June 14, 1864

June 14, 1864

Dear Diary,

I have some good news and some bad news.

First I will tell you the bad news.

Do you remember when I told you that all the newspaper packages we had, got stolen…well I did and I also told you that I had one more sheet that had a couple of small stories on it.

Well…..I finished those small stories and now I have nothing left to tell you.

And since I have no news to tell you…that means I won’t be writing in you anymore.

I mean…I will try to, but there won’t be any point.

I’m really sorry Diary.

But on the plus side…I finished writing my history book.

And now I can show mama and maybe even get it published.

Boy if papa was still here, he would have been so proud of me.

Well anyways…

I guess this is goodbye Diary.

At least for now…

I'll miss you :(

Love,

Samantha Jones

August 22,1863

August 22, 1863

Dear Diary,

I’m back and I am ready to tell you about different battles and treaties.

So today’s stories will have a lot of different stories in them, but they are all about different battles and treaty’s that took place. They are called The Battle of Queenston Heights, The Battle of Put-in-Bay, The Battle of Chateauguay, and The Battle of Lundy’s Lane.

First I will tell you about The Battle of Queenston Heights.

So the battle started on October 13, 1812 at 4 o’clock in the morning. It was Sir Isaac Brock that realized there was an invasion happening at Queenston Heights. So he quickly gathered the small force he had, and led them up hill. When they arrived at Queenston Heights, a musket ball hit Isaac and he was killed. Thankfully, reinforcements came by the afternoon and started the second phase of the battle. (The only difference was; Sir Isaac Brock was replaced by a general named Roger Sheaffe). They also had help from the Haudenosaunee people. Fortunately, Roger and the Haudenosaunee people were powerful enough to get the Americans to withdraw from the battle.

The next story would be about the Battle of Put-in-Bay but it is kind of pointless. So I will tell you the story of The Battle of Chateauguay instead.

So the Battle of Chateauguay took place on October 25, 1813. The Americans wanted to invade Montreal and cut off the supply line between Montreal and Kingston. But unfortunately for the Americans, they had poor leadership and communications. (This one time; the American troops were coming back through the forests, and one of the Americans thought they were invaders, and shot them. Can you believe that Diary!?! One of their own men shot them. I don't know about that guy but if I did that to my own team, I would have a HUGE regret for the rest of my life.

Well, anyways......

To make the long story short, the American were quite idiotic.

They always overestimated the amount of British troops. They always thought that they were outnumbered by the British. (Did you know that they retreated 8 times because they thought they were outnumbered, when they really weren't?) That’s pretty pathetic don't you think?

Well that concludes that story. Let's move on to the next one about The Battle of Lundy's Lane.

So The Battle of Lundy’s Lane is a pretty easy battle to understand. Basically, the Americans were fighting the British in the dark. Both sides fired at their own men and as usual, the Americans withdrew from the fight. While the Americans built their defence at Lake Erie, the British prepared for a second battle; which did not happen. But of course, both sides thought they won because nobody formally lost.

And that’s basically the story of the

Uhhh ohhhh.

I’m really sorry Diary but I just heard mama’s foot steps and I think she is coming towards my room. So I really have to go.

Boy…if mama sees me writing this late, it WILL surely be my last Diary entry.

SO I REALLY HAVE TO GO!!!!!

Love,

Samantha Jones

May 15, 1826

May 15, 1826

Dear Diary,

Today I’m going to really tell you about Isaac Brock and Tecumseh.

First I will tell you about Tecumseh.

Tecumseh was born in 1768, and he was a member of the Shawnee nation, and he and his brother Tenskwatawa built an alliance of First Nations. The brothers were very inspirational and they encouraged the First Nations to protect their land. Tecumseh then allied with Britain against the United States in the war of 1812 and Britain promised to support Tecumseh in his claim to the Western Territory. Then when Tecumseh met Isaac Brock, they became great friends and planned the invasion of Detroit together. On October 5, 1813 Major General Henry Proctor was in charge of British and Canadian forces. Proctor and Tecumseh’s forces were both fighting against the American troops. Unfortunately, Proctor’s supplies went short and he had to retreat the fight, leaving Tecumseh’s and the First Nations to fight alone. They ended up being outnumbered and Tecumseh was shot and killed. Proctor’s decision to retreat got him suspended for six months. And since no one was there to fight the battle the First Nations believed that the British would lose the war. To make a long story short, Tecumseh and his allies helped the British win several battles in the war of 1812. (Tecumseh’s death caused the alliance with the British to end. It also ended most of the First Nations’ resistance to American settlement in the West.)

