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.
File consists of a green leather-bound locking diary, 4.5 x 6 x 1 inches in size. The entry for each day contains a brief description of the weather and the day's activities, which typically include logging, fishing, harvesting clams and oysters, gardening and visiting.
File consists of a green leather-bound locking diary, 4.5 x 6 x 1 inches in size. The entry for each day contains a brief description of the weather and the day's activities, which typically include logging, fishing, harvesting clams and oysters, gardening and visiting.
File consists of a volume 3.5 x 5.5 x .75 inches in size, titled "Webster's Foresters Diary and Pocketbook" and published by the Timber Trades Journal, London, England. The first 106 pages contain advertising and information relating to forestry in Great Britain. The remainder of the book is a diary with space for two entries per page, where Layton has recorded brief descriptions of the weather and his daily activities.
File consists of a volume 3.5 x 5.5 x .75 inches in size, titled "Webster's Foresters Diary and Pocketbook" and published by the Timber Trades Journal, London, England. The first 106 pages contain advertising and information relating to forestry in Great Britain. The remainder of the book is a diary with space for two entries per page, where Layton has recorded brief descriptions of the weather and his daily activities.
File consists of a small volume with brown vinyl covers, 3 x 5.5 x .5 inches in size, for the year 1959. It is titled "Collins Electrical Engineers Diary", published by Collins in London, England. The first 160 pages contains a variety of technical information and tables. The remainder of the book is a diary, seven day view for each two pages, where Layton has recorded brief descriptions of the weather and his daily activities.
File consists of a small volume with brown vinyl covers, 3 x 5.5 x .5 inches in size, for the year 1959. It is titled "Collins Electrical Engineers Diary", published by Collins in London, England. The first 160 pages contains a variety of technical information and tables. The remainder of the book is a diary, seven day view for each two pages, where Layton has recorded brief descriptions of the weather and his daily activities.
File consists of a diary with green covers, "Collins Pocket Diary", published in London & Glasgow. The entry for each day contains a description of the weather and the day's activities, which typically include logging, fishing, harvesting clams and oysters, gardening and visiting.
File consists of a diary with green covers, "Collins Pocket Diary", published in London & Glasgow. The entry for each day contains a description of the weather and the day's activities, which typically include logging, fishing, harvesting clams and oysters, gardening and visiting.
File contains a green five year leather-bound locking diary, 5 x 6 x 1 inch in size, covering the years 1961-1962 and 1964-1966 (1963 is in another journal). The inside cover has an inscription from his sister and addresses for family members. Entries, five days per page, are brief descriptions of the weather and daily activities.
File contains a green five year leather-bound locking diary, 5 x 6 x 1 inch in size, covering the years 1961-1962 and 1964-1966 (1963 is in another journal). The inside cover has an inscription from his sister and addresses for family members. Entries, five days per page, are brief descriptions of the weather and daily activities.
File contains a black cerlox-bound diary, "Compliments of Black Top Cabs", 5.5 x 8.5 x .5 inches in size. Daily entries, two per page, contain brief descriptions of the weather, daily activities, and visitors. A few loose pieces of paper with addresses on them are found inside.
File contains a black cerlox-bound diary, "Compliments of Black Top Cabs", 5.5 x 8.5 x .5 inches in size. Daily entries, two per page, contain brief descriptions of the weather, daily activities, and visitors. A few loose pieces of paper with addresses on them are found inside.
File consists of a 64 page Time Book published by the International Woodworkers of America, BC District Council No. 1. The booklet contains ads, information and a fold-out map with the locations of BC mills and logging camps. Layton, a member of Local Union 1-71, has entered a record of his income on page 62.
File consists of a 64 page Time Book published by the International Woodworkers of America, BC District Council No. 1. The booklet contains ads, information and a fold-out map with the locations of BC mills and logging camps. Layton, a member of Local Union 1-71, has entered a record of his income on page 62.
File contains one cream coloured diary, 4 x 4.5 x 1 inches in size, with entries for three years, 1972-1974. The address "Squirrel Cove" is crossed out, replaced by "Bliss Landing, Lund". During these years, Layton moved away from Von Donop. The cover has broken away from the spine, and the hasp is missing.
File contains one cream coloured diary, 4 x 4.5 x 1 inches in size, with entries for three years, 1972-1974. The address "Squirrel Cove" is crossed out, replaced by "Bliss Landing, Lund". During these years, Layton moved away from Von Donop. The cover has broken away from the spine, and the hasp is missing.
