Written By Alice Gibb
William Porte’s diaries have been extensively quoted by almost anyone writing about the Donnelly tragedies. But they are also an invaluable source of information about life (and death) in Lucan from the 1870s until 1898.
Porte, the postmaster in Lucan, wanted to record the world around him – both with his family and the larger community. His observations can be read in Passing into Oblivion: The Diaries of William Porte, Lucan Ontario (edited by Glenn and Greg Stott and published in 2009). Until this publication, the hand-written diaries could only be accessed in the archives at Weldon Library, on the UWO campus.
As Porte grew older, and his children married or moved away, family Christmas celebrations changed. Note that they are much quieter than festivities today. The following are direct quotes from the Porte diaries:
Monday, Dec. 25, 1882 – “Christmas Day passed off very quietly, no amusement of any kind going on worth naming. Myself, Mr. Dight, Has. Watt and J. Windsor played Euchre in the afternoon which was all the amusement I had during the day.”
Wednesday, Dec. 19, 1883 – “I am sixty years of age today. Feel as healthy and smart as I have in 30 years. Shipped Alice’s (his daughter) goods to Brown City today, two barrels and one small box with weight 545 lbs. containing household goods and wedding presents.”
Tuesday, Dec. 25, 1883 – “Christmas Day rather a lonesome one. George, Alice and Emma (his children) away. Alice for good and all. Spent the whole day in the office writing to some friends…Scarcely a soul in or out all day. Had the absent ones been all home there would have been some stir but as it was, ‘twas lonesome enough. However such things must be.”
Wednesday, Dec. 26, 1883 – “Went down to Parkhill this evening, myself, Maud, Mary, and Maggie Harrigan, to hear Miss Reidy sing at Father Corcoran’s Bazaar. Had a splendid time, got all the singing we wanted at Father Corcoran’s residence after the Concert was over…We did not leave until one o’clock Thursday morning and got home limp enough at seven a.m. in the morning without having a wink (of) sleep all night.”
Thursday, Dec. 25, 1884 – “Christmas Day passed over very quietly. Weather fine, pretty cold, first rate sleighing. Neither George nor Mrs. Windsor came home. Emma here from Toronto and all the rest of the family…We went to church forenoon and had game of Euchre this afternoon.”
Tuesday, Dec. 30, 1884 – “Masonic Ball in the Town Hall this evening. 53 paid couples put in an appearance. Quite a success.”
Friday, Dec. 25, 1885 – “Christmas Day passed off very quietly. No snow or sleighing but splendid wheeling (bicycling), very fine day. All the family here except George away in Nebraska. Mrs. Lamb here to dinner.”
