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Nancy Holmes

Book

Enosburgh

Vermont

Nancy H. Corse

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Comencing the 27 of March 1858

Debtor to Ephraim Holmes for

one postage stamp 3cts ‘3 Aug 14. 31 cts

one Mantilla $3.00 3’00 75 cts

one pair of calf skin shoes 1.00 70

May 7. 1 Bonnet 1.00

½ yd. silk ‘25

1. Belt ‘25

1. Border ‘30

1. Flowers 30

1. Pair. Gaiters 1.50

May 25. triming a bonnet ‘28

June 6. one quire of Note paper ‘17

one bunch of envelopes 12 ½

June 21. 10 yds. Law. 22 a yd 2’20

1. 1 Cotton 11

2. Edging 16

1. set hoops 25

1. Collar 75

2 Handerkerchiefs 17.30 .47

June 22 10cs Money ‘10

July 1 st postage stamps ‘10cts ‘05

whalebone

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March 27, 1858

My eighteenth birthday. I am resolved hereafter first

to always live a christian and also keep some

kind of a Memorandom. And I hope I shall always

keep my first resolution.

27. Saturday. A fine day. Ephraim has been to West

Enosburgh with a wagon. It is quite good wagoning

especially for the time of year. He brought me a

letter from Julia E Hopkins. Grandmother been here

to day. I have been mending and finished off Ephraim

two pair of pants. Ephraim gave me callica for a

dress for a birthday present. I tore off the breadths and

sewed them up.

A line for my thoughts. I suppose I am my own

girl now and can do as I am a mind to. But I am

not any happier now than I was one year ago though

I think I am a little for I hope I am a christian

and always mean to be one. And I hope that God

will bless the man under whose influence I learned

to know that I was a sinner. I always knew that I

was a sinner but not in the same light.

H. L. D. called here this evening and I dismissed him

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28. Sunday. A very pleasant day indeed. Silas came

home last about 12 o clock he is at home to day. I have

been reading the life of David Marks. A first rate Book

he comenced preaching when only 15 years old

29. Monday. Very pleasant. Been washing and a little

of a good many things about house have not had time

to sew but a trifle. Aunt Almira came here before

I got through washing and staid about all day

This afternoon Mrs Libbey and Mrs Tracy were here.

30. Tuesday. Very pleasant. Moped this morning &C

And been fitting my dress. Charlotte M Dunton came

here about one o clock she is going to stay here too night

I called in to Mr Libbey’s with her a short time we have

been to the shugar house and round about. good night

31. Wednesday. Very pleasant. Been making pies and doing

house work and sewed some. Charlotte and I went

over to James’es but I had company and had to come home

Emily and Diantha Wilburn and Jane Wyman were

here. Charlotte came back here this evening and Henry

came over had a very good time he went home about 12

Charlotte is going to stay with me again too night we

have very good times praying together.

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April 1858

1st. Thursday. Very pleasant. I have ironed and finished

my dress and fixed my hoops and skirt &C. Charlotte

went away early this morning. Mother was so mad because

we had company that she would not get up and eat

breakfast and when she did get up I had to take it.

O I hope God will give me grace and wisdom so that

I will say nothing back but it is so hard to have her

do as she does.

2nd. Friday. Some cloudy this morning but clears off so it is

quite pleasant. M. Corse. came here last night and staid

all night with the boys. Silas came home also Ephraim

shugard off he invited Mr Tracys and Wymans folks

over I left them eating shugar and came up and went

up to Meeting I walked up. Silas and M went up

at noon. Had a first rate meeting a short prayer

meeting at noon Ephraim came up and got me.

Silas went away to night. M. Corse. came again to

night and staid all night again

3rd. Saturday. Pleasant. Moped and mended some &C

I finished reading through The Broken Promise a good

warning too young people I think There was a kind of prayer

meeting over to Mr Libbeys Mother and I went had a very

good meeting. O dear I am lonesome this evening

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4. Sunday. Pleasant.Another pleasant sabbath has arrived

and every one ought to be thankful that they are spared

monuments of God’s mercy. Silas came home about 10 or 11

Ephraim has been over to Grandfathers. Ephraim and Silas

have gone up to prayer meeting at the Dow school house

5. Monday. It is some cloudy and sprinkled a little this

morning. Ephraim shugared off this morning Mother

went out to the shugar House made some nice sugar

E has gone up to the shoemakers. The ­­­­lister 1 was along this

morning.

6. Tuesday. Snows this morning but clears off before noon

but cloudy all day. Eliza Smith came here last night

just after we sat down to tea and went away this morn

we enjoyed ourselves very well. I am sorry to see her

so rude seen she is one of the converts. I went up

to Mr Blakes this afternoon. I hulled some corn to day

Mrs Libby came over to see Mother this afternoon

7. Wednesday. Colder the wind blows quite cold considera-

ble pleasant. I have washed and moped and swept up

stairs and round and sewed some and knit ditto

There has been a prayer meeting here this evening about 18

of us had a good meeting. Headache was here

she asked my forgiveness for what story she told but still says

she was told she has told two different stories about it.

I will try and forgive but I can’t forget such a story as that

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8. Thursday. Very pleasant indeed. Ephraim has been up

to Mr Fletcher’s and got him a churn it is a new kind

I have been over to Grandfathers to day came home early

I have not been there before for a long time When I got

home Mrs Tracy was here so I went to work and got tea

9. Friday. A rainy day rains most of the time. Ephraim been up

East to day Mrs Wymans children all here a little while this morn

I have ironed and finished Mother a shimma and mended

&C and so on

10. Saturday. Another stormy day it both rains and snows.

I have been moping and sewing and choring round.

Finished filling a tub of butter the first tub we

have made this year. Like the new churn very well

11. Sunday. Pleasant. M Corse here last night. Silas

came home and Henry Dunton came along and

they went up to the centre to meeting staid half

the day Henry staid here till evening meeting Ephraim

and I went up Mr Baker preached he preached

very well.

12. Monday. Pleasant. Washed and so forth I called

down to Mr Denio after I got the work done

13. Tuesday. A rainy morning not very pleasant to day it

rains quite hard some of the time Ephraim been down

to Austins to a drawing bee

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14. Wednesday. Another stormy day. I have been sewing

finished me a waist made it out of my gingham

skirt. had a prayer meeting here again this evening 10

of us had a good meeting F C Dunton here this afternoon

15. Thursday. Rains again to day. Mother gone up to

Uncle James Miller’s to day Ephraim gone most all day

The Wyman children here most of the time some of them

16. Friday. Pleasant The wind blows some. Ephraim gone

to the Village today A pedler called today I got me a

Mantilla of him E could not pay him now

17. Saturday. Pleasant and the wind blows quite hard.

Mother been over to Mrs Tracys to day I have been baking

M Corse here tonight

18. Sunday. Very pleasant. Silas came home toward’s noon

and went rite away after tea he brought me a box

of thing that Susan A Reed sent me it was quite a

present. (I have not got a great deal of dirt in my eyes

but am some sleepy after all) I walked up to the Dow school

house to night to meeting Elder Bussel preached

Clara Green was there so I had company home she had

to call to Mr. Brown and Elder Bussel was there so I

had to stay a while I stayed about an hour and talked

with Elder Bussel I had a good talk and it done me good

for I see my way clearer and shall join the Calvanist Baptist

Church if any

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19. Monday. Very pleasant Ephraim and went to the

funeral to day Mary Davis was burried she died Saturday

morning 3 o clock. Elder Bussel preached from John

5.28.29 he preached well just as he always does

This afternoon I went up to Mr Browns again meeting

appointed at 5 but Elder Bussel went up to Thomas

Snell’s and married Mr William Mills to Miss

Julia Davis. Three were taken into the church to night.

