A Few Details About James Roger (1842-1916)
James Roger was born in Kirkmichael, Scotland in 1842 along with his twin brother,
David. His other siblings were Robert, George, Agnes and Marlon.
In 1868, he married Miss Margaret Neil.
In 1897 he emigrated with his family, his father, mother, two sons, and two
daughters from Roslyn Castle, Scotland to New Ipswich.
He contributed to the community as a Congregational deacon and treasurer, a
treasurer of the Watatic Grange, a state legislative representative, a New Ipswich
Library trustee and a committee member for the Stearns Lecture fund.
Additionally, he served on the local school board and as a member of the New
Ipswich Historical Society.
Besides serving others, James Roger showed appreciation for the world through his
poetry and interests in botany and geology. His diary entries detail work for the
common good in daily life. He died on January 16, 1916.
Read More at: https://nihist.substack.com/p/james-roger-obituary
The following are excerpts from the diary of James Roger, Scottish immigrant and New Ipswich resident who recorded a daily journal, several years’ worth of which are now preserved and transcribed by the New Ipswich Historical Society. The following entries are a selection from the year 1908.
1st January 1908 (Wednesday)
Frosty and fair. Milder afternoon. May and the children went by noon train. David 1 brought grain, and worked part day at Academy. Got letter from Hamish who is engaged by Express Co. permanently and to be on day work. I swept Hall after last night’s dance and went to Mail in afternoon with letters from Alice and Hamish. Got letter also from Sandy.
3rd (Friday)
Hard frost. Fine bright day. David at Academy. I went to mail in afternoon. Got letter from
May. Bought 2 horse blankets from Phelp’s. $5.00. Put leaves in hen house. Mr. and Mrs.
Lowe sick with grippe.
8th January 1908 (Wednesday)
Rain during evening and night followed by frost. Roads slippery. Fine day. Good sun heat.
Wind W. David, Dan and Walter chopping all day. I filled boiler and did chores around the
house. Jim took out Pete for exercise in afternoon. Got letter from Mrs. Spofford with cheque in payment of cemetery work. Mr. Walker called and paid account. Also wants David to team home some wood for him when the snow comes fit for sledding.
10th January 1908 (Friday)
Hard frost – fine day wind NW. David at chopping with Dan and Walter finished today about 11 cords. Got Xmas presents from Alice today. Mother got table covers, I got hankys – David and Hamish the same.
11th (Saturday) January 1908
Frost fine day. David at Greenville for flour and grain. him and Dan fixed some windows at Mr Spofford’s. Got PC from Hamish who is coming tonight. David to meet him. Jim and I picked 3 chickens and he helped me to get out settees at Hall for Finn dance. I swept Hall and filled lamps. John Barnett told David that Small was coming to look after Mrs. Spofford’s place. Got letter from Alice saying Mr. Cochrane had fallen down the back stairs. Cut his legs and sustained some bruises – and old Gran was very ill on account of the accident. The attendance at Finn Dance was middling but very quiet and orderly. David and Hamish were up for a couple of hours closed at midnight.
12th January 1908 (Sunday)
Dull and cloudy – wind NE sleety rain commenced about 8 am and rained heavy till afternoon – roads sloppy and slippery. Mr. Eastman of Temple preached and dispensed communion –number present at communion 9 present at church 12. David and Hamish went to Dr. Jones to pass medical inspection also to Leon Willard’s to get his photo taken for purpose of attachment to his registration papers as employee of the Express Co.
13th (Monday) January 1908
Dark drizzly morning – fair afterwards wind west. David took Hamish to Depot – roads slippery in places but good deal of snow and ice melted with the rain of yesterday. David at Lonie’s in forenoon and got horses sharpened to go to Ashburnham tomorrow. I carried hay and leaves to henhouse – had cows and heifers out in afternoon. Got letter from Cora Roger.
1st March 1908 (Sunday)
Frost 24 degrees fair wind easterly snow began to fall after sunset. Mr. Peacock preached from Romans 12 – 2 “Transformation and Conformation” not many present about 27. 5 at Sunday School. C.E. Mrs. E Wheeler leader topic: (23rd Psalm) 9 present. Alice the cow calved today.
