The copies of the diaries are dated between 1889 and 1926 and contain brief entries for each day. They relate to both personal and farm activities and appear to relate to a comparatively small general farm.
For example: "stayed at house and made a set of steps for the dairy"; "reaped 1 1/2 acres oats for seed"; "stocked up oats and made a rake"; commenced putting in culvert down by cottage"; ''2 loads of hay - too green"; "grubbing large boulder stones out of 18 acres"; "went to morning service ¬ Archdeacon Richards preached"; "made organ stool for Black River Church"; "party of young people from Smithton for evening"; "picked the quinces and some apples, killed a sheep"; "8 loads of cut up wood for home during winter"; "putting up wire fence by potato shed to let calves get shelter under the pines"; "pottering around all day, Leon called"; "1/2 day in vegetable garden"; "marked lambs. Worked 4 hours at P.O."; "Carl finished ploughing 6 acres for peas"; "helped to cut chaff for Mr L. Medwin"; "carting hay, Frank Medwin with team". The entries appear to relate to a comparatively small general farm and by 1918 Anderson's children (daughter at Stanley, and Leon) were grown up and were living independently. One diary is dated 1889 and was much damaged with parts of pages tom or worn away. The 1889 entries are similar (eg: "made bullock yoke"; "Joe took load of potatoes to township"; "boiled pig potatoes").

Photograph by George Musgrave Parker

Postcard thought to be pre 1914

Photograph of the old barracks at Highfield, Stanley taken by George Musgrave Parker

Diary belonging to Steward James Anderson of Black River, Stanley, dated 1926.

Diary belonging to Steward James Anderson of Black River, Stanley, dated 1924.

Diary belonging to Steward James Anderson of Black River, Stanley, dated 1921.

Diary belonging to Steward James Anderson of Black River, Stanley, dated 1920.

Diary belonging to Steward James Anderson of Black River, Stanley, dated 1919.

Diary belonging to Steward James Anderson of Black River, Stanley, dated October to December 1918.

Diary belonging to Steward James Anderson of Black River, Stanley, dated January to September 1889. Some entries in another hand and some pages damaged by damp and defective.