Mr Brown Mr and Mrs Cole and five of us related

our experience and are candidates for baptism O I

hope we shall alway be faithful. It was quite a trial

or I thought it was to have to related my experience

for I never heard any one before and only Mr. Brown

to night I am afraid I was rather a green hand

Clara was there so I did not have to come alone

20. Tuesday. Cloudy and the wind blows quite hard. I

have washed and moped and so forth Grandmother just

called in this morning

21.Wednesday. The ground is white this morning and not

a pleasant day cloudy and stormy most some of the time

G. Allard H Dunton N Davis called in here before meeting

The meeting was over to Mr Libby’s I went over S at home

most all day he brought some cloth for overalls. Oh I must just

write what a flop I cut up with Henry D he was going to get his

team and bring me home so smart and while he was gone

I put on my things and marched home

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22. Thursday. Quite pleasant been sewing most of

my spare time. Mrs Wyman came over with her little

girl and mad mother a cup she charged one shilling

23. Friday. Rains and snow clears off just before night

Ephraim and I went up to see Theresa but they were gone

24. Saturday. We have had quite a little snow storm

this afternoon The wind blows quite hard also. We filled

another tub of butter this morning Ephraim has carried

it off got 22 a pound for it I carried Mr Libby’s paper

home and Mr Tracys deed. M S Corse here to nigh I do

not mean all night only here a visiting in the evening

25. Sunday. Considerable pleasant. Silas came home

this morning before we got through eating breakfast for it was

8 o clock when we got up this morning I don’t know when

I lay abed so before but I got up about as soon as Eph.

for he went down to Mr Denio’s awhile this evening

Ephraim and Silas went over to the Eas part of Bakersfield [eve]

to meeting this afternoon Meeting at 2 o clock I gone again this

26. Monday. Pleasant. washed and moped and cut of the bredth’s

of Mother’s dress and run them up and faced it

27. Tuesday. Quite pleasant. I started off on a tramp this morning

I called and see Theresa and to uncle James’es

and then up to James Sargeant’s to Mary Jane had a very good

visit Mary Jane and I generally do. Oh! how I wish she was a christian

Susan Reed came to see me she was here when I got back E came up

and got me I was sorry I went when I found that I had company

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28. Wednesday. Stormy this morning and the wind blows

the ground is considerable white but clears off quite pleasant

this afternoon. The snow is gone the wind continues to

blow quite hard. Ephraim has gone down to see the judge

of Probate. (I am thankful he can’t judge only in this world

and gone to Williams to get some butter tubs. I have

been sewing on Mother’s dress. Grandfather’s folks been up

to Uncle Amos’es and he sent Mother a great nice fresh [callers]

fish. I have been over to Mr. Libbey to prayer meeting. had a number of

29. Thursday. Pleasant. Ephraim took the wagon up to be

booted cushioned. Mrs Denio been here this afternoon visiting.

I finished mother’s delane dress. Mr Brown called at the

gate and told me that Mr Buzzel would not be up

Sunday because the folks over east are making such a

stir and most everyone had given up being baptized O

I am sorry for I had got my mind fixed on it so much.

but this world is full of dissapointments. Mrs Elias

Lawrence is verry rich do not think she will stand it long

30. Friday. Rains a good deal of the time to day. I have

been baking in the brick oven done up a solid baking

it is the first time I have baked in it for a long

time. The last day of April I do not know as I shall

live to see the last day of next month or at least of

another April but it will not make much difference if I

am only ready which I hope I shall be

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1st Saturday. Very pleasant indeed. I have been moping taking

care of butter and such kind of work. Silas came home with

M. S. Corse. to night just dark I have had a good visit with

M to night altho M dont appear hardly a bit as he used

to he is trying to be a christian and I am so glad. I wish

every one would be christians. Only think one week make such

a difference in a person and for the better to Oh! how

much more I can think christians we seem to be friends.

I dare not write my thought’s to night nor my feelings

for perhaps sometime some one will have this book

that I shall not want to know them. But I can say Bless God

2nd Sunday Another pleasant Sabbath day. Ephraim and I

have been to meeting afoot to day for E lent his wagon to Mr

Wyman to go and see her sick brother Elder Bussel preached

from John 1st 29. His health is quite poor so he preached only

one sermon. They or we had a church meeting of sermon

I stayed. Ephraim and went up to prayer meeting this evening

and S also I feel quite happy to night. Don’t you think after

all I have said to Hen Dunton he wants me to go up to

the centre to meeting Tuesday evening what a greenhorn

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3rd. Monday. Very pleasant. I have been awashing and moping

and this afternoon I am kniting some of the time and reading

May Martin or The Money Diggers very good for such a

kind of a book but the Bible is better altho I do not

love to read it as well as I wish I did

4th. Thursday. Very pleasant indeed. Ephraim and I have been down to

the village I only went to see Polly had a short visit. The Dr.

stoped here a moment was in a great hurry. O dear

I am O so downhearted for they say because I am 18 I must

take care of myself. The Dr is very kind to me for he

will advise me &C. I wish I could go to the Centre

to meeting this evening and I should feel better I think.

5. Wednesday. Not so pleasant cloudy and sprinkled this

afternoon and evening. I have been over to Mr. Libbey’s to

prayer meeting. Ephraim goes over and goes into Jims room

and stays

6. Thursday. Bother of a rainy day. Ephraim and Mother

gone up to uncle Williams this afternoon. Jane Wyman come

here soon after they went away and staid about all the time they

was gone I would rather she would not come for I like to be alone.

7. Friday. A little colder and some cloudy. I called in to

see Aurelia a little while this afternoon. There I am

lonesome way down here can’t get out to meeting much

nor any where else. They are having a revival to the Centre

I wish I could go This year is noted for the great revival’s.

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8. Saturday. Pleasant and warm. Roselina and Susan and

uncle William here to tea Roselina and baby here this afternoon

(M.S. Corse here last night and George Allard here till 10 o clock).

Oh! I must say that I had a ver ry very nice present last night.

a fine Bible which I shall always keep for sake of the

giver that is if I can. Finished filling the third tub of butter.

9. Sunday. Cloudy this morning and looks like rain but

clears off pleasantly this afternoon. Ephraim and I have been to

the Centre to meeting the first time we have been as far for

more than a year. Mr. Kent spoke in the forenoon and

Mr. Baker this afternoon enjoyed myself well. I sit with

Mr. Dows people this forenoon and with Laura Davis this

afternoon had invitations enough to sit with people

10. Monday. Pleasant. Had quite a thundershower last night

just dark the first thunder and lightning we have had this year

washed and moped and sewed and knit and &C and so on

11. Tuesday. Cloudy and rains some today. I have been baking Mr

Rivers laying wall here to day Mrs Libbey here most all the afternoon

12. Wednesday. A rainy day rains hard a good deal of the day.

I have been cleaning house to day cleaned the kitchen and

cuppord and some in the buttery E been to West Enosburgh.

13. Thursday. Rains some this morning but clears of quite pleasant

been puttering round some I wish that there was more work to

do here then I should not be so lonesome. I cipher a little evenings

have for 2 or 3 evenings this week.

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14. Friday. Very pleasant a splendid day as pleasant a day

as I ever saw. But O it is dark within not that I am very

unhappy for that is not natural for me but I do not

serve the great God that made me as I ought to I am

such a sinful creture there is no goodness or soundness in

me if God was not a merciful God he would cut me down

and put someone better in my place he would not let

me cumber the ground. O the poor heathen off in Africa.

I wish I could be with them a little while and talk with them

about what a Savior I have found or hope I have found.

15. Saturday. Thunders some and rains quite hard some

or we have quite hard showers 3 or 4 times. Been taking care

of butter and hulling corn and all so on. Mr. Henry Dunton

came here just before dark and I tell you he was not

wanted I wished him a thousand miles away. M Corse

came after 9 o clock Mr. Dunton was just horid enough

and knew just enough to draw a horrid looking

picture and write some as horrid stuff and put it

in M’s pocket little scoundrel I hope he will not

come here again as long as I live here. Silas has hurt his

wrist and has been home most of the day we have

been talking about the estate here Ephraim is so short

about it I wish I could never hear another word said

about it. I think he means to make quite a sum

out of Land but I will not quarrel with them if I never [have anything]

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16. Sunday. Pleasant and is not very warm it is cold

for the time of year. I went to bed and layed bed about an

hour and a half last night or this morning but I have

layed abed considerable to day. Silas went away this morning.

17. Monday. Considerable pleasant and quite windy.

I have washed and moped &C. Called in to Mr. Wyman’s.

Aunt Polly came here to night. M.S. Corse been here this evening.

18. Tuesday. A rainy cloudy day. Ephraim and I have been

to the village. I traded 4>s worth and what I have got

don’t seem as tho I could see anything hardly worth that

M. and I have been up to the Centre to meeting had a very

good pleasant time only it rained all the evening

19. Wednesday. Warm and pleasant it was very cold

yesterday. I went over to Grandfathers with Aunt Polly.

