Susanah “Susie” M. Smith – Rural Diary Archive

A formal group portrait in sepia tones, likely taken in a photography studio. Five individuals are present, with three seated in the front and two standing in the back. The men are dressed in formal wear, and one woman is seated in the middle.

Coverage Dates: 1874

County: Wellington

Township: Arthur

Lot: 3

Concession: 9 & 10

Gender: Female

Year of Birth: c. 1856

Ethnicity: Irish

Religion: Church of England

Occupation: Farm Woman

Relationships:

Father: Sidney Smith
Mother: Eliza Ensko
Brothers: William, Robert, Harry, Sidney, Alfred, Samuel, diarist George B., and half-brother Thomas from father’s previous marriage
Sisters: Elizabeth, and half-sister Hannah

Archive: Archival and Special Collections, University of Guelph

Posted on Rural Diary Archive: Yes

Age During Diary: 18

Coverage: 1 year

Biography:

“… he told me how he loved me … wanted to kiss me good night but I could not see the point. I listened to him pouring out his love but did not accept it.” In her charming little pocket diary, Susie meets our classic expectations of a young woman’s musings. She lives just outside Mount Forest and life is full of trips to town, sleigh rides, music lessons, and new dresses. You can learn more about Susie in George’s diary. Susie never marries and by 1911 is living in Toronto with her brother George.

Browse Collection