1939 - 1941 ORIGINAL MANUSCRIPT HOMEFRONT DIARY HANDWRITTEN BY A YOUNG SOUTHWESTERN ONTARIO GIRL-NEXT-DOOR DETAILING A LIFE OF BAKE SALES, CUTTING HAY AND THE VERY OCCASIONAL BRUTAL MURDER

On offer is an interesting and rather charming original handwritten diary kept by a farm woman in Springbrook, a tiny farming community in Hastings County, Ontario during the initial years of WWII. Written in a simple school child's notebook, the mostly pencil entries cover the period from May 1st, 1939 until Oct 25, 1941. The book is in good condition. There are 64 pages and it is 100 % complete. The entries are brief but give a clear look into life on an Ontario farm at the outset of the war. The long days and hard work are evident from virtually the first page. The part of Ontario where she lives is difficult farming country and life would have been hard. Yet despite the difficulties, this woman had a solid circle of friends and family. These relationships come alive in the pages of this notebook. I mended, set up hay. Ellen in a while. We baking, [July 11, 1939] Russel Reed here drawing in hay. I painted bottoms shelf of cupboard, chair bottoms and pump. [July 15, 1939]. I washed, Orris [her husband] started to cut his timothy hay south of barn, well driller came again -struck rock this time [July 17, 1939] cider mill real busy. I swept house, cleaned up, ... kids home - Teacher convention. Dug rest of potatoes on farm, pulled beans Orris ground Ray's cider. I made pumpkin pies, cakes. Went to town. Lois got her hat and sox etc [Oct 7, 1939] Our anniversary here at Springbrook. All went to church a.m and p.m. Mr. Wood is our minister [Oct 29, 1939] April Fools I washing and ironed, piled wood, Velma and I went to Hall for music concert [April 1, 1940] I cut potatoes - 3 bags. put more nuwall on upstairs ceiling. ready to paint floor now [Apr 23, 1940] Virtually all entries revolve around life on the farm and interactions with local people. She does note outside event such as when she simply stated on Sept 3rd War declared. Six months later, she noted the arrest of a neighbour for the murder of another farm couple: Fred Thain confessed that he murdered Mr. and Mrs. Wellman. Feb 3rd. That entry is sandwiched between a comment about getting a letter and 2 loads of wood being drawn. On the 6th, she noted she purchased some items from the murdered couple's home, confirming that she lived in the vicinity (Springbrook is about 6 miles away). For a researcher into gender studies or social history, this is an outstanding look into the life of a farm wife in early 20th century Ontario. Her day begins early and continues through a non-stop succession of tasks and jobs until her day is done. It is a busy life but a sense of accomplishment comes through and there is no doubt that she is part of a close community.