I have been over to Mr Libbey’s to Prayer Meeting

only a very few in for it was not known I did not only

a very few moments before I started

20. Thursday. Sprinkled some and cloudy. Been baking

had two men here to dinner that Ephraim bought

two cows of so that we shall have six this summer.

Mrs. Elias Lawrence died yesternight 10 past 6 O c

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21. Friday. A rainy day. Ephraim and I have been up to

Mrs Lawrence’s funeral. Mr Kent addressed the people

from Revelations 22 chap last clause of the 20 verse

Silas and George Allard called this evening

22. Saturday. Pleasant. I have nothing of importance to

write to day Ephraim been over to Olson Barber’s

23. Sunday. Pleasant till about night up there it

clouds up and in the evening rains very hard.

I went up to meeting a foot E came so I rode home

Mr. Kent preached & expected that there was a

prayer meeting and so did E till after I went away.

M S Corse stopped when he went home from

meeting and staid this evening

24. Monday. Rainy. I have washed and moped and

commenced a rug

25. Tuesday. Some cloudy. Ephraim been to Jacksonville

to day he got my bonnet it has cost me about 32s.

Malcome came up here to night and we went down

and gave Clarissa a talking to for that story she

told whether it will do any good or not I can not

tell I talked very plain to her I think she appears

to be sorry and I hope she will do better.

26. Wednesday. Pleasant. Been cuting Ephraim a

frock and overalls and sewing on the frock. I went

over to prayer meeting this evening very few in

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27. Thursday. Pleasant and warm. I finished E’s frock.

Charlotte Denio and Lorette Farnsworth and myself

went down to Mr Austin Denio’s. Mrs Hopkins and

Adelia came here so I had to come home I went

home about 5 I guess. I sold Mrs. Hopkins my black

bonnet for 1’00 seems as that was rather cheap but she

thought that was all she could give

28. Friday. Pleasant and warm. Been Ironing and

fixing up round some. Mother gone over to see Mrs.

Wyman this afternoon. Silas been at home but has

gone again I think and am quite shure he has gone

over to Daggett’s I do not know what has will become of

him he spends faster than he can earn getting ring

and a watch and locket and all such kind of things

I do wish he would be steady but I do not know

as he ever will be but still I keep hoping

29. Saturday. Very pleasant indeed. Malcome came

here this afternoon between two and 3 staid this eve.

had a good visit he intends going south next week. I need

not write anything about this evening for I shall always

remember it I can say I have made a lasting

promise

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30. Sunday. (I forgot to state friday that Elder

Bussel came over to Mrs Carpenters and sent

Clara over for me and I went over I did not stay

a long time. I was there to tea had a good visit

I wish I was one half as good as I think Elder Bussel [is]

Very pleasant a beautiful day. Silas at home today

or at least a little while he then went off up to Jim

Sargeants and Bessy’s to get his watch fixed I do not

know what will become of him for he is a dreadful

boy. Ephraim and I been up to meeting Elder Buzzel

preached and Baptised Myself Clara and Hannah

he Baptized 4 down in Sheldon today it was at 4 o

clock meeting up east. Eph let Malcome have the

team and come home with me he staid this evening.

To day has been a solemn day with me I have thought

of both my promises about being baptized and my

other promise. I hope I shall always set a good example

before everyone and let my actions always be such as

becomes a churchmember. I always mean to be a

humble true Christian and always be good natured

and of a pleasant disposition. I hope that I shall never

get mad at anyone and scold or jaw for it is a bad

plan. Mr Harwood was married yesterday to Miss

Cordelia Ayers it was a quick match I do not

think hardly anyone even thought it

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31. Monday. Pleasant only the wind blows very hard

I have done a heavy washing and moped and taken care

of butter finished off the fifth tub I am very tired

my stomach feels very bad it has felt bad for a few

days I hope it is not going to trouble me

June

1.Tuesday. Another pleasant day. I have been

baking and had a good many chores to do to day my

feet ached so before 9 o clock that I did not know how

to work but have to work well or ill

2. Wednesday. Pleasant. Ephraim been down to the village he brought

me a letter from Julia Hopkins. I was very glad to get it.

been sewing on Ephraim’s pants. I have been over to meeting

3. Thursday. Pleasant. Uncle Snell’s folks went over to Grandfathers

and so Ephraim carried Mother over. I have ironed &C and so on.

4. Friday. The wind blows very hard. I have moped this morning

I feel rather sober to day I expect M started on his journey

this morning he intended to when I last saw him.

Mary Jane came along and stoped for me and we went

over to Mrs Grouts and Luthers she is so wild that I do

not take half so much comfort with her as I should if she was

steady when we came back she stoped here and she went out

and milked 2 cows for E. I rode over with her and called and saw

Aurelia.

Page 21

5.Saturday. Considerable pleasant. Mrs. Tracy called with Sabra

a while and mother went back with her to Mr. Libbey’s to

a Free Will monthly Meeting.

6. Sunday. Rains a little this morning so that Eph would

not go to meeting I don’t think he would gone anyway. I

hope if I ever get away from here I shall have enough

sense to keep away for I may do and keep doing for them

and then they won’t as much as carry me to meeting

only once in a while up to the school house if it was

anything but a meeting or if he wanted to go he could

go well enough I do not know but he is ashamed of me

because I cannot dress as well as he can but he wont

get anything so I do not know as I am to blame for I

do as well as I can. I know he is able to have nice things and

is well off but how does he get it by cheating Fatherless

Children out of it but perhaps I am censuring him hard

but God forbid that I should. I got all ready to go up

east to Meeting at half past four the meeting commences I

got my bonnet and shawl on all ready for a start and there

come up a shower and he would not go. it has thundered

and rained very hard since then. Silas and George

Allard came with him about 1 oclock Silas I suppose

has gone to meeting. M. Corse came home with him and

staid till well I may as well say morning as anyway.

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7. Monday. Considerable pleasant only the wind blows very

hard indeed. I have washed and moped and this afternoon

Ephraim went down to the village and I went to bed and

slept two or three hours he went down after a barrel of

flour. Very warm to night.

8. Tuesday. Pleasant and warm. Uncle Snell wife and

Grandaughter been here all day. We churned this morning

and I have been baking some and so forth been round

the house about all day. I fixed me a dress or at

least took the waist of a skirt and fixed it to wear

with a jacket. I called in to Mr.Tracy’s and Libby’s

after I got the work done.

9. Wednesday. Cloudy and rains this afternoon. Eph

gone over to Grandfathers to shear his sheep. Mother has

given me a severe talking to to day I do not know

why she should do so unless she is afraid folks will

think more of me than they do of her she has been talking

to me about being religious and from that on to most

everything. It is a hard thought for a child to think

that a Mother will tell things that are absolutely

false and that I know and so do the boys she says

herself that she says to my face and also to my

back that I abuse her and I am willing that anyone

should ask the boys if I do. but enough

Page 23

I have been over to prayer meeting Mr Thomas Lawrence was

down there was no others only the neighbors had the best meeting

we have had at all I think they all appeared to be awake

as Mr Lawrence was talking (he was telling about the people

that used to be to the meetings down here) he “said there

was John Holmes a man I thought everything of.”

I think of Father often but when I hear others speak of him

it seems as though it touched a tender chord.

10. Thursday. Cloudy this forenoon and rainy this afternoon

Ephraim has gone up to Whitman’s to get his boots he

worked on the road this forenoon. Silas. Davis. came here

shortly after E went away and staid till he came back

that’s doing well is it not the first time he came to

see about some harness tackling that Maye had he

and Mother a long talk I think if she was well I

should begin to think but now I cannot I suppose

To night they all went to bed early and I tell you if I was

not lonesome L Davis said a few things that I cannot

understand all I can make out of it was is that he thought

I would not be very happy with or live a happy

life with my Malcome if anyone was going to see

this properly I should not say my Malcome

I wish I could see him or at least know where he is for I

expect he has started or gone to Dunsbury but do not [know]

Page 24

11. Friday. A rainy wet day. I have not got the clothes

dry this week I went out and picked them up and rinsed

them out and hung them up I got as wet as a rat.