I know I said I was going to tell you the story of Isaac Brock…but…I don’t really feel like it. Personally, I don’t find him that interesting.

So I guess that’s it for a little while Diary.

I will have to look through a lot of newspapers to find some good stories. Hopefully I will get better ones than the Isaac Brock ones.

Love,

Samantha Jones

May 10, 1826

May 10, 1826

Dear Diary,

I am feeling a bit better about not having a news stand, but I don’t have the confidence I used to. I wish they still had the news stand…just the news stand is ok with me. I don’t need a store…I just need something. Now that I barely have anything to do, I have to go out and help mama in the fields even more often. And we barely get any breaks. And the worst part about not having a news stand is that mama and I don’t have anything in common. Mama was such a quiet person and when papa died, it became worse. The news stand was the only thing that helped me get her to open up. And now that it’s gone, our talking days are over. Can you believe that some day’s mama and I actually don’t talk? Most days are in complete silence, even when we work in the fields.

So I have decided that I will ask mama if I can go talk to Joe about this whole situation and see what he can do about it. But until then…I will just have to use the stories from the newspapers mama and I carried home.

So I will start with the story I didn’t end. You know…the one about Isaac Brock and the Defence of Canada.

So Isaac Brock was a Major General and he was the Administrator of Upper Canada, and he wanted to join the fight against Napoleon. And yeah…then a bunch of things happened and yeah. That’s basically it; that story about him doesn’t really amuse me.

Anyways…I will tell you another story.

But I will tell you tomorrow because mama says break time is over and that I have to go work again.

Tomorrow I will tell you a better story on Isaac Brock and a new story about Tecumseh.

Bye for now Diary.

Love,

Samantha Jones

September 20, 1825

September 20, 1825

Dear Diary,

Today was ONE of the worst days in my life! So today was the grand opening of the news store, and there was a great crowd. I just about squeezed my way to the front, so I could watch as they cut that beautiful red velvet ribbon. They said that once the ribbon was cut, the doors would be open and that everyone was free to go inside. So as I watched in excitement, as the pair of scissors slowly touched the ribbon; an old looking man rode in with his horse. He was holding a letter, and as he rode in, the scissors jumped right of the ribbon. When I saw the look on Joe’s face (Joe owns all the news stands/ stores), I knew something wasn’t right. Then Joe turned to the crowd and read the letter; he said that someone has just shut down his business. And that everyone should return to their homes immediately. I was devastated, and as everyone fled the scene, I quickly ran to the old news stand (that was lying in the middle of the road as a remembrance) and grabbed as many piles of news papers I could find. Then mama saw me and she grabbed as many she could as well. It took us twice as long to get home because we were lugging those heavy news papers. But mama never complained one bit, and as soon as we got home, she sent me to bed and I haven’t fallen asleep yet. I thought I would write in you tomorrow and tell you…but…I just couldn’t get my mind of not having a news stand anymore. So I will tell you what the article on the first page was about.

So the article was about this guy named Isaac Brock, and his Defence of Canada. Actually, I’m not in the mood to tell you right now. I think I will just go to bed and maybe I will tell you tomorrow. (But only if I feel any better)

Boy, I hope mama isn’t in a bad mood tomorrow; she was having so much fun reporting stories with me. We were just starting to have some fun together; you know…we were actually making a bond. And now all my hopes of doing something for papa that actually meant a lot to both of us, is all gone. Why does something bad always have to happen to my family?!!

Love,

Extremely Angry Samantha Jones

September 19, 1825

September 19, 1825

Dear Diary,

Mama took me to the news stand yesterday and guess what?!...mama’s going to take me again tomorrow. But…tomorrow I’m not going to the news stand…I’m going…to….the…news…STORE!!! Yeah, that’s right. Tomorrows the grand opening of the news store. I’ve been waiting for this day ever since I heard of the news stand. Plus, mama said that since I’ve been so helpful around the house and out in the fields, she’s going to let me pick out anything in the store that I would like to have. ANYTHING!!! I just can’t wait till tomorrow. But until then…I’ll just tell you the stories I got yesterday.

So I got this really cool story, but it has some little stories in it. But I will try to make it short Diary.

