Lesson 1

What Is History

Diary of Ebenezer Robson

Tuesday, February 19, 1861

"Left early in a conoe with 2 Indians for Salt Spring Island. Had a pleasant trip down. Was hailed when landing by a zany [?] man (Graham alias Bitts[?]) who invited one to spend the nights in his home. ["Graham, Dumbrain and Dr John Hall" added in the margin]. February 20, 1861: Last night one supped on clams and potatoes and this morning breakfasted on pancakes and bread visited all the houses on the east side of the Island, 7 in all, and when through with that took canoe and went around the south point into Ganges harbour when after dark I came to the house of Mr Lenneker (Lineker).

Feb 21. 1861" After brealfasting at Mr Lineker I visited all the houses in the settlement, 21 houses and the same number of claims, 4 inhabited by white people and the remainder by coloured people. I preached in the home of a coloured man in the evening to about 20 persons all coloured except 1 and one is married to a colored man. Went back to my lodgings after service which made about 18 miles walking during the day.

Feb 22, 1861 Left early and paddled against a strong wing till about 10 a.,. When we rounded the southerly point and hoisted sail after about 2 hours sailing we came to anIndian house on SaltSpring Island and as our canoe was not sufficiently [strong?] to endure the gale we [ .... ?] an Indian with a large canoe and took ours in tow. as soon as we had started from shore the wind which was very strong carried the canoe forward with such speed that it became unmanageable-- the Indian could not keep it to its course and instead of running up the channel we soon accross and were obliged to come to under shelter of an Island....(Indian became frightened, and refused to go any further)

Saturday, March 9, 1861 Thirty Hydah canoes at Salt Spring Island robbed Begg's store of flour, turnips flag [?] etc. (inserted in different ink, obviously at later date. Similar addition under the next date)

Saturday March 16, 1861 " A G Horne and E Gough sent ashore for chiefs, who refused [?] gunboat Forward (Robson) followed Hydah's to C. Mudge to comere (?) challenged the Hydas. a 30 pounder fired over their heads and was repelled by a volley from the Indians. Fire opened and 4 killed and others wounded sent (I) flag of truce and surrendered. S took supper at Mr Begg's and lodged with Mr lawless.

March 27, 1861 Left the north settlement in my canoe at 7 a.m. and went round the west end of the Island and arrived on the canal [?] on the south side around 12 or 1 p.m. The tide being out I left the Indians with instuctions to bring up the canoe when the tide came in and walked or scrambled through the woods a distance of one mile to the settlement. After lunch at the house of a German... I started to invite the people out to service in the evening in doing so I travelled about 10 miles on foot over hills and through the forest. Took tea at Mr Lineker down on Admiralty Bay. Walked two miles through the woods by a small trail after dark, panthers and plenty... several have been killed lately also bears and wolves abound. Had 12 houses, 9 coloured and three white. Slept at Mr Booth's house. Arrived home the next day after travelling about 80 miles and ... visited 22 houses and preached once.

on May 25, Robson notes that he hopes to raise 26 from the people on Salt Spring for a church.

Excerpt from Ebenezer Robson's diary from Ruth Sandwell's Salt Spring history website: Who Killed William Robinson?

web.uvic.ca/history-robinson

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