I have been moping and sewed some and mended and

knit some Ephraim gone down to the blacksmith shop

12. Saturday. Considerable pleasant. Been ironing for I made

out to get the clothes dry this morning. Ephraim been to work

on the road he took the Yankee Frenchman home to

dinner. After I got the work done I went down across

the branch to Elder Cole’s. I got across pretty well

going down had a very good visit I saw Denison Davis a

few moments. Coming home I got across two streams

well (I crossed where the branch is divided into three

streams) but the third I took of shoes and stockings

and waded through I said nothing when I got home

I will warrant you for they thought me foolish

for going but I do not feel above old Elder Cole

I got home early I did not stay more than two or

three hours at the most I guess I might say an

hour and a half or two

Page 25

13. Sunday. Cloudy and looks like rain but I believe

does not much here. Silas came home about noon. We

all three been up to meeting at four classes the

sabbath school at four I went into one of the classes

and sent for a question book. Elder Buzzel

preached from Mark 14.8 first clause “she hath done

all she could” he preached first rate he always does

but he preached well to night although he looked

about sick abed house full. I believe everyone likes

him and how can they help loving him he is so good.

He gave Hannah and me the right hand of

fellowship to night it was solemn I tell you

he talked well to us There was some wet eyes as well

as mine. Oh I hope I shall always be as good as he

told us to be but I am so sinful and little and

most everything bad I do not know what I shall do.

I wished as Elder Buzzel was preaching to night

that I could go off to Africa as a Missionary but

I suppose that will not be my lot now. M went

last Monday so Silas told me. I have not heard a

word yet

Page 26

14. Monday. A rainy wet day Ephraim been up to

Mr Barbers and down to the village. I have been

doing washing days work as usual and mending &C &C.

15. Tuesday. Pleasant and warm. I have been making beer

and baking. just before tea a little Irish foot pedler with

table cloth and spreads &C called and as he gave me good

Advice I will write it down or at least some of it

for I cannot remember only a little of [what he said] altho he was not

here only a few moments. He was good looking sandy

whiskers he told his name but I have forgotten it short.

He told a story about a Green. (The way he happened to

tell was Mother asked him if his name was Green)

that poisoned his wife when they had been married

only eight days before he married her another girl gave

him the mitten and this Green was going to have a

wagon or sleigh ride and went and asked this girl

and brother to go he told her he was married she said

I don’t believe it he told her it was so she told him

she meant to had him he did not believe that and

asked her if he was single if she would have him she

said yes he went home and poisoned his wife and he

was hung. His advice was try every way to mad a fellow

you could said I what if they get mad let them go and

try another he said that before you was married they

Page 27

was as good as could be would not get mad before you

but after they was married they would scold he said just

as he was about starting that never make a promise

go with just who I was a mind to until he wanted

to get married then go right along and be married.

I said to him that was too late advice he said all

the evil he wished me was that it would turn [out] right

on my side anyway hed said that we were the most

sociable ladies that he had seen to day We had a good

talk. I should like to seen him longer. he came over

in March and in eight days from now he should be

on the ocean he is going back to Ireland

16. Wednesday. The wind blows very hard considerable pleasant

otherwise. I believe I never knew a time when the wind

blew as much as it does this spring. I have been cleaning

up the parlor. Pascal Rivers is laying walk for Eph

I have been over to prayer meeting so few in I do not

know as they will have anymore but I wish they would

for I like to go. Ephraim gone up to uncle Williams Pascal

gone with him

17.Thursday. Pleasant and warm. I have churned taken care of

the butter and washed between 40 or 50 pans to day we are making

soap I have that to see to E and I moved the stove and I have

moped and Ironed and swept all round up stairs I have most of

the water I use to bring. My stomach is so sore and lame I don’t know

what to do after I got the work all done I tried to have E let me

go over to Mr Maynards with him for the ride and he would not let me

Page 28

18. Friday. Very pleasant and very warm. I have been

seeing to the soap and cleaned all round up stairs.

This week the work has been very hard I hope next week

it will be easier and I think it will. Pascal’s being

here this week laying wall makes some work for he

stays all the while.

19. Saturday. Some cloudy and sprinkled a little but

quite a comfortable day. I called in to Mr. Libbys a little

while. Jim first salute was I heard some news about

you the other day that was about my being married the

fourth some how or other I dont know anything about it

only what folks tell me I should like to know how that

happens but it don’t worry me any if it does I don’t know

Ephraim stoped and got Louisa tonight

20. Sunday. Pleasant till just night after meeting was

half out or more it commenced raining. Ephraim carried

Louisa and I up. Mr H preached from Proverbs

8.16 and 3 last verses preached very well mostly to the youth

21. Monday. Pleasant and very warm Ephraim and I

have been down to the store I have been sewing most

of the time since I came home.

Page 29

22. Tuesday. Very pleasant and warm. I have been sick

all day I never worked when I felt worse I worked over

some butter that is about all I have done it finished

the 7th tub I could work only a few moments at

a time then sit down and rest I tasted of nothing

till towards night then I eat 3 or 4 mouthfuls

of bread in ginger tea Mother has done considerable

she washed the dishes this morning the first time

for over two years I feel a trifle better to night

(altho this was not written Tuesday for I could

not have written if I had wanted to)

23. Wednesday. Pleasant. I feel much better today

than I did yesterday I have skimed lots of milk

and done the chores and sewed some Mother has

been over to Mr Tracy’s Silas has come home

to day gone back to night.

24. Thursday. Pleasant and the wind blows

I have done a large washing although I did not

feel much like it I lived through it

25. Friday. Pleasant. I have moped and baked

Silas came home to day unwell gone back again

26. Saturday. Pleasant and very warm has been very

warm all the week Silas came home again today

but is well enough so that he and Eph have gone off

I have ironed and taken care of butter. I have finished my

first white dress to night I received a letter to night

Page 30

27. Sunday. Pleasant and not quite so scorching

hot. Ephraim and I been up east to meeting Silas came

home also and went. Elder Roberts preached two

sermons and Elder Bussell one at 4 o clock and then I attended

Sabath School I had a good lesson. I christened my white

dress I was dressed well to night. These are very vain

thoughts I do wish I was not so proud and wicked

Elder Bussel preached from the first verse in the

Bible

28. Monday. Pleasant. I have washed and moped and

been a strawbrying and got enough for a shortcake pie

and some sauce.

29. Tuesday. Some cloudy and sprinkles just at night

Mother and I were intending to go over to Mr. Libbey’s

but they went away so I have been over to see Aurelia

a little while.

30. Wednesaday. Cloudy this morning but clears off

quite pleasant. Mother went over to Mr. Libbey’s this

morning and I went a little while this afternoon

Ephraim has been to East Berkshire to see the judge

and he saw the Dr and he says he was going to give

me a talking to when he saw me and Eph wont

tell me a word what it is for or about and I

cant imagine and I have got the fidgets well I

can tell you . I have been over to meeting at Mr. Libbey’s

Page 31

July 1858

1st. Thursday. Very pleasant and warm. Ephraim has gone

down to Sheldon to county convention. I went down on

James’s a strawberrying I got a milk pail full before

I picked them over a six quart pan full after I made

preserves of them. Mother Mrs Demio and Libbey gone over

to see Mrs Tracy. I received a letter to night

2nd. Friday. Very pleasant. I have been baking and taking

care of butter and swept the house about all over

Old Mrs Wilburn and Nabby been here also Charley

with them Martha Wright the School Teacher came

and stays with me to night

3rd. Saturday. Some cloudy and much warmer.