So my story is called Primary Causes of the War of 1812; here’s my story.

Even though the American Revolution ended in 1783, the issues between Britain and the United States had with each other, never ended.

Now I will tell you all the small stories. They’re called the Impressment, Blockade, and the First Nations Alliances. First I will tell you about the Impressment. (And I will basically sum up the stories because they are quite long, and I have to go to bed soon).  

Have I told you about Napoleon before? Well if I haven’t, he’s a really successful Military leader in France, and his plan was to take over all of Europe.

So anyways…

The British didn’t want Napoleon to cross into England and take over that as well, so the British tried to get a strong army to guard their shores. But since the American Merchant Navy was giving better pay, most of the British’s army went to serve the Merchant Navy instead. (all the people that left the British army were called deserters). Since the British didn’t have a lot of people, they started stopping American ships at sea trying to find their deserters. Sometimes it impressed the American’s and most of the time it made the United States extremely mad.

The other story is about Blockade but it’s not that important so I will just skip it; plus it isn’t very interesting, so it won’t make a difference anyways.

My next story is about the First Nations Alliances.

When the American Revolution ended, the First Nations People kept a large territory for themselves. (They didn’t want the Americans to expand and take their land, so they made their own territory just for them). The Americans were quite mad at the British because they thought that the British were the ones that encouraged the First Nations People to be violent towards them. And then the paper said something about this guy named Tecumseh, but I don’t really know what he did. (Plus, I can’t even remember the story).

Well, that’s all for now Diary, but I will have plenty to tell you tomorrow when they open the news store.

Love,

Samantha Jones

August 2, 1824

August 2, 1824

Dear Diary,

I haven’t really gotten a lot of news. Well I still have a lot that I wrote down when mama took me to the news stand but…all the ones I have left are the ones mama recorded for me. And to be honest…they are so boring. I mean she wrote down stories about timber wood and discovering the foundations of your community. I mean…did she honestly think I would be interested in those stories? Well to make matters worse, mama never got the chance to read my stories or see how I develop them. So today, she decided to watch me write them in you Diary. And I couldn’t say that I thought her news stories were boring right in front of her. So I wrote the stories in my notebook, that way it would seem like I was writing in you. And since mama never saw me write my stories before, she didn’t know the difference between you and my notebook. It was kind of funny seeing her being tricked so easily…but…I felt really bad about lying to her. So to make myself feel a little bit better about what I did, I will write her stories in you as well.

The first one I will tell you is about timber.

In British North America, the timber industries were higher than ever because England needed timber for many different reasons. (They needed it for paper, for building ships and houses, shoes, eating utensils, furniture, wagons, and jewelry).

*I personally think it would be kind of cool to walk around wearing jewelry made out of wood.

Anyways…I should get back to the story.

So where was I…oh yeah…lumber.

So meanwhile, the lumber industry’s workers were living in isolated camps near the St. Lawrence River, the Saint John River, and the Ottawa River. They were cutting down trees and turning the logs into squares so that they would be easier to pack on ships.

And yeah…that’s pretty much it. I don’t think there was anything else mama wrote down about timber and lumber. (Thank goodness)

Now I will tell you the other story about…about…something to do with our community. (I forget what it’s called).

Here’s the story…well…it’s not really a story. It’s just a bunch of questions mama wanted me to answer because she thought my answers might be interesting. But I’m not going to tell you my answers; I will just tell you some of the questions and my favourite answer I told mama. So the questions were basically asking you what you daydream about and why you want to remember things in the past. So my favourite answer I said was answering the question that asked, “Why do you want to remember people or events from the past?”

And I replied with “sometimes I wish I didn’t remember things from the past; like papa’s death and how it happened, and even how we had to move houses. But I do like some memories, especially the ones that happened only because of the bad times we had as a family. If we didn’t move, I wouldn’t have started to write in you Diary, and I wouldn’t have known about the news stand, then I wouldn’t know how good of a writer I was, and how I was going to write a book. So even though we all have some bad memories…I would just like to state that I would still love to remember them, than try not to at all. After all memories have a part in making us who we are.”

And that’s what I told mama. I think it answered the question but she was staring at me the whole time I was speaking, so whatever came out of my mouth was put on paper.

And that’s all I have for now Diary.

