Shannon mcDiffet Irish immigrant

Immigration/western expansion

Period: Jan 1, 1860 to Dec 31, 1914

homestead act

Nov 7, 1862

1862 law That offered free land to anyone who agreed to live on it for five years.

Family

Nov 1, 1865

My family expects to much of me. I am so tired of them always telling me what to do, they want me to become like them but I dont want to. I am going to America.

Work

Sep 5, 1867

My family wants me to find work so I am going to America to get a job. I will finally have freedom and start my own life.

Arrived

Oct 30, 1880

I have just arrived in America It's different here crowded, and unorgainized. Im not sure where I should go but I need to find a place to stay. I know I wont last a day living on the streets.

Life in America

Mar 12, 1883

I have finally found a job. I work in a crowded factory full of sweaty peole and dangerous machinery. I hate it! I wish I could go West and get my own land.

Land

Apr 22, 1889

I lost all of my supplies in the race today. Though I did find a nice piece of land I am not sure how long I will last without supplies. I may start farming my land so I can provide myself with food and sell them for money.

Crops flooded

May 18, 1889

After all of the rain this spring my field of crops was flooded and everything was ruined. I had nothing to eat because my only work was farming and all of my crops were flooded. I now have no way of making money.

generous neighbors

May 25, 1892

After my crops flooded my neighbors generously supplied me with a place to live and things I need. I promised to only live with them for a short time and when I got a job I would pay them back however I possibly could.

work

Dec 5, 1893

After another unsuccessful attempt at farming I decided it was time I found a job so I could provide for myslef and not have to live with my neighbor any longer. I found work at a local general store. The job payed fair and the hours werent to extreme but farming was more exciting.

Lost horse

Jun 11, 1895

Today when I left work I found that my horse had run away. My horse must have chewed through the rope or somone untied it. I have to buy a new horse with my savings from work, and I will have to start working longer hours so I can make some more money.

Married

Sep 27, 1900

I got married to the manager of the local general store I work at. We met when my horse ran off and he offered to take me home. We plan to turn the general store into a family business in the future.