Elizabeth “Eliza” Philp – Rural Diary Archive

Black and white image of Elizabeth Philip wearing formal attire. She appears to be standing in front of trees and posing.

Coverage Dates: 1893 to 1901

County: Wellington

Township: Maryborough

Lot: 16

Concession: 13

Gender: Female

Year of Birth: 1864

Year of Death: 1943

Ethnicity: English

Religion: Church of England

Occupation: Farm Woman

Relationships:

Father: Mr Benson
Husband: Robert Philp
Sons: Brock, Orton, Benson
Daughters: diarists Clara Philp/Giffin & Olive

Archive: Courtesy of Private Donor

Posted on Rural Diary Archive: Yes

Age During Diary: 29-37

Coverage: 8 years

Biography:

It is rare to find a diary written by a farm woman with young children. Elizabeth doesn’t have time to write with much detail and focuses on keeping records regarding the farm and her husband’s work. On occasion though, we learn about her life, her daughters, Clara and Olive, and her son, Brock. Sadly, her two other little boys die, one in infancy and the other in a terrible accident. In 1902, her daughter Clara takes over writing the family’s farm diary, and by 1915 it is Olive writing. Elizabeth, however, fills in when the girls are away.

Black and white image of Elizabeth’s husband, Robert. Robert is seated outside, wearing a hat and looking away from the camera. — Eliza’s husband, Robert

Vintage photo of an old barn on Philip farm. The image of the barn is cropped into a horizontal oval and has a yellowish tinge. — Old barn on Philp farm, 1909

Photos courtesy of Diane Mikoleit

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