Love,

Samantha Jones

July 4, 1822

July 4, 1822

Dear Diary,

Ever since the war got over, mama has going out to work in the fields again. She seems to be doing alright but now I have to work in the fields with her as well. We normally come in to nap at around 5 pm but I am going to write instead. (And just because I’m writing, doesn’t mean I’m not tired, so I’m going to write some things in point form).

I never got to finish some of the stories from the news stand but I will do my best to get one done today. So when I was at the news stand, I read a story about agriculture and I thought it was quite interesting. So I will tell you that story today and hopefully I will get the chance to tell you the other ones soon. Agriculture was important to Upper Canada and Lower Canada.

[Ok, I’m going to start writing in point form now]

In Upper Canada

• Farms were more developed.
• They planted crops in between tree stumps.
• When the stumps rotted, they could remove them and plant other crops like oats. (I don’t get why they couldn’t remove them in the first place but…whatever…they probably know what’s best.

In Lower Canada

• Many families had been on their farms since New France.
• British settlers farmed around them.
• And I think that’s it.

Ok Diary, I really have to go because I m so tired I can barley keep my head up and write. So I guess I will see you next time.

Bye for now :)

Love,

Samantha Jones

June 30, 1822

June 30, 1822

Dear Diary,

It’s been a very, very long time since I last wrote in you. Ok, ok, it’s been like 26 years (or something like that) since I last wrote in you. But you’re lucky I still have you; mama was about to throw you out!

Anyways…

Like mama promised, she took me to the news stand everyday, and she even wrote down some news she thought I would like.

So…

You better brace yourself for the weeks worth of news you’re about to hear.

I’ll start with telling you about the Fur Trade Competition.

Well I think you’ve heard of the Hudson Bay Company; I call it HBC for short. You know, I always thought that trading was boring. I mean, all you do is give people fur in exchange for something like…I don’t know…food…or tools. Turns out, it’s a lot different than that.

So there are two different systems; one in the north and one in the south. The Montreal based trade is run by partnerships of England and Scots, and they competed against one another and HBC. Then a group of traders from Montreal joined forces and called themselves the North West Company. So my point is that HBC and the North West Company was having a huge fur trade competition and in 1783, the North West Company DOMINATED the fur trade. Since the North West Company was getting top quality furs, HBC was forced to leave Hudson Bay and try to start a new trading post.

But there are still a lot of traders I forgot to mention. There are the Métis people, Alexander Mackenzie, Simon Fraser, and David Thompson.

I will tell you a little about each one of them.

So the Métis people were very successful because their fathers were French coureurs de bois or Scottish traders, and their mothers were First Nations people. That is what gave the Métis people a strong trading advantage.

I didn’t really write about Alexander Mackenzie because I thought his story was kind of boring.

As for Simon Fraser and David Thompson, they went west of the Rocky Mountains and opened a new trading post there.

And you know how I told you that the North West Company dominated the HBC…well…both the companies ended up joining forces and some how the North West Companies went out of business. (I have no idea how that happened).

And that’s all for now Diary. I will get back to you tomorrow.

Love,

Samantha Jones

July 28, 1798

July 28, 1798

Dear Diary,

Remember how I told you about the war that was going to start. Well…I started awhile ago and mama and I are pretty scared. Usually, papa would tell us that everything was going to be ok. Now mama tries…but I can still see the fear in her eyes. She doesn’t even go work in the fields anymore. Now all we do is lock ourselves up in the house while we wait for a brave neighbour to come give us some news. I really hope this war ends soon.

Love,

Samantha Jones

P.S. it is too dangerous to go to the news stand now, so I don’t have any news to tell you. But mama and I agreed that I won’t be writing in you till the war ends, but she did promise that once it ends; we will go to the news stand every day for a week. That means I will have a ton of news to tell you soon.

See you later Diary.