Celebration to Bickford today Silas went he came home

about six Ephraim has been up to the centre and down to

the village. Mother and I have been over to Mr. Libbeys

to their monthly meeting Charlotte Dunton was examined

or at least was to tell her experience but she did not

say hardly a word her Father did it for her it did

not seem much like Elder Buzzel’s examination

Page 32

July 4th 1858. Sunday. Cloudy and looks like

rain all day I have been up east to meeting Charlotte

Dunton was baptised and as they tried to be so great and

was a Dunton performance I must write it down to read

in after years. The text was 1st Cor 2 last clause of last verse

“But we have the mind of Christ” I think it a droll text

for such an occasion (but she was set up to the greatest

notch) And the dress was another thing I looked at she was

dressed in white collar prim mitts and all (mitts black of course

dressed up very nice to go into the water and then she had a

Silk pinned over her head so that the water would not

run into her ears and held one tight over her mouth and

nose so as not to strangle. I think a christian need not

be afraid of strangling when they are buried with

Christ in baptism. Mr. Ladd was dressed in superfine

black the same as in the pulpit. I understand C

would not wear a cloak (she calls them) as we did she

was immersed in rear of the school House

5. Monday. Pleasant. I have washed and moped Mrs

Libbey here this afternoon Elisa Smith just called

she had been over to Wyman’s to trade and first run

over here and I went back with her. Mr Tracy came

over and got some swill to night he occasionally comes

and gets some

Page 33

6. Tuesday. Pleasant and warmer it was quite cool

last night and this morning in fact it is cool weather

for this time of year. Ephraim was going to the Centre so he

carried Mother down to H Rice’s and I went to see the Dr

but he is always gone when I go there when we came back

I stoped to Mr Reed’s and made a visit had a good

visit Susan came as far as the top of the hill this side of

the school House with me we called to Mr Maynard’s

I called to Mr Demio’s I have spoke with about 25

different persons to day

7. Wednesday. Pleasant. I have been unwell all the

afternoon I am afraid my health is going to give out

Ephraim has been down to the village.

8. Thursday. Some cloudy this afternoon Ephraim

and Mother have gon up to uncle Snell’s I should

like to have gone but I am not well enough and

had a large ironing good deal of starching &C to do

9. Friday. Some cloudy but a good day. I am not very

smart but so that Mother and I have been up to

Mr Hopkins’es had a good visit Mr Libbey brought

up the paper and I was very much disappointed because I

did not get a letter and I am some lonesome

Page 34

10. Saturday. Considerable pleasant this forenoon but it

rains as hard this afternoon as I ever knew it to we have had

very hard showers. Ephraim has been to the village to day and

staid till the mail came in and I got no letter from M

and am almost a good mind to be vexed about it

11. Sunday. Rather rainy the fore part of the day and

cloudy in the afternoon. Ephraim Silas and I have been up

to meeting at 4 o clock Elder Buzzel preached from

the 4th chap of John he preached well. I attended

Sabbath School .

12. Monday. Rains very hard the forenoon. Ephraim has

been up east and down to the village and round this

afternoon it has not rained but cloudy. I called over to

James’es Charlotte Dunton is there now. I can’t go there

lately but what James laughs at me little plague

13. Tuesday. Rainy day have had 3 or 4 hard showers.

Uncle James and Aunt Polly Ann .been here this afternoon

Uncle Levi Far came here just as tea was ready

14. Wednesday. Some cloudy yet but considerable pleasant.

Silas came home last night and staid till

long 9 o clock or so to day uncle Levi went away just

after dinner Ephraim’s hired boy Henry Coon came

this morning. Ephraim has been folish enough to swap colts with

Ben Far and I am a good mind to write that dreadful word

Trouble for I hate to see things going as they are

Page 35

I have been trying to have him settle with me but he

wont and now to see Fathers colt as fat and handsome

as could be everyone praising it and telling how fat and

handsome she was and to think that it is swaped off

for an old poor thing and even to it is to bad.

And I have not heard from for so long a time that

I have really got the blues a little I do not mean to be

downhearted for that is not right but I feel some bad

but God knows what is best for me and if I only served

him as I ought I would be glad Oh! how glad I have

his holy word to read and for that I aught to be more

thankful. Perhaps this momentary trouble is a punishment

for my unfaithfulness and ungodliness but I sincerely

want to do better but it is so easy to be wicked for

such an unfaithful unprofitable servant as I am.

My health is also poor for me tho I dare not say so

here out loud but I am not near so fleshly as I was

before I was sick that Tuesday I think and am sure

This moment while I am writing my head aches and

my stomach pains me so that I don’t know how to

write I have to work harder than I ought to but they

hire me so I must work. I fixed my skirt this

afternoon and Mother said that they did not hire me to

work for myself and other girls are offered 1.50 I have ‘75

Page 36

15. Thursday. Very pleasant and warm. Ben Far came

back with Rob early this morning the colt he had he has not

paid for so he cannot swop nor sell it. Ephraim does not

act as though he was much sorry and I guess he is not

We filled the eighth tub of butter this morning.

16. Friday. Very pleasant and very warm. I have made a

cheese to day and beer and sewed and all so on My headaches.

After I got the work done I went down to Mrs. Demo’s

17. Saturday. Pleasant and warm. I have churned some and

taken care of the butter and moped and ironed this forenoon.

Ephraim has gone to the village to night and carried Henry

he was going home he calls it but poor boy he has

no home I am very sorry for him he is a dreadful

wicked boy Silas came home to night. Mr. Chilson

came and helped the boys part of the afternoon.

18. Sunday. Pleasant. We have been up to Sabbath

School Mr Kent is unwell so he did not come down

Mr Chilson came back to night. Oh! I got a letter last

night it was after I went to bed but I’ll bet after

all the rest had gone to bed I jumped up and read it

pretty quick it was a good long one. And Ephraim and I

received one from the same person Henry Miller had

got it

Page 37

19. Monday. Pleasant. I washed made cheese and had

a lot of milk to skim and pans and dishes all washed

at ½ past 9. This afternoon I have picked currants for

preserves.

20. Tuesday. Pleasant. I have been baking

Mrs Wyman and Sabra called awhile I am in a

hurry so I cant stop to write any more. I called in

to Mr Libbeys a little while

25. I have been sick ever since Tuesday night and have

not written any I was real sick Wednesday and Thursday

not much better if they would only get someone else

to do the work a few days and let me rest and it

would do me no hurt to Doctor some I think

I guess that Ephraim will never find any one else that

will crawl round as I do. John Hayse ran away

last Monday night.

Sunday. A beautiful Sabath morning cool very for

this time of year Silas came home yesterday afternoon

I have been up to sabbath school. Jims folks are gone

and Charlotte came over and is staying with me to

night she came and made me a visit last

Thursday afternoon. I was over to Jims last Tues

night as I was coming home I met Thomas Snell

and I signed 50 cts towards having Elder Bussel

preach up east next year comencing 1st Sept

Page 38

26. Monday. Pleasant. I have washed and moped besides

the other house work. Henry Coan does not come back

his brother wants him rather bad for Ephraim E 22 today

27. Tuesday. A curious day it has not stormed but

very little while it looks like it then will clear off and

the sun will shine. I have been baking.

28. Wednesday. Considerable pleasant and the wind

blows. Such fine wether and comfortable health and I

serve God so little for these mercies and my influence

is not such as I wish it was Oh I am not enough of

a christian I have not enough of the love of jesus

shed abroad in my heart I want to be more like [him]

Clarissa sent to have me come down there I went

29 Thursday. Rains a good deal to day. Ephraim been

down to the village. Mr Wyman handed me a letter

last night when I was coming home Clarissa an Joseph

ine were with it was from my friend

30 Friday. Not very pleasant Ephraim been to the Centre

31. Saturday. Pleasant. I have made cheese moped washed

windows and chairs and all so on I tried to milk tonight.

Ephraim did not let me finish

Page 39

1st. Sunday or Lord’s day. Pleasant and I wish I were a good as

it is pleasant. I went to meeting and sabath school

enjoyed myself very well. I have made one resolve and some

other things I wish to note down resolves not to make a

practice to write letters of business nor any letters only to

one dear friend and as I do not get much time weekdays

I will or do write some sundays to that friend.

And I promised to let Susan Reed know when I have

made arangements to go to school and I do not wish to

forget it. Elder Bussel preaches at the Mission House

one week from to day up east at 4 o clock at church

meeting two week from yesterday at the Mission House

at two oclock. It is so dark I can hardly see to write so

I must stop

2nd. Monday. a washing day. Some cloudy and has rained a

little Ephraim finished haying to night. I have done

something to night that I never done before for I

milked all of one cow. Mr Chilson went home to night

and just to show how Mother uses me I will write

what he told me she told him I have done some work

for him and he spoke about paying me she says to him she

is to work for Ephraim hand it to him but said he to me

when I get the change I shall hand it to you Henry Isariel and **** here [to night a while]

Page 40

3. Tuesday. baking day. Not very pleasant Uncle Amos

and Ephraim been over to Grandfathers and worked part of

the day. I called over to Jims Charlotte came home with me to stay all [night]

4. Wednesday. Not very pleasant the wind blows quite hard

Ephraim went down to Jacksonville this morning

5thursday. Funny weather today rained all round

us but has not rained much here. Mr Chilson at work

for Ephraim to day they finished up over to grandfathers

did not get home until very late I got the cows and

milked two. I went up on Horace’s hill a berrying did

not such a great many but I saw a beautiful prospect

I could see the Milking House at the Centre Dow school

House and almost ours and a great deal more all

at one view Oh I should like to live in such a sightly

place I could but pause wonder and praise God.