2nd (Monday)
Wet Drizzley day snow sleet and rain wind E. David went to Chandler’s in forenoon and
Greenville for grain and then over the sidewalks with D Maynard & W Hardey. Got letter from Hamish who expects to get through this week as the man who was sick returned to duty.
3rd (Tuesday)
Frost – trees shining like silver in the sun, every branch and twig coated with ice. David went to Greenville with stock from Walker and to Willard_Lonie’s afterwards to bring in his wood. Got letter from Cora Roger who says her father’s foot is getting better. Walter Thayer took Alice’s calf away tonight. I swept Hall.
11th March 1908 (Wednesday)
Went per afternoon train to Ayer, left there per 8 o’clock train for Chapinville via Wocester,
Springfield and Hartford Junction reaching there at 4 50 pm. Went to Lakeville and Salsbury on Friday and to Millerton on Monday. Left there for Chapinville for Canaan on Thursday. Left Canaan on Friday morning for home via Hartford. Willemantic, Putnam – Worcester and Ayer reaching home at 9 30 pm.
21st March (Thursday)
Hard frost 6 above. Wind NW. David teaming for Walker from mountain. Hamish confined to house with severe cold. Dr. Jones called in to see him. Jim splitting wood. The heifer
(Elizabeth) had a calf today. Mr. Huckins and Walter Thayer came to help owing to the face of calf coming hind feet first, however both cow and calf are doing alright. I started the 200 egg incubator.
26th March 1908 (Thursday)
Frosty. South wind. Drying roads some. David went to Depot for kerosene in forenoon and
choring around in afternoon. I lit church furnace and fire in small room. Also fire in hall for
Grange. Hamish keeping better. Dr. Jones called today. Daniel’s horse ran away this
afternoon causing great excitement among the members of the sewing circle. 14 present at
Grange. F. Mansfield Master. Northern lights bright.
31st (Tuesday)
Frost. Dull day. David at Depot with chair stock for Walker. He took Jim with him who is going to Hingham for his holidays. Hamish also went to Ayer in afternoon to start work again. I had seven pains in chest and Dr. Jones plastered me and gave me some medicine which relieved me. Joe Silver arrived last night from the Azores.
21st April 1908 (Tuesday)
Cold wind but fair day. David at Lonie’s. Hamish brought fertilizer from Depot for Mr. Hardy. And took me to Depot in the morning to get the train for Concord to attend the convention to elect delegates for the Chicago convention to nominate President. I met Honorable John McLane, Senator Burnham, Governor Floyd &c. &c. I was in company of Mr. Reid of Mason, and Judge Taft of Greenville most of the day and got home by last train.
30th April 1908 (Thursday)
Cool morning wind E. to S.E. then east and warm after. David went for wood for Mr. Walker in forenoon, and plowed in top field in afternoon. I walked to Greenville in afternoon and paid Prescott’s grain bill. Got haircut and bought watch for David saw Mr. Ely and had talk about clubhouse. Had letter from Mr. London. Mother washed entrance of hall in forenoon and I filled the lamps in afternoon. Mr. Bernier called today and I paid his coal bill $17.12 . John Barnett teaming away the hard pan from church today. This month closes with promise of earlier spring than last year. The grass is getting quite green. Apple trees and others budding in leaf. Some sweet peas are coming through at door and tomatoes coming through in frame.
17th May 1908 (Sunday)
Cool morning fine day. Mr. Peacock preached from text. We have toiled all day and caught
nothing. I attended s.s. after 7 in class. C.E. Mr. Peacock leader topic: “Being a Christian”. A Finn woman gave a short address. A good attendance. Saw golden robin today. David walked to see E. Marshall about painting club house.
18th (Monday)
Fair and warm wind N. to S.E. David on the roads with Royce. I sowed some sweet corn,
parsley and radish also row of peas. (Telephone) and picked out some tomato plants. Mr.
Huckins got 3 ribs broken and other injuries caused by one of his horses kicking him. Mrs.
Nash went away today for the summer to Jamaica Vt. Got 2 Scotsman’s from Roslin and letter from Hamish.
