Rural Diary Archive
Rural Diary Archive

Frederic Smith

Coverage Dates: 1869 to 1877
County: Prince Edward
Township: Picton
Lot: 11
Concession: 1
Gender: Male
Year of Birth: 1812
Year of Death: 1893
Ethnicity: German
Religion: Methodist – All Denominations
Occupation: Cordwainer
Relationships: 

Wife: Letitia Miller
Sons: James M, Benjamin F, Charles
Daughters: Grace Ella Landon, Jane R

Archive: Archives of Ontario
Posted on Rural Diary Archive: No
Age During Diary: 60-68
Coverage: 9 years
Biography: 

Once labelled as the diary of an “Anonymous Farmer & Shopkeeper,” Frederic was actually a cordwainer making custom shoes on a farm run by his sons.  In March 1870, the aging Frederic and Letitia move closer to their daughter on the edge of town and he scales back his activities to gardening and shoe repair. A proliferation of boot and shoe stores in the town of Picton is replacing his skilled craft. Frederic’s exceptional penmanship makes this diary very special and shows his artistry and attention to detail.