6. Friday. Rains quite hard some of the time I have

been ironing taking care of butter &C &C.

7. Saturday. Pleasant. Ephraim is at work for Isac Wilburn

this afternoon I went out and picked six quarters of berries

I made preserves and had to work like fun I got the cows

and milked three

Page 41

8. Sunday. Very pleasant indeed Ephraim and I been

down to the chapel Elder Bussel preached I have not been

down there before for considerable over a year to meeting

I received a letter to day. I came home and got a cold

supper and went up to meeting again.

9. Monday. Pleasant. Edgar Wyman with called about

dusk a little while

10. Tuesday. Pleasant and very warm

11. Wednesday. It rains part of this afternoon. Mrs

Tracy here. I have been spining some to day what I

could get time to. I got a letter to night

12. Thursday. Some cloudy

13. Friday. Pleasant. Mother gone over to Miss Carpenters

14. Saturday. Very warm and pleasant. Ephraim

and I have been to jacksonville and I went to a

covenant meeting. The first I ever attended I did

not stay till it was out for E was in a hurry

15. Sunday. Pleasant. Ephraim and I went up

east to meeting to night.

16. Monday. Very pleasant. I do not write what I do

for I find enough to do all the time. This is poor

paper so I can’t write very well and I guess that there

is no one that can and it is so rough that it spoils my

pens

Page 42

17. Tuesday. Very pleasant. I have been over to see

Laura I went dow across the branch steped across on

the stones the water is very low they sent over and Louisa

and jenni came up we had a real good time I did

not get home untill most dark Lib Barnes had

been here and I thought I could not go to bed

till I saw her so I went over a few moments.

She is just the same girl as she used to be she

has got to be a tall fine young lady now. I wish

she was a christian that is all she lacks of being

one of the best of girls

18. Wednesday. Pleasant. I have got a severe

headache this morning and awhile I was so dizzy

I could but just see.

19. Thursday. Cloudy and not very pleasant. Ephram

was going to jacksonville and so he went up round

by the Centre and left me I called at the Dr he

was gone and so I came back to Mrs Rices to see

about a boarding place if she keeps house I can

board with her I came down to the Graveyard the

first time I have been there since dear Father

was burried it don’t seem as though hes rested

there but I suppose his body does but his spirit has

flown away to Heaven. I saw one grave stone which

was particularly touching a childs with a little hand painting

[upwards]

Page 43

20. Friday. Not very pleasant. Mr Corse came down

here to day to see if I knew anything about Malcome

his letters are being sent back to the Centre I think he

must have gone away from D. I am very sorry for his

for they feel very bad about him Mr Corse

appears like a fine old gentlemen I was introduced

to day he told me he should like to have me come

there and board and I guess I had better for it is near

21. Saturday. Pleasant

22. Sunday. Cloudy. Ephraim and I have been up to

meeting Mr. Ladd preached I went up a foot

but it rained a little and Ephraim came up and

got me

23. Monday Pleasant. I have been washing &C &C.

I went over to Mr Wyman’s and got cloth enough

for me a waist and a dress pay with socks I sit

up till ten o clock and sewed

24. Tuesday. Cloudy and rains this evening some

Mr Jim and John Hayes came and helped E get

up oats they were here to supper just after we

had got seated I happened to look out and who

should I spy but Malcome just come to town

Page 44

25. Wednesday. Very pleasant. I have done the

house work and sewed till after nine I have made

a dress since Monday night anyhow

26. Thursday. Very pleasant Mrs.Brown

Mrs Carpenter and Miss Carpenter and Helen Lawrence

came to see us this afternoon Helen staid all night

she wants I should go there and board but Mr

Corse called and told me I could go ther and I

think I shall

27. Friday. Cloudy. Mrs Wyman came to see

us this afternoon with her little girl I finished

my waist to day.

28. Saturday. Cloudy and rains to night and

very hard part of the night I have been to the store

this afternoon and after chore time I called in to

Mr Denio’s and Wilburns and came home &

M was here had a good visit

29. Sunday. Cloudy. Ephraim and I went up to [4 o clock meeting]

30. Monday. Rainy done a large washing Elisa

came to night Mrs. Libby called I just called

in to Mr Wymans

31. Tuesday. Rainy. I have been full of business

so I could not write any of the particulars but

will try and do better when I get up to school

good bye to home now

Page 45

September

1. Wednesday. Considerable pleasant it is some

cloudy. I came away from home this morning I

came here to Mr Seth Corse’s to board and attend

school I like as well as could be expected everything

is pleasant and convenient and nice as can be

There is nothing more I could ask for I got along

pretty well at school considering that I am a

green farm girl I am some lonesome

2.Thursday. Pleasant. I have been to school

and after school Maria and I went down to the

burying ground. I can see where Father rests

but I cannot see him

3rd Friday. Not very pleasant it rains this after

I have just got through with my lessons and

have seated myself to write to Julia

4. Saturday. Pleasant. There is no school to day

we read and Mr Sherman asked some questions

about Arithmetic that was all I went home to

night

5. Sunday. Rains to night some Ephraim

and I & Elisa went up east to meeting Elder

Bussel preached right up here a good way

Page 46

6. Monday. Pleasant. I have got so lazy that

I don’t write much but I don’t study as much

as I aught to I don’t know where my time goes

7. Tuesday. Very pleasant they have company here

to day. There is no school to day Ephraim called

to see me but Silas came most forward of

the house with Hen and did not so much

as come in

8. Wednesday. Pleasant. I am not very well

yesterday and to day I vomited yesterday quite hard.

9. Thursday. Pleasant.

10 Friday. Rained quite hard last night

[to night]

I have written a composition sunset

11. Saturday Pleasant. Ephraim came up and

got me he stayed to dinner I went home

and washed and worked all the time Hen

called and made quite a visit.

12. Sunday. Rather rainy this morning E and I

have been up to meeting Elder Bussel

preached from Proverbs 4th 23 a first rate

sermon. Malcome came down to our house

and we had a good visit or at least I did &

will let him say whether he did or not himself

well I guess he did for he staid late enough

Page 47

13. Monday. Pleasant. I got up and ironed this

morning and helped Elisa a little and came up

to school. I have got a very hard cold

14. Tuesday. Pleasant. My cold grows worse &

worse. I have been down to the burying ground

to night I love to wander there it creates solemn

thoughts and thoughts long to be remembered.

15. Wednesday morning I have such a cold that

I cant go to school I am very sorry for I want to be

learning for I find I am a very dull scholar.

16. Thursday. Rainy day. I went to school this

forenoon have not been this afternoon my reasons

for not going are because I have got (I believe)

the worst cold I ever had and we don’t have

no fire and it is both cold and damp and

I had not aught to go. I have helped Electa

sew some this afternoon

17. Friday. Rather rainy again to day I have

been to school this forenoon and intended to

go this afternoon but went and had my

Profile taken sit six times got one picture

Page 48

18. Saturday. Pleasant. I sit four times this

morning and made out to get my Ambrotype

and that cost me two dollars. Ephraim come

and got me before dinner. Phary and baby were

there Phary and I went up Mr Denio’s a

few moments Howards folks came in the eve

but we did not get home till just as they

were starting off Ephraim went to carry Elisa

home and I called on Louisa she went home

with us

19. Sunday. Pleasant. I went up to Sabath

School with Ephraim and Louisa Ephraim

came and brought me back this evening.

