January – March
1859-01-10
“Mamsey”
A reference to Louisa Ellis, mother of Charlotte Ellis. Peter had affection for both women and frequently visited them at Faccary House. The word “Mamsey” can sometimes refer to a gentle, caring, loving, or doting person, usually a mother.
1859-01-15
comment
Peter O’Reilly received a pension from the Irish Revenue Police which he served in from 1850 to 1857.
1859-01-21
Ballybeg
“Bbeg” refers to “Ballybeg”, the home of Peter’s family northwest of Navan in County Meath, Ireland. While there he trains a colt for Patrick, the name of his father, however, it’s possible Patrick may refer to another person.
1859-01-30
Cappagh, Ireland
Cappagh Parish Church, St Eugene, north of Omagh. Faccary House is located within Cappagh Parish.
1859-02-05
SS Prince Albert ship manifest
This list of 223 passengers contains the erroneous description of “John Reilly”, a 33 year old gentleman from Scotland seeking to inhabit the US and occupying the “Saloon” (First Class) section of the ship. “Smith O Brien” is listed as a 50 year old Irish gentleman seeking to inhabit the US and is also with Peter O’Reilly in the “Saloon” which contains eleven passengers.
1859-02-18
William Smith O’Brien
(1803-1864)
Irish nationalist Member of Parliament and leader of the Young Ireland movement.
1859-02-25
Saint Nicholas Hotel
Luxury Broadway in New York City hotel opened in 1853.
1859-03-01
Laura Keene’s New Theatre
Broadway theatre in New York City opened in 1856, burned in 1881. Our American Cousin debuted there in 1858.
1859-03-15
Aspinwall, Panama
Atlantic terminus of Panama Railroad constructed between 1850 and 1855, named after its American founder William Henry Aspinwall, now known as Colón, Panama.
1859-03-30
Robert Ker
(1824-1879)
Emigrated with Peter O’Reilly, served as auditor general and paymaster general in the 1860s to 70s.
April – May
1859-04-01
Steamer Brother Jonathan
Paddle steamer built in 1850, instrumental in bringing smallpox to Victoria in 1862, shipwrecked in 1865.
1859-04-11
Richard Clement Moody
(1813-1887)
Commander of the Royal Engineers, Columbia Detachment, Commissioner of Land & Works, Lieutenant Governor of BC, all posts 1858 to 1863.
1859-04-10
Esquimalt, BC
James Douglas of the Hudson’s Bay Company liked Esquimalt for its harbour but established a fort on Victoria’s harbour in 1843. The Esquimalt harbour continued to be used to offload passengers and supplies and in 1855 the Royal Navy constructed hospital buildings there to treat casualties of the Crimean War. The Fraser River gold rush of 1858 brought many more ships through its harbour and by 1865 the Royal Navy had established its Pacific fleet headquarters there.
1859-04-10
Fort Victoria
Hudson’s Bay Company fort established in 1843. Vancouver Island became a British crown colony with Fort Victoria as its capital. The discovery of gold on the Fraser River in 1858 caused a large influx of gold seekers and quickly transformed the community. Incorporated as “Victoria” in 1862.
1859-04-11
James Douglas
(1803-1877)
Chief Factor of the Hudson’s Bay Company at Fort Vancouver and Fort Victoria (1839-58), governor of Vancouver Island (1851-64) and of the crown colony of British Columbia (1858-64), knighted in 1863.
1859-04-15
Augustus Frederick Pemberton
(c.1808-1891)
Chief Commissioner of Police and Justice of Peace in 1858, uncle of surveyor Joseph Despard Pemberton.
1859-04-15
John Boles Gaggin
(c. 1830-1867)
Magistrate, assistant gold commissioner at Port Douglas, then Kootenay magistrate in 1866.
1859-04-15
Steamer Eliza Anderson
Paddle steamer operating on the Fraser River to Fort Langley route.
1859-04-15
Queenborough, BC
Colonel Moody’s name for the capitol city of the Colony of British Columbia, also called “Queensborough”, was soon changed by Queen Victoria.
1859-04-16
William Driscoll Gosset
(1822-1899)
Royal Engineer, Colonial Treasurer (1858-1862)
1859-04-22
Royal Engineers, Columbia Detachment
Operating from 1858 to 1863, the Engineers surveyed town sites (New Westminster), built roads, examined harbours, and provided a military presence. Also referred to as “Sappers”.
1859-04-22
Wymond Thomas Ogilvy Hamley
(c.1818-1907)
Customs collector and member of Legislative Council of BC.
1859-04-24
Fort Langley
HBC fur trading post started in 1827 on the Fraser River, became a major export port by the 1830s.
1859-04-27
Steamer Beaver
First paddle steamer to operate in the Pacific Northwest, owned and operated by the HBC. In service from 1835 to 1888.
1859-04-30
John Marshall Grant
(1822-1902)
Captain in the Royal Engineers, Columbia Detachment (1858-63).
1859-05-01
William Burton Crickmer
(1830-1905)
Minister at St John the Divine, Fort Langley (1859-1860)
1859-05-03
HMS Plumper
A survey ship on the Pacific Coast, British North America, and the Fraser River.
1859-05-04
Herbert George Lewis
(1828-1905)
Joined the Hudson’s Bay Company in 1846, first officer of the Steamer Otter in 1853, remained active in marine affairs on the west coast.
1859-05-18
Charles John Riland Bedford
(1828 – ?)
Lessee of Langley Farm, Justice of the Peace for Langley District from January 1859 to 1860
1859-05-30
Chartres Brew
(1815-1870)
Gold commissioner and judge.
Back to Peter O’Reilly’s 1859 Diary
Peter O’Reilly’s 1859 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.