JANUARY
Rev Pringle opens library at Hope – Peter O’Reilly pays subscription and entrance fee its use – discussions with miners about new 1859 mining rules.
FEBRUARY
Issues mining licences and records claims up and down Fraser River – Hope town lots laid out by Royal Engineers.
MARCH
Peter sets up animal traps and frequently inspects them – attends church services and discusses funding of a church and rectory – issues court summonses and holds court – writes to Mamsey in Ireland – Gov Douglas offers £1500 to build a trail to the Similkameen – Peter becomes treasurer of committee to raise funds for Quaquealla (Coquihalla) River bridge near Hope.
APRIL
Contractor selected to build Coquihalla bridge – Peter inspects bridge progress – plants vegetable garden including potatoes – purchases newly created town lots in Hope.
MAY
Meets with Gov Douglas to discuss repairs to Boston Bar trail and an expedition to the Similkameen – Douglas tours British Columbia with stops at New Westminster, Fort Langley, Port Douglas, Hope, and Yale – Peter partakes in Governor’s luncheon – “I dont think I shall ever get reconciled to remain out here.”
JUNE
Rev Sheepshanks visits Hope and selects site for cemetery – clearance of new burial ground begins – Revs Pringle and Sheepshanks file for pre-emption claims of 160 acres each – Pringle’s claim including an Indian village is rejected by Peter – freight duty rates are set for the Boston Bar trail – Peter inspects trail to determine repairs.
JULY
Repairs to Boston Bar trail begin – starting point of Similkameen trail construction determined – most white miners leave Fraser River for Similkameen – Peter purchases ten more lots in Hope.
AUGUST
More pack trains of horses and mules leave for Similkameen on rough foot trail – Edgar Dewdney signs contract for £1000 to build Similkameen pack trail – Royal Engineers blast rock for Boston Bar trail – Peter travels to Rock Creek, site of a new gold camp, to assess conditions – encounters resistance to paying for trading and mining licences.
SEPTEMBER
Returns to Hope to hold court – prepares a report on state of Similkameen trail for Gov Douglas – travels along Fraser River to collect fees and issue mining licences – invests in a silver prospect with Philip Nind – inspects mining ditches at Cornish Bar.
OCTOBER
Attends Rev Pringle’s singing class – Gov Douglas arrives with drunken assistants and boards with Peter – Peter requests pay increase and another constable – attends blanket tearing and potlatch – travels Similkameen trail again.
NOVEMBER
Peter feels uneasy as no letters received from Ireland – derives comfort from visiting friends, reading, or spending evenings at Fort Hope – lends money to those in need – receives income from rental properties in Hope – receives a pay increase – buys 100 lbs of beef for the winter – discussions occur on keeping Similkameen trail open during winter.
DECEMBER
Attends consecration of Trinity Church in New Westminster and attends church meetings – visits Glennie family in Hope and their newly constructed home – “I have been thinking of home & feel anything but cosey at the prospects of my getting back.” – receives letter and package from Mamsey, posts his twentieth letter of the year to her.
Back to Peter O’Reilly’s 1860 Diary
Peter O’Reilly’s 1860 diary has been transcribed by volunteers and staff of the Vancouver Island Local History Society and is for informational purposes only. Researchers interested in this diary are advised to consult the original document housed at the Royal British Columbia Museum & Archives, found in MS-2894, the O’Reilly family fonds.