Fonds consists of ten diaries kept by James Layton, covering the years 1948-1981, and a Time Book. (Years 1967-1971 are missing.) Layton made brief daily entries in the diaries, noting the weather, activities, social interactions and, occasionally, notable external events. Typical activities included logging, fishing, working on an oyster lease, digging clams, gardening, visiting, reading and writing letters. Times of planting and harvesting the garden, sightings of wildlife, and names of people living nearby or visiting on boats are recorded.
James (Jimmy) George Layton (1897-1990) was born in Camberwell, England. He fought in World War I, was severely wounded when he flung himself on a grenade which had landed in his foxhole, and received a medal for his bravery. In 1920, Layton emigrated to Canada, where he found work in coastal logging camps. Other members of the family, including his parents and seven of his ten siblings, also moved to Canada. At the time of his father's death in 1939, Layton, his parents and three of his brothers were living on Thurlow Island. In the 1940s he moved to the head of Von Donop Inlet on Cortes Island. His float house was drawn up on the beach next to a little islet that was joined to the shore at low tide, where he cultivated a garden and orchard. Layton found work logging and caretaking for local camps active in Von Donop, and helping his brother on his oyster lease. He moved to Lund in 1972, where he passed away at the age of 92.
Custodial History
Diaries were given to Joan Bevington by her cousin Capt. Harrison Layton, the nephew of James Layton, for donation to CIMAS.
Scope and Content
Fonds consists of ten diaries kept by James Layton, covering the years 1948-1981, and a Time Book. (Years 1967-1971 are missing.) Layton made brief daily entries in the diaries, noting the weather, activities, social interactions and, occasionally, notable external events. Typical activities included logging, fishing, working on an oyster lease, digging clams, gardening, visiting, reading and writing letters. Times of planting and harvesting the garden, sightings of wildlife, and names of people living nearby or visiting on boats are recorded.
Photograph of an infant standing on a kitchen chair outside in a garden, with a dog and a picket fence in the background. (In envelope "found when cleaning old farmhouse" with a note for May Ellingsen from Frances Guthrie)
Photograph of an infant standing on a kitchen chair outside in a garden, with a dog and a picket fence in the background. (In envelope "found when cleaning old farmhouse" with a note for May Ellingsen from Frances Guthrie)
Photograph of a group of people holding large bouquets.
Front, L to R: Mary Ward, May Freeman, Judy Hansen (?), Mollie Milton, Peggy Pyner, (ID) far right.
Back: Elmer Ellingsen, (ID), Bob Borland (?), May Ellingsen, (ID)
Photograph of a group of people holding large bouquets.
Front, L to R: Mary Ward, May Freeman, Judy Hansen (?), Mollie Milton, Peggy Pyner, (ID) far right.
Back: Elmer Ellingsen, (ID), Bob Borland (?), May Ellingsen, (ID)
Photograph of a group of people holding large bouquets, possibly after a theatrical production. People include Elmer and May Ellingsen, Peg Pyner and May Freeman.
Photograph of a group of people holding large bouquets, possibly after a theatrical production. People include Elmer and May Ellingsen, Peg Pyner and May Freeman.
Photograph of a group of people holding large bouquets.
L to R: Mary Ward, Dick Emerson, May Freeman (face hidden), Elmer Ellingsen, Judy Hansen, Mollie Milton
Photograph of a group of people holding large bouquets.
L to R: Mary Ward, Dick Emerson, May Freeman (face hidden), Elmer Ellingsen, Judy Hansen, Mollie Milton
File contains material relating to St. James church and includes a history of the church, correspondence to May Ellingsen regarding a scroll for the church and an original architect's sketch (1923).
File contains material relating to St. James church and includes a history of the church, correspondence to May Ellingsen regarding a scroll for the church and an original architect's sketch (1923).
Mr. David Forrest with his daughter Margaret on his back in front of the tent set up at the Nakatsui Ranch (now known as the Loon Ranch) near John Manson's property, Sunny Brae farm, where the family lived for a short time before settling at Squirrel Cove.
Mr. David Forrest with his daughter Margaret on his back in front of the tent set up at the Nakatsui Ranch (now known as the Loon Ranch) near John Manson's property, Sunny Brae farm, where the family lived for a short time before settling at Squirrel Cove.
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