Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1879-1916 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
1 flat box containing 15 folders.
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
William Smellie (1836-1919) immigrated to Glenelg Township, Ontario from Scotland with his father, William Smellie.
Archival history
The diaries of William Smellie (1836-1919) were passed down through the Smellie and later Flowers and Hogan families and donated to the Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library by George Walker and Michelle Hogan-Walker in 2022. Michelle inherited the diaries from her mother, Joan Hogan-Flowers. The Hogans are direct descendants of William Smellie (1836-1919)—his daughter Maggie married Albert Flowers, and Michelle’s grandfather, E. E. Flowers, was their youngest son.
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
Gift of George Walker and Micelle Hogan-Walker, 2022.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
One-line-a-day farm diaries kept by William Smellie (1836-1919) of Glenelg Township, Ontario. Smellie’s handwritten diaries date from 1883 to 1916, with his earlier diaries dating from 1879-1882, here reproduced in photocopy. Through his daily entries, Smellie offers a glimpse into farm life in Ontario at the turn of the century. He not only documents livestock, crops, and weather on the farm, but also records important events in his family and community. The diaries also include numerous newspaper clippings and loose notes kept by Smellie.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
No restrictions on access.
Material may be requested in person at the Fisher Library Reference Desk, or in advance using our online stack retrieval request form: https://fisher.library.utoronto.ca/stack-retrieval-form