Sunday, November 18, 2012

Abstinence Tour of Robert Marshall (1819-1891) – Journal Entry of 4th and 5th October 1839


4th October l839

The whole of the day was spent in study.  In the evening according to appointment.  I lectured in the Methodist Chapel.  The house was not full, although a considerable number were present.  During the lecture a female of the name of McKay who is connected with a public house came to the door and kicked it with her feet.  When the lecture (which lasted about 2 hours) was over, another 5 signed the Pledge.

5th October l839

This day I forwarded Bills to Aberdeen per carrier.  In the afternoon I along with Mr. Rankin Sheriff's Clerk went out in a small boat to the Dilse.  The sea was very calm, but the tide not being retired sufficiently, made the attaining of our object rather a dangerous matter.  We went into a place almost surrounded by perpendicular rocks, and in the form of a cavern.   I believe the cave like place goes a great way into the rock, here we got excellent dilse but could not hold the boat for a sufficient length of time to enable us to stir up a quantity as was purposed.  On reaching the town I went through most of the streets with Mr. Rankin.

In the evening I attended the weekly meeting of the Mason Lodge.  It was crowded to suffocation almost.  I sang 5 or 6 songs and made a short address to them, another 5 names were added to the Society.

Typed by Betty Kay 11th May 1996, from Dan Marshall`s notes of the original journal.  Permission to reprint granted by Morris Kay, 25 June, 2012.

©2012, copyright Alana Farrell

Quebec Family History Society - Upcoming Events


The Quebec Family History Society will be hosting a Seminar, Social Event, Free Public Lecture, December, 2012.
 
All information is detailed below.
 
Saturday, December 1
 
A Genealogical Day in Scotland: 1500-2012 (Seminar)
 
10:00 am to 3:00 pm - Quebec Family History Society Heritage Centre and Library, 173 Cartier Avenue, Pointe-Claire, QC H9J 4H9
 
Presented by Jackie Billingham, Susan Gingras and Gary Schroder
 
Learn about the major sources used in in Scottish genealogical research from civil registrations to Kirk records, and from censuses to probate records. Participants will learn how to correctly use the information available on the Scotland’s People website and what strategies to use when planning a research trip to Scotland.
 
Fee: $30.00 members; $40.00 non-members.
 
Reservations are required. Call 514.695.1502 or contact Jackie Billingham at qfhs.communications@bellnet.ca
 
Wednesday, December 5
 
Celebrating Our Military Roots Day - Afternoon & Evening
 
Afternoon 1:00 pm to 4:30 pm - Evening 6:30pm to 9:30 pm
 
Quebec Family History Society Heritage Centre and Library, 173 Cartier Avenue, Pointe-Claire, QC H9J 4H9
 
Join us for the first in a series of monthly Celebrating Our Roots Days.
 
Drop by for coffee, tea, and informal conversation. Share your research and learn what others have discovered about their ancestors who served in the military.
 
Joining us in the afternoon will be Earl John Chapman, author of several military history books, including "Canada's Black Watch: Legacies of Gallantry and Service."
 
Bring your favourite military books to show others. On display we will feature books from the QFHS military collection for you to browse and borrow. Also on display will be members' military memorabilia.
 
So, bring along copies of your military letters, photos, service records, medals, coffee mug, a friend, or just bring yourself.
 
Open to members and the public.  Please visit our web site @ www.qfhs.ca
 
Saturday, December 8
 
An Insider's View of the Institut généalogique Drouin (Free Public Lecture)
 
10:30 am to 12:00 pm - Briarwood Presbyterian Church Hall, 70 Beaconsfield Blvd., Beaconsfield, QC H9W 3Z3.  Visit www.qfhs.ca
 
Presented by Sébastien Robert
 
Sébastien Robert, vice-president at the Institut généalogique Drouin will provide us with a unique opportunity to learn from an insider what the Drouin records offer family historians.
 
Until the late 1900s, church registers in Quebec were the source of birth, marriage and burial records. Every year, all churches were required to send a copy of their registers to the appropriate courthouse. During the 1940s, these records were filmed by the Institut généalogique Drouin.
 
