Monday 16^th February

I had a letter from John today. He tells me that Sandy Rose and Mary Sutherland were married on Friday the 30^th Jany. I sent a valentine to Maggie. I wrote James Matheson today. Alex Gerrie away to Glasgow with cattle.

Tuesday 17^th February

Very stormy and blowy. I wrote to Kate today.

Wednesday 18^th February

A fine day. Kept very busy today. I received 2 pair sox from Angus’s mother. Mr Gerrie very poorly. At night I saw – – – and gave her her watch.

Thursday 19^th February

Not much doing today. I wrote several letters about a situation for John.

Friday 20^th February

Very slack today. I wrote Isabella Sutherland Edinburgh.

Saturday 21^st February

Mrs Russell gave birth to a daughter. I had tea with Miss E. McDonald.

[Note: The baby was Georgina Russell, third daughter of Matthew and Georgina Russell. She married Rev John Cook of Tayport, minister of the UP Church, Buckie, on 13 August 1890. Cook died in 1901.]

Sunday 22^nd February

In the morning Mr Graham preached from John 12^th chapter 26^th verse. If any man serve me him will my Father honour. In the afternoon for the first time since a long time back Mr McLean preached in English his text was in Acts 14^th chapter 22^nd verse. We must through much tribulation enter into the Kingdom of God. Who. the way. and the Kingdom. In the evening Mr Graham from Luke 15^th chapter 10^th verse There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth I was precenting morning and evening. I saw Mrs Russell’s baby. At night I went home with – – – – this being her birthday ²⁵

Monday 23^rd February

The Quay sold to Mr Gibson for £52. Sir James Matheson away.

Tuesday 24^th February

Received one of H.B.& Co circulars from Robert Sutherland. The quay resold to Wm Robertson for £21. Received 100 Bolls. Meal from Aberdeen.

Wednesday 25^th February

A fine day. Pretty busy.

Thursday 26^th February

Angus very ill today. Byce McKay & John McFarlane left Mr Russell’s. Very little doing.

[Note: Byce or Boyce Mackay (1842-1881) belonged to a family from Durness, living at Holm outside Stornoway at the time of the 1851 Census. By 1871 he had become Innkeeper of the Star Inn on South Beach. In 1861 John Macfarlane was a 15-year-old ‘shop boy’ in Russell’s establishment. In 1871 he was described as a ‘general merchant’ living at 55 Keith Street with his parents and siblings. By 1881 he had married and succeeded his father, John Macfarlane, as Inspector of the Poor and Registrar of Births, Deaths and Marriages.]

Friday 27^th February

Nothing particular today.

Saturday 28 February

I spoke today to Mr Russell about John and he is willing to take him. I wrote John. The drawings for this month is £166-18/6 which is very good February being always considered a slack month the weather has been all along very course.