Lt. George Wilson was a retired officer in the Royal Navy who owned Marchburn Farm in the Coldwater River Valley. Wilson was born in 1802 and died 27 October 1889. He settled about 1831 and later represented Medonte and Flos when the Simcoe District Council was established. In 1844 when Flos was represented separately, he continued to represent Medonte. His journals give us an idea of what our own Simcoe County ancestors experienced in those early days. The copies we have cover 1838, 1841, 1844, parts of 1849 and 1850. The numbers represent the day of the month. JULY 1838 1 - Scott went away ill, to return when sent for {Scott was a hired hand} 8 - Spring wheat beginning to ear. Pease in bloom. Early potatoes beginning to bloom. 14 - Commenced cutting hay. 22 - Oats beginning to ear. 23 - Scott returned. 29 - Began the early potatoes. JULY 1841 3 - Burnt the turnip ground. 9 - A good deal of rain which is much wanted. 17 - Sowed 2 acres Aberdeen Yellow turnip. Commenced cutting hay. 25 - Fine haymaking weather. 30 & 31 - Much rain. Stopped our haymaking. JULY 1844 14 - Began to cut the hay last Thursday. Got in a small quantity yesterday. 27 - Finished the hay. Some of it rather light. We had only one shower of rain during the time we were taking it in. We had new potatoes yesterday. Pam Tessier Penetanguishene Museum