I called down to see Dr Page it is not expect[ed]

he will live much longer but he is ready

to die Oh I am so glad he is. Nancy

20. Monday. Pleasant the wind [blows] some

oh dear I wish I learned faster

21. Tuesday. Rainy. Malcome and I watched with the

corpse of Dr. Page the night was rather long Laura and

Esther Davis came up here to day. Father died two

years ago to day

Page 49

22. Wednesday. Pleasant. I came home and went

to bed and forgot to get up until half past

10 o clock I went to school this afternoon

23. Thursday. Considerable pleasant Mr. Page

is burried to day I went from school

down to the house Maria had a company or

at least some of the scholars came down

I don’t know how many or who and I was

not asked in to the parlor and I am some

mad I can tell you I don’t mean to get

mad for it is not right but I know

when I am used well. I took a right tonight went home

24. Friday. Pleasant. Ephraim was up to day

25. Saturday. Very pleasant. Miss Learnard came here

this afternoon. I have been assisting her in Arithmetic

I called down to Mr Lawrence’s a little while after

ten

26. Sunday. Pleasant. I staid and went to meeting

I went all day and this evening. Dr. R Eaton is dead

27. Monday. Pleasant. Maria is going home to night

so as to go to the fair tomorrow.

Page 50

28. Thursday. Tuesday Pleasant and warm. I have been to

the fair had a good time. I called down to Mother this am

29. Wednesday. Pleasant been to school

30. Thursday. Considerable pleasant. Maria and I

went over to the Office and coming back we called and

heard Miss Safford play on the Pianno

Page 51

1st Friday. Rainy I have been to school. Mr Corses

folks have company her sister and niece and their

husbands I believe.

2nd Saturday considerable pleasant Ephraim came

after me about 2 oclock

3rd Sunday. cloudy all day and looks like rain but

does not untill night I walked up to sabath S

and from there up to uncle Snell’s he is a sick

man. I had to go back down to the school House in

the rain mud and dark I got back just after

Meeting comenced as wet as a rat I came from

there to the centre it rained so we stoped to Mr

A Davis’es he brought them up to their home

and so we stoped a short time until that shower

was over the Minister was there Mr Townsend

4. Monday. The wind blows and cloudy early

in the morning it was considerable pleasant

I have been to school

5. Tuesday. considerable pleasant. I have been to

school. Malcom and I have been down east to meeting

Elder Buzzell preached form Romans 7. 21 a very

good sermon a real good one We had quite a talk

with him after we started for home. Maria come

back to night

Page 52

6. Wednesday. stormy to night and dark.

I have attended school

7. Thursday. not very pleasant rains very hard this

afternoon so hard that Ihave not been up to school

I sent out to St. Albans yesterday for a bonnet

by Malcolme and he has got me a beauty a better

one than I am able to have it cost about $4.cc

I don’t know to have such a one this fall but it

suits me to a charm as to color and such thing

it is none to large by the by.

8. Friday. very cold and snows a little the Mount

ains are considerable white. I have been to school.

9 Saturday. a stormy bad day. Malcome carried

me down to the Mission House but their meeting

fouled up excepting a prayer meeting that was

out when we got from there we went up to Mothers

took supper there and went up to the Dow school House

to meeting this evening.

10. Sunday. not very pleasant. Ephraim and I have

been up to meeting Elisa went home last night

so I have the work to do and I find enough to do

Ephraim carried me up to meeting to night intending

to bring me up to night but come to get ready to start

Miss Elisa must be carried home she said her sister was

going to bring her back and would not go home with us [before]

very interesting meeting this evening

Page 53

11. Monday. rather cloudy. I was back this morning I got

to school in season I called in to the Doctor to see Almira

12. Tuesday. considerable pleasant. Silas been up to day

he stoped and see me a few moments got along well to day

13. Wednesday. rainy and bad today.

14. Thursday. Pleasant been to school

15 Friday. considerable pleasant Been to school

16. Saturday. very pleasant. We had our first paper read

today a lot of company in but we did not care for it

was good Ephraim was here to get me as soon as school

was out I have fixed my cape this afternoon this evening

Silas carried Elisa home and I went with them had

quite a little party had a very good time we two Mrs Libby [came to see us]

17. Sunday. some cloudy and rains some Ephraim

and I have been to Jacksonville to meeting one sermon

and then up east Mr Townsend preached I came

up here to night I have been going a steady round

most ever since I went away

18. Monday. considerable pleasant. I have been to schol

This afternnoon about 1 o clock Susan Reed took a

start and walked to jacksonville and back in

about 3 hours.

Page 54

19. Tuesday. pleasant and warm. Attended school

Called in to see Mrs Page this evening she wanted me

to stay all night but I thought I had not better

20. Wednesday. some cloudy Attended school

21. Thursday. very pleasant. I have attended school.

This evening Susan and I went down east a foot

and down to meeting again to night had a good time some tired

22. Friday. pleasant. Silas came up here this afternoon

he stayed and he and Mr Leonard Susan and I

went down to meeting again to night.

23. Saturday. stormy rains this afternoon most all

the time and very hard some of the time Malcome carried

me down to meeting (although there was rain) and then

round home and up to meeting again this evening he

and Silas went and watched.

24. Sunday stormy been to meeting up east six were

baptized thanks God for converting souls been north [this eve]

25. Monday pleasant and very cold came up this morn

and like to for as I seemingly been to school S here

to day for dinner

26. Tuesday. pleasant. I have been up to meeting this evening

27. Wednesday. pleasant Silas has been round here all day

long I had not dare to ask him to stay to dinner or supper for fear

it would make a fuss I tell you I feel rather bad about

it I have been down to spooners hall to a performance I went with

M but should not have gone if it had not been for S Leach

Page 55

28. Thursday. pleasant. I have been at our home to night.

If Father was alive he would be 48 years old to day

29. Friday. considerable pleasant. Louisa came up here

night before last I have been over to the store with her

I took supper to Electer’s to night the first time I ever

ate there

30. Saturday. it rained last night and is cloudy to

day I stayed all night with Louisa and staid untill

after breakfast had a very good time this forenoon to

school oh dear I am figity as I can be this afternoon.

The old Lady is mad or I should think she was and

I don’t know what to do I wrote to uncle Henry

this morning and am going to write to Polly this

afternoon

31st. Sunday. rather stormy. I wish I had gone home for

I am homesick no mistake. I hope Maria is satisfied

now she has got them mad at me and not tell any

more lies or stories. I have been to meeting all day

and this evening Maria came back to night I have

not wished school out before but I don’t care much

now how soon it is out if Malcom and Louisa

were not here I verily believe I should die with the

blues I hate snakes in the grass

Page 56

November

1st. Monday. pleasant been to school I helped them

pare apples to night Maria did not tuck a finger

to help but still the old lady believes what she says

because she’s an upper ten but never mind.

2nd Tuesday. pleasant. attended school Malcom was

going up to Warren Corse’s so I went home walked

from the sand hill got home Mother was all alone

had a good talk with her I feel much better I feel

about as good as any one to night

3rd. Wednesday. considerable pleasant

Malcolm and I went down to see the Lawrence girls

but they were gone so we came back and called on

Mrs. Walbridge. I have another hard cold see Mrs Wallins

[but the girls were gone so we went up]

4th. Thursday. stormy. M and I went down to Mr Lawrences

5th. Friday. cloudy attended school to day. Malcome carried

Louisa and me down to Mothers I went to day untill

Monday I have carried on to a great rat this evening

6th Saturday. rather cloudy and stormy I have fixed

my dress and &C Elder Buzzell took tea with us

I pierced Eliza’s ears this afternoon we went to

meeting this evening it is verry bad getting about

Page 57

7. Sunday. Snows a very bad day Ephraim

would not go to meeting to day but Elder Buzzell

sent M with Mr Wheeler’s team for me and

then I had to go home afoot in the rain snow mud

oh I was never out such going afoot before

8th. Monday. rainy and bad to day and real cold

E brought me up this morning it is verry bad I did

not get here in season to go to school this forenoon

9th Tuesday. not very pleasant yet been to school.

Maria and I went down to the girls room to Mrs

Rice’s and so up to the Baker girls room and to the

Post Office Teacher Sherman was there had a verry

good time

10th Wednesday. rather dull weather yet

Maria and went down to Mrs Rices again

to night quite a number of the scholars there

did not stay late

11th Thursday. snows some to day Electa had a

last night and don’t you think we all had to go

over there and eat breakfast this morning I would

willingly go without mine rather than gone

over there after it Louisa went home sick last

night so you see they are left without a girl and

the folks here have the work to do.

Page 58

12th. Friday. pleasant and cold attended school

Ephraim came and got me this evening

13th. Saturday. snowy and windy. I have fixed my

plaid dress been sewing some for myself Silas and

I went over to Mr Tracys and Libbeys

14. S aturday [un]. cold and very pleasant Ephraim

brought me up here again to night Maria went

home and I had to go and stay with Electer I

wanted to attend meeting Nelson L James was

there and I am not used to such works he told

some of the largest stories I ever heard to my

rembrance.