June 17, 1793

June 17, 1793

Dear Diary,

Sorry I never finished my story earlier…but I was kind of busy…and this time it isn’t just chores like animal feeding…it’s taking care of my family. You know how papa was always working in the fields. Well one day he wasn’t feeling well so he came inside early…and as he was about to sit down…he fainted and didn’t wake up till the next day. It was really scary and mama and I thought we lost him. While he was sleeping, mama told me to go in to town and see if anyone knew first aid. When I got someone and came home…they said that papa had smallpox and that he is one of the lucky ones. Smallpox is deadly and can kill you quickly if you are not being treated…well I’m pretty sure that’s how it works…mama won’t tell me anything about it and every time I ask her she just screams at me and tells me to go to my room. A few months after papa got it…he passed away. I can’t get over the fact that he’s gone. But before he passed, I was in his room…with him…and he said “I’m sorry I haven’t been able to raise you and care for you as much as your mother. Don’t be mad at me but the other day I saw you writing in your notebook and while you were sleeping…I went through it. You are an amazing writer and I want you to continue writing your book. Don’t let the chores, the work, and mama get in the way of you. Because we both know how she is sometimes”. Then he told me to finish the book in honor of him. Then papa gave me his cross he had gotten from his father when he was a child and said “Whenever you think of me or get a stuck at a cross road, just hold on to that cross and know that I am always with you.” The next day papa passed. Now mama has to work in the fields all day to pay the taxes, and I have to feed the animals, cook breakfast, lunch and dinner, milk the cows, collect the eggs, clean up in the barn, do the dishes, and clean up in the house. And every time I complain, mama brings up papa and how he worked every day of his life without a word. It’s been hard writing again but I know that I have to finish my stories for papa. I will try my best to find time Diary.

Love,

Samantha Jones

August 26, 1793

Dear Diary,

I think we should catch up where we left off…you know…the story of John Graves Simcoe. Well I think I promised you his story a long time ago, so here it is.

A little while after Simcoe went to York, he had drawn his plans and since he and his wife lived in York, York became the base for the government and the colony’s capital. And remember the time I told you about Sir Guy Carleton; well he didn’t really agree about making York the capital of the colony, he preferred Kingston instead. And yeah that’s it I think.

Oh wait, how could I forget? Simcoe needed settlers for Upper Canada and now they are talking about some war that is about to start. I hope it isn’t another seven years long thing because then it would take me a long time to write back. So until next time…

Love,

Samantha Jones

September 10, 1792

September 10, 1792

Dear Diary,

I have been sneaking out to the news stand almost every day. I feel really bad about lying to mama and papa…but…I have no choice. I know my plan was a one hit wonder but…I can’t help myself. It’s a win win + an extra win. 1: I get great stories for my book. 2: I get sooooo much exercise from walking there and back- hence- it’s HEALTHY for me. 3: I get to meet new people and make new friends.

Oh, and guess what Diary!

The news stand is getting really busy and crowded…so…they…are…making…a…NEWS…STORE!!!!!!!!

Can you believe it?!?!

Now they aren’t just going to sell news papers; they are going to sell postcard, stamps, and handy nick- knacks.

How great is that???

Ok, I’ll tell you…IT’S AMAZING!!!

Well anyways…

To get to the point, I have been taking a notebook to the news stand and writing down all the important news. So I think I should record them in you right now. The first story I got is STILL about Loyalists. And I hope you aren’t the kind of Diary that gets bored easily because Loyalist stories are in right now. Plus I don’t really care because I’m going to write the stories in you anyways…whether you like it or not.

But I will still try to make them more interesting.

Ok Diary, I will start off with the stories that I never got a chance to record. I will do my best with remembering so…bare with me. :)

Ok well…a bunch of Loyalists were upset that they weren’t getting enough attention, so they sent a letter to the British Government and they replied with a yes to the Constitutional Act of 1791. Well I know you hate these stories so to make the long story short; the Constitutional Act divided Quebec into two different parts, Upper Canada and Lower Canada. And then they talked about the different governments and how they work, and a bunch of other stuff like that. But I don’t really listen to it because I don’t know what it means. And I know what you’re thinking Diary…you’re thinking that I should still listen and tell my parents about it so they know how the Government works, and you’re probably thinking that I’m really dumb right now. Well think again because if I told my parents about that, they would say…well sweetie, how do you know that. And then I would be …BUSTED…Dun dun dun. So yeah…end of story.

Anyways…my next story is on John Graves Simcoe.

This one I actually wrote down Diary so it might be a bit long.

So John’s career actually started when he married a wealthy woman named Elizabeth Posthuma Gwillim. After he got married, he was appointed Lieutenant Governor of Upper Canada. When Simcoe went to the capital of the colony-Newark- he realized that it was very close to the American boarder and that it would be an easy target for war. In other words…he thought that Newark wasn’t the best idea for the capital of the colony. Simcoe had many dreams that he wanted to fulfill. He wanted to build a colony like England and he wanted it to be called London; he even reserved land for it. Another dream Simcoe had was building a military base in York because York was far from the American Boarder.

