Dates of Creation
1815-1818,1841-1844, 1846, 1855

Physical Description
7 cm on 1 microfilm (F11125)

Administrative History
Thomas Odber Miles (1789-1858) was born April 20, 1789 to Elijah Miles and Frances Connell. Educated at the Maugerville Public School, he engaged in farming in Maugerville and married Sarah Ann Carman February 11, 1815, daughter of Richard Carman on February 11, 1815. From this marriage there were at least six children, Odber, Thomas, Elijah, Sarah (Sally), Charlotte, and George.

In addition to being a Justice of the Peace, Justice of the Inferior Court of Common Pleas, and Road Commissioner, he took an active part in the local militia in which he held the rank of Colonel. Mr. Miles sat as a member of the House of Assembly representing Sunbury County for four terms- winning in the elections of 1827, 1831, 1834 and 1846. He lost the 1837 election and, although active in politics throughout the 1840s, did not regain a seat until 1846. Following the dissolution of the House in 1850, he retired from politics.

Despite his affiliation with the Church of England, he had strong ties with the Baptists, and his son, George became a Baptist clergyman.

SOURCES: MC1156 Graves Papers, Volume 8; RS72A Miles, Thomas Odber Probate Court File, 1858

Scope and Content
Diary records daily activities and surroundings, regular observations of weather, comments on agricultural, political, and social happenings along the St. John River between Fredericton and Queens County, legal functions the diarist performed in the community, farming activities, and numerous land and livestock dealings. As part of his duties as a Road Commissioner and Justice of the Peace, the development of roads in the Maugerville area is documented and the constant settling of estates with the requisite financial details between heirs, creditors, and banks play a regular part in his discourse. Religious activities, especially concerning the Baptists and Anglicans, are dealt with in detail. Occasional mention is made of the Agricultural Society, and of visits to Fredericton to deal with government figures.

An original 1820 letter relating to the health of his workmen and himself and giving an account of how many tons of timber they have hauled, photocopies of the journals (1847-1856) and transcriptions of the journals (1815-1818, 1841-1856) complete this fonds. Transcriptions are also on CD with additional material: diary transcriptions; description of early New Brunswick and Maugerville taken from the Memo Book of Geo. A. Perley; 24 pages, photo of Tredwell Thomas Odber Miles (1779-1858); biographical sketch, and photo of George Agustus Perley (1811-1887); extracts from Second lecture of Moses H. Perley at the Mechanics Institute (September 18, 1879); extract from Calvin L. Hatheway, "History of New Brunswick;" and photos of Christ Church (Anglican) Maugerville and Maugerville Public School; and scans of pages from Journals.

Restrictions
No restrictions

Finding Aid
An inventory is available.