22nd June 1908 (Monday)
Warm and dusty, Wind varying NE to NW. David took Berkley, May and the Bairns to Depot
brought some Hungarian seed. Then went to Lonie’s. I cut the Davis lot in morning. Fred
Preston arrived today and the usual hilarious and silly demonstrations of the Gordons. I bug deathbed the potatoes today and went to assembly at the Academy in the evening. Got letter from Jim at Long Island.
28th (Sunday)
Warm and sultry. Thunderstorm began about 4:30 pm and continued more or less during the night with some refreshing showers. A partial eclipse of sun from 10:08 am to 1:14 pm. Mr. Peacock on text “Come let us reason together”. S.S. after subject “Temperance”. No C.E. Dan Brown and wife took shelter for a while. Anniversary of our 41 st Marriage day.
14th August 1908 (Friday)
Bright warm day. David at Club House. I tedded the grass that was cut behind the Lowe’s and pulled some blueberries also fixed Hall for dance tonight.
15th (Saturday)
Fair and cool NW wind. David at Club House. I picked 2 fowls and cut lot in Cemetery. Funeral today of some friend of the Farrar’s. In afternoon, Daniel, Jessie, Alice and I went for hay from meadow at Lowe’s. Cart stuck in soft ground and we had to unload partly. Jessie, Alice and I picked about 11 quarts of blue berries in forenoon. They brought the cows home also.
18th September 1908 (Tuesday)
Fine day cool wind. David at Club. I picked 2 fowls, and spread out hay and went to Depot to meet Hamish, with Margaret and Elizabeth. May had a little girl this morning, my birthday. Mrs. Ralph Parker has typhoid fever.
26th (Wednesday)
‘Rain, wind East. Miserable day for the 150th Anniversary at Temple. David at Club. I filled Hall lamps.
13th (Sunday)
Fair and muggier getting cool in evening wind SW to S. Mr. Peacock preached on “Love one
another”. Meeting after to appoint a committee for Children’s Fair. Mr. Wheeler, Whittemore & Peacock, Mrs. Wheeler, Buckman, Miss Taylor. No S.S. C.E. 730 Topic “Church Attendance” Leader Mr. Corbett. David and Willard_Lonie at Whittemore camp at Hubbard Pond.
14th Sept. 1908 (Monday)
Fair and strong NW wind. David cut the clover patch in forenoon and at the Webber lot in
afternoon. I wheeled some shingles into the Church cellar. Mr. Blanchard wants me to clear
them from round the Hall. Got postal card from Marblehead but don’t know who from. Leaves beginning to color in patches. Got papers from Roslin on Saturday night with notice of the Rev. Mr. Barnetson’s death; a good man gone to his reward.
17th (Thursday)
Fair and cool. David assisting at Parsonage drawing rocks for cellar wall and went for grain at 4 pm. W. Hardy & him put in the clover grass into brooder house. I finished clearing the shingles from round the Hall. Mrs. Lake buried today. Her body was brought from County Poor Farm. A poor ending for such a sweet old lady. I wrote to Jim at Oakdale last night and to Hamish today. Got pc from Roslin last night and a box of heather today.
22nd (Tuesday)
Cool morning warm muggy. Smokey, dusty day and (wind) S.E. David at Ashburnham for Mr. Walker. I chored round. Doing little odd jobs. Made boiler cover, cut weeds, tended cows &c. Another destructive fire in Chelsea yesterday, and forest fires all around. Long drought severely felt all over New England. Gave W. Thayer my annual dues as a member of Village Improvement Society.
30th Sept. 1908 (Wednesday)
Frosty morning. Fine sunny day wind S. to E. David ploughing the James Davis field. I fixed the Marshall lot. Mrs. Fletcher died last night and for sanitary reasons was put in the town tomb this morning and buried in afternoon. There was a good turnout of people at the Baptist minister reception. This month has closed with a record heat and drought. Forest fires have been prevalent all over the country. There was no rain with exception of a slight shower from 26th August until early morning of 29 th Sept. Last night was a very fine display of the northern lights and indications tonight are for rain soon.
1st Oct 1908 (Thursday)
Dull and foggy forenoon, clearing after and dry wind S. to S.E. David ploughing in the Davis field. I finished the Marshall lot. Mr. Gordon asked me to extend his lot 6 or 7 feet. Today penny postage began America and Great Britain. Got coat and vest from John Preston today.