Well it’s getting kind of late Diary and I have to wake up early to milk the cows. I know I know…EVEN MORE CHORES.

Well I promise I will finish the story tomorrow.

Love,

Samantha Jones

February 4, 1792

February 4, 1792

Dear Diary,

I know it’s been awhile but mama says that the crops are not sprouting as much as they used to, so she has been helping papa 24/7. I barely get to see them now. The only thing I do is make them lemonade, feed the animals and clean up around the house. Life has gotten so boring. And to make matters worse; mama hasn’t been going to the news stand, that means no more stories, and that means no more book dreams. That is why I have decided to go to the news stand myself. Mama and papa would kill me if I even asked to go to the news stand by myself. I don’t know if I can do this but I will do it for the sake of my book. Plus I have it all planned out. It takes one hour to walk to the news stand, then I have to get some great news, then I have to come back home before mama and papa come inside, and before it gets dark. I don’t think they will suspect anything. I will write a note saying I have gone for a walk because I am not feeling well and that I needed some fresh air. Hopefully everything will work out as I planned.

Wish me luck Diary :)

Love,

Bold Samantha Jones

February 4, 1792

Dear Diary,

I kind of got a little side tracked at the news stand. Ok by a little side tracked I mean a lot. And by a lot I mean I came home two hours later than I had planned.

Thankfully, mama and papa where still working in the fields.

Anyways…enough about my scheme.

When I was at the news stand; I heard these great stories. They were about Thomas Peters and the Sierra Leone Company, and Thayendangea.

First I will tell you the story of the Thomas Peters and the Sierra Leone Company.

When the American Revolution ended, Thomas Peters and many other Black Pioneers went to Nova Scotia. In 1971, Black Loyalists were having trouble getting farms because they weren’t getting paid enough. Peters wrote many petitions on behalf of the Black Loyalists; but they were all rejected; even when he went to the Crown in England. When peter was inLondon, he spotted the Sierra Leone Company, which was run by abolitions. After a lot of thought, many Black Loyalists traveled to Sierra Leone and called it the “Province of Freedom.” In 1792, Thomas convinced 1100 people to go to Sierra Leone. The people struggled with many different problems for many years.

And that was all I really heard about Thomas Peters and the Sierra Leone Company.

Let me tell you the story of Thayendanegea.

Thayendanegea traveled in disguise through rebel-controlled countryside to Haudenosaunee territory. He convinced them to support the British during the Seven Years’ War. They assisted the British in successful battles and the British ignored them. In the Peace Treaty of Paris, Britain transferred it’s claimed land as far west as the Mississippi River to the Americans. The First Nations people were upset because they didn’t want to give their land to the United States, so Thayendanegea went to London to petition for his people. Thanks toThayendanegea, Britain agreed to provide land for his allies. On October 25, 1784, Frederick Haldimand granted land to Britains allies. It is now known and called the Haldimand Proclomation. And then Thayendanegea and a lot of First Nations people did something; but I can’t seem to remember what it was. Hopefully I’ll remember; then I can tell you next time I get more news. But for now…I have to go make my parents lemonade…what a life huh Diary :p

Love,

Sneaky Samantha Jones

January 3, 1787

January 3, 1787

Dear Diary,

Remember I was telling you about the Loyalists and how we had to leave our home; well…I did and I didn’t tell you everything…so let me tell you more. Well as you know I got mama to open up (she doesn’t like to talk about the past because my grandfather was forced to fight in the war. He past away a long time ago, and then my grandmother died of depression. It was a really sad time and ever since; there was a part of mama that died too. To know that she can talk to me about anything now; makes me feel like the happiest girl in the world. *it also makes great stories for my book.)

Yesterday she told me more about the Loyalists. Ever since we moved here, mama has been going to the news stands and coming home with amazing stories.

Well anyways… mama told me that the Loyalists in Nova Scotia are having a really tough time surviving. Mama also told me that the British army had to teach them survival skills and supply food. But in Quebec; Loyalists were getting land for free. The British have been supporting the Loyalists for a while now and mama says that the support won’t last very long.

