List of Days of Toil and Tears characters

Flora on the cover of Days of Toil and Tears

All of the characters that appear in Days of Toil and Tears. Some of these characters also appear in "Reading Henry."

Main characters

Flora Rutherford

Main article: Flora Rutherford

Flora Rutherford (born November 16, 1875) was the only daughter of William Rutherford and Sarah Dow. She was orphaned at age five when her parents died of illness. Flora spent the next six years at the Protestant Orphans Home until her aunt Janet sent for her in 1887. She came to live in Almonte, Ontario with Janet and her husband James Duncan. At the same time, Flora began working at the Almonte Woollen Mill with her aunt and uncle. They had plans to send her to school later on, which Flora felt somewhat conflicted about. After James's accident, she went with them for a fresh start in British Columbia. Flora was an imaginative young girl who loved making up stories about fairies.

Supporting characters

Agnes Bamford

Agnes Bamford (born 1867) was a spinning room operative at the Almonte Woollen Mill. Flora Rutherford took an especial liking to her, describing her the "friendliest and prettiest operative." She was noted for being outspoken about the conditions of the mill. Agnes heard news of commissioners coming to visit early in the summer of 1887. When Flora voiced her worries to her, Agnes came up with a plan to hide her and Ann during the commissioners' visit. A few days after the visit, she talked back to Mr. Haskin when he declared that no one was to laugh in the spinning room. She was subsequently fired from the mill. Flora later heard that a rumor Agnes had gone to live in Toronto with her older sister.

James Duncan

James Duncan ("Uncle") was the husband of Janet and uncle of Flora Rutherford. He married Janet in 1887 and Flora came to live with them afterwards. James was described as "handsome" with "black curly hair." He worked as a weaver at the Almonte Woollen Mill and anticipated to be promoted to loom fixer at the time. In mid-December, James's hand was hurt in an accident at the mill, which resulted in three fingers being amputated. After the accident, James became sullen and angry. A letter from his brother, Wilfred, arrived in February 1888 inviting James to come to British Columbia with his family. On the ranch, James worked well with the cattle and horses. He and Janet had four children

Janet Duncan

Janet Duncan (née Dow; "Auntie") was Flora's kind aunt. After Flora was orphaned, she wrote her yearly saying that she would love to have her live with her one day. In 1887, Janet married James Duncan and obtained employment at the Almonte Woollen Mill. She then sent for Flora to come live with her and her husband. In late 1887, James was injured in a mill accident. His personality change concerned Janet and Flora, whom eventually decided to write to his brother Wilfred. The family then moved to British Columbia to live with Wilfred's family. Janet had her first child at the end of 1888, and had three more over time. On the ranch, Janet learned several new skills, including canning and caring for chickens.

Murdo Campbell

Murdo Campbell was the second child of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell. He had six siblings, including Kathleen, Percy, Archie, Willie, John, and Bea. His family lived in the same building as the Duncans and he looked forward to Flora's arrival. The two became friends. He was very talkative and liked to explain how things worked, which sometimes annoyed Flora who called him a "know-it-all." He worked at the woollen mill with his parents and sister Kathleen. After Flora and her family left for British Columbia, Murdo continued working at the mill. His interest in engineering was eventually noticed and he became a mill mechanic by the age of eighteen. Due to the distance, Murdo and Flora lost contact with each other.

Wilfred Duncan

Wilfred Duncan was the brother of James, and husband of Nellie. He lived with his wife and five children, including Joseph, on a ranch in rural British Columbia. Wilfred usually only wrote to his brother once a year around Christmastime. In early 1888, James's wife Janet wrote to him explaining about James's accident and asking for advice on what to do. Wilfred wrote back inviting the family to come join his in British Columbia. In the letter, he tactfully did not allude to Janet's letter and also pretended that it was his wife's idea for them to come. On the ranch, James helped Wilfred with the horses and the herd of one hundred and thirty cattle.