7th (Wednesday)
Frost fine warm day. Children’s fair a good turnout. I drew 8 60 at the door. David and Henry finished the Webber lot today. Ed Wheeler’s wife had a daughter this afternoon. Mrs. Parker taken to the hospital at Gardner. I was door keeper at the fair.
13th (Tuesday)
Hard frost 12 degrees frost. Ice on hen’s dishes fine bright sunny day wind west to S.W.
Conjunction of Jupiter and Venus at 4am this morning. David on roads down town. I picked 2 fowls, watered Gordon lot and rested up. Picked grapes at Preston dump. Mrs. Parker rather better today. May got letter from Jamie Mair and we got pc from Hamish.
15th (Thursday)
Fair and warm during day. David on roads down town warm and dusty work. The dance last
night was a failure financially 7 50 in the hole. Attendance was sparse. Mother and I swept Hall and put in the settees. I lifted carrots and beets in forenoon and partly sodded Gordon’s lot. Mrs. Tabraham called and paid lot. A Mr. Tenny from Illinois came to Huckins. He wants to find out about his ancestors who lived here but went west in 1836.
25th Oct 1908 (Sunday)
Dull but fair wind about E + N.E. Temperature in church 62 so lit fire. Mr. Peacock preached on the words “I am the Way, Truth, & Life” and in my opinion perverted the meaning of the text in trying to show himself learned. S.S. after and a Praise Prayer and Promise service at the C.E. In the evening. 14 present Mrs. Sargent leader I wrote Alice, May & Hamish.
26th (Monday)
Dull misty and rainy. Wind N.E. David painting wood sleigh in forenoon and went to Greenville for grain in afternoon. He is troubled with indigestion and wind. I shelled the beans in forenoon and Mother and I cleaned brooder house in afternoon. Mr. Bass of Peterboro in his auto today soliciting vote for Senator. Got postcard from Hamish written at 830 am as he was about to leave for Boston. He feels depressed but I hope that all will come right for him.
28th (Wednesday)
Fair forenoon. Showery afternoon. David on roads down town. Hamish and I took up the yellow turnips and brought them home with Hardy’s team. Got letter from Alice asking about Hamish. Lonie and Hamish going to Democratic Rally in Greenville tonight.
3rd Nov. 1908 (Tuesday)
Mild day wind westerly. David on roads down town. Hamish was telephoned for to Ayer this
afternoon, as Berkley got his got hurt and was laid up. Election Day a very tame affair.
Result of Election.
Taft 104 Bryan 39
Quimby 94 Carr 39
Currier 107 Colby 40
Bass 99 Tulford 42
W.A. Preston 92 Ramsdell 53
License Yes 45 No 73
4th Nov 1908 (Wednesday)
Mild and fair morning with wind west then about 9am it began to cloud over getting very dark about 10. Heavy black clouds overcast the sky with a few drops of rain. Academy lit up about 10 o’clock then cleared away getting much colder and wind northwest. David on roads down town and says town very quiet. No excitement of any kind. Hamish telephoned this morning. Berkley’s foot comfortable. All the rest well. He said Taft had swept the country. I seeded down the Gordon lot this morning and cut the two rows of turnips in field wheeling them home in the afternoon. Papers full today of the unexpected sweeping Republican majorities all over the country.
19th (Thursday) Nov 1908
Dull but fair and mild wind west & south west frost pretty hard in morning. 17 above down town. David teaming for Village Improvement Society opposite post office. Got letter from Alice and p.c. from Hamish, both well. Milkman brought coops from express office. I filled boiler, put cows out for a run in the snow. Set rat traps and closed rat hold above front door.
24th (Thursday) Dec. 1908
Frost fine day. David logging at Jowder’s . I wrote letters and post cards to all and got letters, cards, letters &c. Christmas tree at night in Town Hall . A good turn out of the township. Exercise by the children and presentation of gifts Wm..Davis Santa Claus. I got a book and box of cigars and David a pair of cuffs.
31st (Thursday)
Rain during night. Thawing, then freezing at night. David choring round got horse sharpened and plastering rat holes at Spofford’s. Got pc from Hamish who has found his grip. I fixed up Hall for Dance tonight. The concert &c last night was very good quite a mob of people there, some from Rindge