Then mama talked to me about the Black Loyalists. She said they were former slaves from the Thirteen Colonies. Mama said that when the American Revolution ended; 3000 slaves went to Nova Scotia. Since Black Loyalists were the last ones to receive tools and supplies, it was hard for them to build shelters. Most of them had to work for other settlers; that meant living out of town on poor lands. It is very sad and disappointing when you here that Black people aren’t getting the same rites as me. I wish we could all get treated equally, but when I told that to mama she said that there’s nothing we can do about it. Then she told me that all we could do is hope and go to sleep. Then she turned my light off and walked out of my room.

So until next time Diary…

Love,

Samantha Jones

August 13, 1783

August 13, 1783

Dear Diary,

Remember when I told you that mama wouldn’t tell me any stories. Well I finally drove her crazy and she told me all the stories I asked about. They were stories about Loyalists. Their names were Munson Jarvis, Sarah Frost, Thomas Peters, James Robertson, and Jacob Waggoner.

Mama only told me about Munson Jarvis and Sarah Frost.

First mama told me about Munson Jarvis. She said he was a silversmith and that he was a very enthusiastic Loyalist. The Revolutionary Committees questioned him several times. Not long after; he was imprisoned. In 1776, he escaped to Long Island, New York and worked for the British. When the Revolution ended, he and his family had to leave the United States as well. They went to Parrtown, Nova Scotia.

Then mama told me about Sarah Frost.

Sarah’s parents believed in the rebels, but Sarah and her husband did not. During the Revolution, they were forced to leave their homes. When the Revolution ended, Frost, her husband, and their 2 children moved to British territory. From there she boarded the Two Sisters and set sail. Frost and her husband ended up settling in Norton, Nova Scotia.

Mama never told me the stories of Thomas Peters, James Robertson, and Jacob Waggoner because she thinks she’s told me enough about the Revolution. (But I will probably get it out of her sooner or later). Well that’s all for now. Mama says I have to go milk the cow.

I will hopefully see you tomorrow Diary.

Love,

Samantha Jones

  

April 24, 1782

April 24, 1782

Dear Diary,

The American Revolution is over and the British ended up losing. Now all the people that wanted the British to win; have to leave their homes.

My parents didn’t want to tell me who they wanted to win, so I didn’t have to worry if they won or lost. But now we are being forced to move and I have no idea where they expect us to go. All I know is that my journey will be long and I don’t know when I will get the chance to write. But I promise I will do my best Diary.

Love,

Sad Samantha Jones

July 8, 1782

Dear Diary,

We’ve bought some new land. It’s a farm; and dad is working from morning till night. Mom has given me more chores than you can imagine. She believes that the harder we work now, the faster we will get this place up and running. I find that completely unfair because I never get to do anything for myself, or for fun, I don’t even get a chance to try and make new friends that can help me with my stories. Right now I am writing to you in my bathroom. Boy, if mama sees me writing instead of working…she’ll flip.

Well anyways…I’m on a time limit so here’s my news. (Well it’s more like facts and gossip I hear at the store).

So here they are.

Can you believe that about 70 000 Loyalists left the United States. It is really, really, sad when you think about it. But you can’t blame the loyalists for believing in Britain. Mamma says that most of them had reasons, but when I ask her what they are she said "you don’t need to know. It’s not important anymore. The Revolution is over and all that has happened is in the past." I keep begging her to tell me because I think they will be great stories for my journal, maybe even and article in the news paper, or even a history text book for children. Pft! Like that will ever happen. A history text book; yeah right.

Well anyways I will see if I can get mama to tell me. But until then…I have to go do my chores.

Doesn’t that sound like fun Diary?

Love,

Samantha Jones

October 19, 1774 (continued)

...


October 19, 1774

Dear New Notebook,

Carleton’s Recommendations (the Quebec Act) were passed just a few days ago. And it kind of ruined the plan of assimilating the French. Well that’s the big news so far. There hasn’t really been a lot going on so I don’t know when I will write to you next.

That’s all I have so far.

Love,

Samantha Jones

 April 3, 1775

Dear New Notebook,

Remember I was telling you about the Quebec Act? Well, the act kind of ignored the Thirteen Colonies, and gave the Ohio Valley to Quebec instead. The Thirteen Colonies are really upset and have wanted that land for decades. I felt really sorry for them until…I heard they were planning a revolt. They tried to get Quebec and Nova Scotia on their side but, neither of them wanted to get involved. Not long after they began a war (Britain and the Thirteen Colonies). And the Thirteen Colonies weren’t doing very well.