Minor characters

• Alice was a close friend of Flora Rutherford at the Protestant Orphans Home. Flora was very sad about leaving Alice behind in the orphanage and continued to think of her as her "one true friend."
• Ann Smith was the other doffer girl in the spinning room at the Almonte Woollen Mill. Her father worked in the repair shop of the mill. Flora tried to talk to her but though her "unfriendly" and "very dull."
• Archie, Bea, John, Percy, and Willie Campbell were the younger siblings of Kathleen and Murdo.
• Arthur Whitall was the grandson of Granny Whitall whom he lived with.
• Barney was a former mill employee who lost his arm in an accident. His fiancée left him after the accident. He stayed at the livery stable, and spent his time sitting with his dog and yelling at passersby.
• Bertha Rose, one of the spinning frame operatives at the woollen mill.
• Bessie Murphy was the room girl of the weaving room at the mill. She delayed untangling Lizzie Bruce's loom since her cousin Mary had stolen her beau.
• Beulah Young, a member of the Women's Christian Temperance Union. Flora and Janet heard one of her speeches and felt inspired by the movement.
• Billy was a horse owned by Mr. McFarlane. He was spooked one day, causing an accident. James helped calm down the horse.
• Mr. Boothroyd, an employee at the Almonte Woollen Mill.
• Mrs. Braidwood was a weaver working at the woollen mill.
• Mr. Brown was the husband of Mrs. Brown. He was abusive and violent, particularly when drunk. His wife ran away from him with their children, but he eventually found her in Almonte.
• Mrs. Brown, a woman who worked the spinning frame at the mill. Her two sons and daughter also worked at the mill. She ran away with her children from her abusive husband to Almonte and posed as a widow.
• Charles Fish was a circus performer whose act impressed Flora.
• Charlie Brown (born c. 1882) was the son of Mrs. Brown who was prone to kicking.
• "Cook", the cook at the Orphans Home. Flora described her as "grumpy" but "kind." When Flora first arrived, Cook comforted her about her parents' deaths. She continued to remember her fondly in her diary.
• Dick Langford (died September 1887) was a man whose horse was stolen by George Goodwin. He had a poster put up describing the thief. Dick was later found murdered in his barn.
• Mr. Docharty, the loom fixer at the woollen mill who was teaching James Duncan.
• Donald and Mrs. Campbell were the parents of Kathleen, Murdo, Percy, Archie, Willie, John, and Bea. He worked in the dye room at the woollen mill, while she worked in the spinning room.
• Mrs. Easton, an employee of the weaving room at the mill described as "tiny." She acted as the groom in the mill's mock wedding, where everything was opposite.
• Eddie McDougal, a Scottish man who worked in the dye shed at the mill.
• Ellen McAnally, Harriet, and Mary Anne were children at the Orphans Home who were friends with Flora.
• Mr. Flanagan was the wealthy owner of the Almonte Woollen Mill. He was married and had one son. Mr. Flanagan was known for being kinder than other owners.
• Frank Coleman, a worker at the mill noted for being rude to the female employees.
• Fred Armstrong, an employee in the wet finishing room of the mill. He liked Agnes Bamford and attempted to court her.
• Garabed Nergarian was a missionary from Asia Minor who visited St. John's Church in Almonte.
• George Goodwin (alias St. George, Brennan) was a thief who stole a horse owned by Dick Langford.
• Mr. Haskin was an overseer at the woollen mill. He was often strict with the workers.
• Mr. Houghton was the chief wool sorter in the dye room at the woollen mill. He explained to Flora how he was able to tell the quality of fleece by touch.
• Jessie, one of the children at the Orphans Home whom Flora often watched.
• John C., a child at the Orphans Home who liked to "torment" Flora.
• John Sullivan, a weaver at the woollen mill. Every day he ran ten miles to Appleton before work.
• Joseph Duncan was one of Wilfred's and Nellie's five children.
• Kathleen Campbell was the eldest child of Mr. and Mrs. Campbell, and older sister of Murdo, Percy, Archie, Willie, John, and Bea. She worked in the weaving room at the Almonte Woollen Mill. Flora sometimes spent time outside with Kathleen and Murdo on Sundays. Kathleen had a crush on Fred Armstrong. Her family lost contact with the Duncans after they moved.
• Lillie Wyatt (born c. 1868) was a spinning room operative who started working at the mill in January 1888. Her father froze to death the previous Christmas. Lillie came to work at the mill, while her mother and siblings kept up with the farm. After Flora left Almonte, Lillie cared for her cat Mungo and spoiled him for the next seventeen years of his life.
• Lizzie Bruce was the cousin of Mary. She worked in the weave room of the mill. Bessie Murphy delayed untangling Lizzie's loom over a spat with her cousin.
• Martha Dow (1802 – 1873) was Flora's great-grandmother whom immigrated from Glasgow, Scotland to Pakenham Township, Ontario. She liked telling stories, some of which her granddaughter Janet retold to Flora.
• Mary Bruce was Lizzie's cousin. She supposedly stole Bessie Murphy's beau away from her, leading to her picking on her cousin.
• "Matron" was the head of the Protestant Orphans Home in Kingston, Ontario. She was strict with the children under her care.
• Mr. McFarlane was a dry goods store owner. One day in late 1887, he and his daughter Millie were in a carriage accident. Mr. McFarlane gifted a toboggan to Flora and James for their help with Millie and his horse Billy.
• Millie McFarlane, the daughter of Mr. McFarlane. Flora comforted her after the carriage accident.
• Mungo (June 1887 – c. 1904) was Flora's pet kitten. He was one of Smokey's kittens. Before Flora moved to British Columbia, she gave Mungo to Lillie Wyatt. He lived to be seventeen years old.
• Mrs. Murphy was a spinning frame operative at the mill. Flora described her as being "quiet at work, but a comical person at home." She was Irish.
• Nellie Duncan was the wife of Wilfred and mother of their five children.
• Nellie Thurston was a balloonist who took flight from Almonte and landed in Merrickville.
• Mrs. Parfitt was the minister's wife. Flora and Janet attended her bible study classes on Sunday afternoons. She and Janet were friends, being close in age.
• Reverend Parfitt was the minister of St. John's in Almonte.
• Dr. Reeve was a physician who treated James's arm after his accident.
• Robbie was the pet dog of Reverend and Mrs. Parfitt. Flora called him a "friendly wheezy old dog."
• Smokey was the cat whom lived in the spinning room of the woollen mill. Mr. Haskin wanted to have her drowned after she got caught in the machinery briefly, but the female employees snuck her and her litter of kittens out. She lived in a shed outside the Duncans and Campbells' building until her kittens grew up. Smokey was then brought back to the spinning room and Mr. Haskin said nothing.
• Mr. Stafford was the overseer of the fulling room at the mill.
• Mr. Tullis, a teacher at the local high school.
• Charlotte and Miss Steele were two elderly sisters who lived alone in their family home. Their father had been a wealthy grist mill owner, but lost his money in a dispute over water rights.
• William ("Papa"; 1851 – October 1881) and Sarah Rutherford (née Dow; "Mama"; 1855 – October 1881) were Flora's parents. They both died of pleurisy when she was five. In her diary, Flora addressed each entry to her parents.
• Queen Victoria, the Queen of the United Kingdom who celebrated her Jubilee in June 1887.
• Granny Whitall, an elderly woman whom lived with her grandson Arthur in the same building as Flora family. She watched the children of the building while their parents were working.

Epilogue characters

• Ulysses was Flora Rutherford's husband and the father of their four children. He worked at a general store and eventually took over it.