Members and non-members are invited to attend and stay afterward for refreshments and conversation.

©2012, copyright Alana Farrell

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Abstinence Tour of Robert Marshall (1819-1891) – Journal Entry of 3rd October 1839

I spent the greater part of this day in writing tee-total songs for the people of Bervie.  In the afternoon, I took the coach for Stonehaven.  But here again I suffered a silent ride.  However the distance was not great.  It only cost me 4/- this juant.  In Stonehaven I was kindly received.  Got lodgings of a Mr. Bowman, a grocer.  In the evening I lectured to a large audience in the Methodist Chapel, about 2 hours.  Four names were added.  I proposed to lecture next night in the same place.

Typed by Betty Kay 11th May 1996, from Dan Marshall`s notes of the original journal.  Permission to reprint granted by Morris Kay, 25 June, 2012.
 
©2012, copyright Alana Farrell

Sunday, November 4, 2012

Abstinence Tour of Robert Marshall (1819-1891) – Journal Entry of 1st and 2nd October 1839

Due to heavy work load at work and other commitments, it has been a long while since I have posted a journal entry.  Time to get back on track!

The pages from September 27th – September 30th are missing from the journal, so we start up again with the entry from October 1, 1839.  Since this entry is short, I’m also posting the entry for October 2nd.

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lst October l839

I spent the greater part of the day in study, and in the evening I went out to Lochside, where I lectured to a most attentive audience chiefly composed of females, about 2 hours.  This Society is flourishing.  Nearly all the inhabitants of the district are members.  I was earnestly requested to leave a Song I had wrote with Mr. Troup that they might publish it which I promised to do.

2nd October l839

I finished the Song and left it with Mr. Troup as promised.  About 2 o'clock p.m. I went to the Coach Office and with difficulty obtained a seat for Bervie.  But here I paid for my whistle as in most other places I have done.  Alas!  I pity the poor traveller who has nothing to depend on but the conversations of his companions.  In my case however the matter was different, for I but seldom court the conversation of those who travel with me.  The scenery being almost new to me, I had enough ado with it and considering the important work in which I was engaged without giving any attention to the dull morose companions who travelled with me.  Another 3 were in the Coach, an old lady with a face for the world like a shrivelled white clout with a pair of spectacles on her grey eyes, in which beamed pride in a most horrifying degree.  I was relieved from this silent deformity about Lauriston.  The next was an old gentleman little better.  Pride seemed to be his chief virtue, and the last was a young lady, who perhaps like myself, was too much taken up with personalities to care much about her companions.  She employed her time in reading.  Not a word passed the whole l3 miles and I was happy on reaching Bervie at finding myself relieved of such a Society. The payment of 5/- for my ride together with these circumstances put me in a rather bad humour, but the scene was not long in shifted.  I was scarcely landed when I had to encounter a Taylor on the subject of the Charter.  This man was also a curiosity.  He was one of those who make a virtue of a necessity, for example he got so very high in the discussion that he believed he would do better were he to get on his feet, and in attempting to rise for this laudable purpose he brought the chair in which he sat which had but the greater part of the seat up with him.  And all that he could make of this occurrence was to ask me if I could play that?  My gravity forsook me as I witnessed the old fool walking through the floor with the pride of some heathen prince, carrying the chair after him without the assistance of his hands.

My Bills had reached, and were circulated, and I sent the Bellman through the town.  The meeting was held about 7 o'clock in Mr. McKenzies Chapel.  The attendance was numerous, and very attentive.  I lectured nearly 3 hours without any opposition but from a Drunken Saddler, who growled like a Bear in a cage, who could not possibly get at his prey.  I was most kindly treated by a Robert Barclay, and his family.

There are about 200 members here. The sect. has weekly meetings.  They are starting a Band and have got an excellent Drum, and a few other instruments.

Altogether my visit to Bervie gives me much satisfaction, and I hope has been productive of some good.

Typed by Betty Kay 11th May 1996, from Dan Marshall`s notes of the original journal.

©2012, copyright Alana Farrell