Stornoway Harbour: unfinished watercolour by Gina G. Morrison (nd)

Sunday 1^st May

In the morning Mr Paterson preached from the 3^rd chapter of 1^st John 2^nd verse Beloved now are we the Sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he shall appear we shall be like him for we shall see him as he is. He shewed 1^st the believers present state 2^nd their future prospects. In the evening he preached from the 3^rd chapter of John 14^th & 15^th verses And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness even so must the son of Man be lifted up that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life. In the afternoon I was teaching Mr Russell’s class in the Sabbath School.

Monday 2^nd May

Angus & I did not come to any terms and I feel very uneasy.

Tuesday 3^rd May

I was asking advice of Mr John Ross Sheriff Clerk about our dispute. Angus wrote me a letter but we could not come to an agreement about the book debts. I was at tea in Mr Russell’s. Mr & Mrs Cockburn Misses Gerrie, Addison & McIver were there. We spent a very pleasant evening. I went home with Christina.

Wednesday 4^th May

We began to take stock at 6am. I had a letter from Lexy. I wrote Lexy and Robert. I got my hat case from Mr Fair. The first trip of the “Staffa”.

[Note: The Staffa sailed from Glasgow on 2 May and noon. It stopped at Oban, Tobermory, Portree, Stornoway and at other ports on request. Other steamers plying this route twice a week were the Clansman and the Clydesdale.]

Thursday 5^th May

Busy all day taking stock.

Friday 6^th May

Do Do Do

Saturday 7^th May

Finished taking stock in shop at 9am in stores at ½ past 3. I had a tract from J Buck Liverpool of his services on board the “Morning Light” before she sailed. She sailed out of the River on Sunday 24^th April.

Sunday 8^th May

In the morning Mr Paterson preached from the 53^rd chapter of Isaiah the 10^th, 11^th & 12^th verses. In the evening from the 2^nd chapter of Hebrews 3^rd verse 1^st clause How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation 1^st he shewed how it was a great the salvation 2^nd how it was a great salvation 3^rd the neglecting of it & 4^th the consequences of neglecting of it. In the afternoon I was in the Sabbath School.

Monday 9^th May

I was busy adding up the stock book. I wrote for some goods. I saw Christina.

Tuesday 10^th May

I finished the stock book. I was looking at the Market place for a shop. I had a walk up the Glen.

Wednesday 11^th May

Busy taking a copy of the book debts and at night Angus and I had some sharp words as to the dissolving of the Copartnery

Thursday 12^th May

I got my share of money in Bank which was £134-4-3 which is a great deal indeed. We have done a very good business for so short a time. I thought we would have settled for the goods part today but we have not been able. The first trip of the “Vanguard” from Leith.

[Note: The first trip of the Vanguard signalled preparations for the start of the Stornoway herring fishing season (actually 20 May). Newspaper reports state that the Vanguard carried 2000 barrels and a large number of passengers. These included fishcurers, coopers and female workers, many picked up at Wick, Thurso or Orkney. These people swelled the population of Stornway for the duration of the season.]

Friday 13^th May

Not doing much. I was looking shelving &c for the shop.

Saturday 14^th May

The “Clansman” in at 3.30 a.m. I had a letter from Robert. I received my first lot of goods but got no shelving or counter into the shop.