Father's Death    

     A very bad thing has happened today. When I woke up, Sally and I were very worried about how we would tell father of the war, and how he might react. Well, we worried for nothing, because when I went to look on him after our conversation, his face was very, very pale, he did not answer me when I called him. That was when I knew father had died. Although I do grieve for this death, I am also quite thankful that father would never have to face the news of war.

At Father's Inn     

     Today, I went to see father. Once I arrived at the inn, Sally greeted me warmly, and I went to father’s room to see him. He was so thin, pale and weak, and I really couldn't believe how much he had changed from the last time I saw him! 

     We talked for a while, asking about how we were doing, and soon, he told me that Sam was now living alone since Bett had died a few years ago, and he had the smallpox. Poor Sam! But we moved on to other topics like how the inn was doing, and soon, father seemed out of breath and tired, so I left him to sleep. 

     But I really wondered how I was to tell him that the Americans had declared war on us. The news would certainly worry him, affecting his ill condition. I am also worrying about my children, because nobody knows where the Americans would strike. James told me that four main areas were possible targets: Amherstburg on the Southern tip of Lake Erie, Kingston, Montreal, and Queenston, which worries me because we live in Queenston! 

     So I pray that father will face the news of war, and that James and the children would be safe. It is getting late now, so I better go to sleep! I will update you tomorrow! Good night!

War is Coming!     

     Wow, I haven't realized that I haven't been blogging for so long! I guess it’s just because I got tired of it for a while. Anyways, it is the year 1812 now, and James and I are married, and have built a house in Queenston on the site of my family’s first tent. His store is only making slim profits, but after convincing him to open another store in Queenston, business increased, and James could support me, my two daughters Charlotte and Harriet, and a son Charles. 

     I am glad to have such healthy children. Elizabeth married a man named Daniel Pickett at twenty-seven years old, even though men had been continually asking her out. Now, she finally has a baby boy! Anyways, those were all old stories just to catch you up on my life. Now, the war with the Americans seemed to be coming, and I am very worried about James, because he is going to join the military.  In fact, he is a sergeant in the first militia regiment of Lincoln Country, and he has to train local men for service in case of war.

      But luckily, he is only going to work there temporarily, and I really hope that he does not have to fight. Although I think that the Americans most likely won't attack us because it isn't our fault that the British had taken sailors off their sailing vessels and bringing them to the British navy to help fight the Napoleons, James told me that the Americans are pressing their new government to take action. But I really don't think they would take their anger out on Upper Canada, because half of us were Americans who came here to settle, and their quarrel is really with Britain, not us. 

     Anyways, tonight, when we were eating dinner, James was having dinner with the soldiers at Fort George, and my brother Charles came by to inform me that father was sick, and that he was asking for me. Just then, James had come back from his dinner to tell me that war had been declared. I can't believe the news! James would be in such danger! I really hope doesn't fight, because I don't want him to get hurt! But, I had to go see father, so I couldn't stay. Well, Charles is calling me now! I better go travel to father's inn!

Our house we built after getting married.

The Return of James     

     It’s been a long time since James has left, and finally today, he has come back! Oh how I missed him, and he said he had missed me too! I was so worried about him because his letters had not made it here. 

     But the best part of today was when James told me his business was improving, and that he felt strongly about me. He said he would also like to ask for permission to call regularly! I can't believe it! So James really did like me, and I am very glad of that! Then, he kissed me on the lips, and I felt a strong feeling of care for him. Oh how I love James, I really do! I am so glad he came back safely today!

An Outing with James     

     The day started out normally with me just adding up this week’s receipts, until James came by to ask me to go on a ride. So, after permission from father, we went on his wagon to go to the bottom of the Heights. 

     The view on the wagon was certainly very nice, but when we arrived and sat on a stone, he explained some bad news to me. His business was not doing too well, and also, he is going to go on a trip to Kingston or farther on a business trip. I know the trip would be very important for him, but I know I will really miss him, and I know I will be waiting anxiously for him to come back.

The view we saw when we arrived at the stone.

Business Problems     

     It’s been a month since we have moved into the inn, and I have been sitting at the oak desk at the main entrance, totaling two columns for profits and expenditures. Unfortunately, the expenses were much higher, because father had been giving credit to a number of newcomers, which our business could not afford. 

     While I was telling father about the problem, James Secord walked in with the most beautiful woman, and instantly, I felt annoyance as I realized he had a wife. But, that quickly ended when he explained that the woman, who was named Phoebe, was his niece. After Phoebe left, I went on telling father about the problem and how we should only give credit at the inn during emergency situations. 

     But then, James interrupted, and said that it was fine and that my plans were unnecessary. But what really annoyed me was how father had taken my advice so lightly! He was never prepared for situations like this, and it was the family who suffered. I can't believe that James was giving him bad business advice to father, and now, I am starting to think that maybe James isn't that great after all.

Buying Fairbank's Tavern     

     Father had bought Fairbank’s Tavern the day we came back from our trip to the site, and now, we own Queenston’s one and only inn! Sally was so pleased with it, which may have been the reason why father had bought the inn in the first place. Unfortunately for me, James did not visit us, which disappointed me, but at least I could help with the books, as I have been quite bored ever since the return to Queenston.