Love,

Samantha Jones

June 18, 1775

Dear New Notebook,

Ever since the war between Britain and the Thirteen Colonies began; many people have been in danger. Even the people that tried to stay in the middle would still, be targeted for abuse. I mean ridiculous. There was this guy from New Jersey, Thomas Randolph, and he was kind of being a traitor to his country, and do you know what they did to him? They stripped him, then covered him in tar and feathers, then put him in a wagon and sent him out on the streets. I mean, don’t you think that’s a little uncalled for? Well whatever; what can I do now.

Well anyways…the war is still going strong so I don’t know when I will write back, but it will most likely be when the war is over, so until then…

Love,

Samantha Jones

March 7, 1776

March 7, 1776

Dear Diary,

It’s been a really, really long time since I last wrote to you but…it’s not all my fault that I lost you...it’s only been…like…I don’t know…10…13 years now.

Well anyways…

I have a lot of news to tell you. So when I misplaced you, I wrote a couple of entries in my notebook about the years, and the news I have received…you know…in case I forgot.

Well these are the notes.

 March 12, 1776

 Dear Notebook,

I don’t know this exactly but there’s a rumor going around saying that Sir Guy Carleton is planning something called the Quebec act. It has something to do with becoming allies with the French. I don’t know if Carleton will do it or not, but if he does; there’s no telling how long it will take.

September 22, 1766

Dear Notebook,

I got some more news. Last year the Stamp Act was passed by the British Parliament, and it made colonists pay an extra tax for all the printed paper they used. Then they used that money to pay for defending the colonies. Well to make long story short; the Thirteen Colonies got really, really mad and organized a boycott.

The British finally cancelled the act. (Like a few days ago)

Then the British made another tax on imported tea. They called it the Boston Tea Party. Can you believe how many taxes they are making? And since the Thirteen Colonies were upset, they made their own slogan. It was “No Taxation without Representation!”  Well that’s all for now.

Love,

Samantha Jones

TO BE CONTINUED...

February 15, 1763

Dear Diary,

It’s been a little while since I wrote but I have some great stories to tell you. Britain has just issued a Royal Proclamation-like a few days ago- that recognizes the First Nations rights to the land. It also has something to do with the North American territories, Britain, and something about the Treaty of Paris. They want peace with the First Nations and they also want to assimilate the French in Quebec. (It has something to do with their British ways. I don’t really know ALL the details). You know it’s hard sneaking around collecting different news, while you just lie there on my desk, waiting to be written in. And to make my job even harder, this year has to be the most busy/hectic year of all.

Well anyways…that’s the main news I got. My dad usually comes home with some stories that I…sometimes use. But he hasn’t gotten home yet and we’re about to eat dinner…speaking of dinner…I have to go but I’ll be back in half an hour.

…………………………..HALF AN HOUR LATER………………………

Ok…I’m back and surprisingly, my dad had some pretty good news. (I mean, who would have thought?) Anyways…it turns out that the assimilation of the French isn’t working out as they thought it would. The people are getting really upset about Britain’s rules and laws. A lot of people are complaining about Governor James Murray, and how he favors the French. And when everyone thought the new Governor Carleton could do something about it…he treats the French as his favourite too.

Well…unfortunately I don’t have any more news for today but I will get back to you as soon as I can.

Love,

Samantha Jones

February 7th, 1763

Dear Diary,
It's my first day on the job and I've already learned so much. It turns out that the war between Britain and New France is finally over. Can you believe it was seven years long? Well unfortunately for New France, Britain won, and I heard the French are not too happy about it. But on the bright side...the French language and culture remains stronger than ever, and the French people in Quebec will NOT become British.
Well anyways... the Thirteen Colonies separated from Britain and like...yeah...that's the main news going around. And apparently, The First Nations people continue to live in the Ohio Valley because they don't feel conquered. Can you believe that?
Anyways...today i traveled to Ohio Valley to see what was going on. While i was there I overheard the First Nations saying that they thought the British were being disrespectful towards them. So they said that they were going to talk to the leader of the Odawa First Nations (I think his name was Pontiac, but I’m not sure). They also said something about forming an alliance. Then they took their weapons and invaded many British forts. It was getting pretty serious so i decided to leave early.
I'm not sure what the British are planning to do back, but i don't know if they'll be ready.
Well, that's all for now Diary.
I'll get back to you as soon as i get some news.
See you soon :)

Love,

Soon to be journalist...Samantha Jones