15th Monday. snowy cold and bad I went over to

Mr Brewers to reherse so have only had my

juice to day The school was given up to day to

prepare the meeting house for exhibition

16th Tuesday snowy cold and had examination

I did not miss one question I think I was lucky

school closed to night Mr Sherman talked well

to us I don’t think there was a girl but what

shed tears for we all like him, he is the best Teacher [I ever went to]

17th Wednesday a bad day a pleasant evening

quite good sleighing our exhibition was to night had

a good one I came home to night E was up but

M brought me home

Page 59

18. Thursday. pleasant worked hard all day I do

not find things as I left them it is a new

fashioned way to hire a girl and give them a

dollar a week and have them leave all the work

for me to do

19. Friday. pleasant. worked hard again to day I am tired

20. Saturday. pleasant. taken care of butter moped and

churned some in the buttry and sewed some this afternoon

we went to singing school up east to night had a good [one]

21. Sunday. a very pleasant day and beautiful even

oh The day has seemed real long to me I have not

been lonesome any before E and I went to meeting

this Elder M Glofflin preached a good sermon

22.Monday pleasant I have done a large wash

to day and my stomach is so lame I don’t

know how to stir in fact I am lame most all over

Mr Tracy and wife and Mr H Dunton Mrs

Bessy and Miss Blake came here this evening

23 Tuesday. snow hard all day only a few moments

in the morning Uncle William and wife here

to day Uncle William is slim no mistake

just putting on his overcoat tires him so I *****

him so kerse all over the room I don’t know how

much further he could be heard

Page 60

24. Wednesday. considerable pleasant. Lizzie

Barnes called here she is going home tomorrow

I went over and see her this evening Ephraim

and Silas gone down to the village

25thursday it rains or as near rain as

anything Nelson Davis came and got me

to go and watch with Louisa she is a pretty

sick girl Uncle Amos brought me home

I got home before our folks were up

our folks butchered to day Mr Wilburn

helped Ephraim

26 Friday. it storms a little about every

day lately

27 Saturday rains or snows rain again

this evening Mrs Tracy and Sabra came

over a while this afternoon Ephraim and

I have been up to sinning school this eve

I am surprized to see how **** I have got

to be oh I wish I was stricter it will ruin

me if I don’t **** down and I must

try hard to for I can if I try

I went up and see Louisa she teased hard

to have me stay with her

Page 61

28. Sunday. cloudy. Ephraim and I are

intending to go up to meeting this evening

Grandfather and Grandmother just called

in to day

29. Monday. considerable pleasant I have washed

ironed baked &C and I guess I am some tired

30. Tuesday. snows and the wind blows very hard

I have baked and made citron preserves and

I can't tell what all. Ephraim is quite unwell [to day]

Page 62

December

1st. Wednesday. very pleasant. I have been down

to Mr Wilburns a while this evening.

I have moped and cleaned and ironed and so on

2nd. Thursday. The wind blows considerable hard

and rain snows some this evening. It is Thanksgiving

day with us it stops here to day Grandfather and

Grandmother and Malcome here Malcome and I

went up to sining The boys went also after sining

school we went over to Denis Dow’s and staid

and had a very good time

3rd Friday. snows. There is a meeting to night

but I can’t go. I received a letter from Hannah

Bradford a good letter it was to

4th Saturday some cloudy. Ephraim is sick

to day

5th. Sunday. The wind blows very hard a bad day

to be out. There is a meeting up east but I cannot

go this has been a very long day to me I am lonesome

6th Monday. pleasant as you please. I have a severe

cold and I have not washed to day. This evening seems

as long as a day.

Page 63

7th. Tuesday. not so pleasant and to day The wind blows

hard again this afternoon and evening. We have been to

sining school this evening. Malcome came over after

singing school with Sabra I received a paper from Polly

8. Wednesday. The wind blows some to day. We went

up and made our cousins Jaims and Theresa visit [this evening]

9th. Thursday. considerable pleasant. I am sick to

day I don’t know whether it is my cold or what ails

me I am better to night so I went over to

meeting we had a first-rate meeting there was

only half a dozen of us. The women prayed as well

as the men and we had a good time Mother and

Ephraim thought I was foolish for going but

they don’t know how much good it done my soul

10th. Friday. some cloudy and cold. I have been to the [Centre to ****]

11th. Saturday. pleasant. Ephraim and I been to singing

12th. Sunday. very pleasant. I have staid at home

all day

13th. does not storm a great deal but the wind

blows hard very hard part of the evening the

There was a meeting down to our school house

Mr Townsin preached I went and I thought

it would all most blow me away had a very

good meeting text Psalms 7th 1st 2nd and 3rd

I believe.

Page 64

14th. Tuesday. considerable pleasant through the day

Mr. Stevens called on us a little begar girl

came while he was here she is to be pitied

Though I don’t pity her as much as I ought to

I gave her a plate of victuals and a pair of

stockings They were not very good but were better

than hers. Malcome called and got some corn

15th. Wednesday. rains and snows The snow is most

gone. We have stormy days in our minds

as stormy as weather at least I do I have

not to day as I know of for I generally fell

pretty well I believe though I have the blues

some I wish I enjoyed more of the love of God

and my Saviour.

16. Thursday. pleasant. Mr Brown is here to work for

Ephraim. I walked up to singing school this evening,

M brought me back

17th Friday. very pleasant. Mr. Brown went home

to night we went to singing school

18th. Saturday. pleasant. I have been very all day

The boys gone down to the village. Horace and wife

here this evening

Page 65

19th. Sunday. very pleasant and cold. Ephraim and I

been to Jacksonville to meeting Mr. McGloflin

preached text in the forenoon was 2nd Cor 8th 9th

20. Monday. pleasant. Mr Brown here again to

day. I have washed and baked I am tired to night

21st Tuesday some snowy. Nelson Celia Harriett

Laura and Esther were here this evening had a good [visit]

22. Wednesday. windy and stormy.

23. Thursday. considerable pleasant. I have been over

to prayer meeting had a very good one

24. Friday. pleasant. Ephraim went has been [ went]to Bakersfield

yester M came down here this afternoon I went

to sining school with him

25. Saturday. pleasant. been to sining school

this evening Louisa came home with us

26. Sunday. very pleasant Ephraim Louisa & I

went up to meeting this evening Mr Townsend [preached]

27. Monday. windy and stormy. Mr. Allen died

Friday night and is burried to day it was so

bad we did not attend. I received a letter from

Polly to day. There is a Meeting to our school house

this evening Ephraim has been

Page 66

28. Tuesday. windy and bad this forenoon pleasant

This afternoon Ehraim and I have been to jacksonville

this forenoon. I traded ’84 ½ cts. We have been over to B Fars

29. Wednesday. considerable pleasant.

30. Thursday. pleasant. M came here before and

after singing school. Ephraim and I

been to singing school. M gave Mother a

New Years present a book

31st. Friday. a dreadful day the wind blows

dredful to tell it blew so hard last night

that it tore a sheet into two pieces all

but a mitt on one end and a tablecloth

char in two zigzag. We got ready to go to

singing school but H & L Mrs Wyman

came so we did not go

New years pleasant considering the

storm we had yesterday E and I got

ready to go to singing school Mr and Mrs

Wyman came and we did not

dark and must stop.

Page 67

January 1859

2nd. considerable pleasant Ephraim and I have

been up to Meeting this afternoon Elder

Buzzell preached from Sam 1st T2th

Another year is past and gone and with

it its trouble and trials as well as joys

it is so dark that I must close but I

would like to write more but cant never

This is the first New year that I have pretended

to serve the Lord I hope and pray that I may be a

faithful follower of Christ and serve him better

than I ever have. I am so wicked and sinful

I am afriad I never shall get to Heaven

I certainly never should if God should

punish me as I deserve to be but he is

a God of great mercy “And his mercy

endureth forever” and I hope he will have

mercy on me and save me This evening has seemed long to me so I

got some paper and wrote a letter to Polly

I knew that it was not right but the

time seemed so long I did do so

Page 68

3rd. Monday . pleasant. I have washed

4th. snows part of the day and quite hard this

evening. I watched with Charlotte last night

she is horibly sick. I stood and faned her towards

an hour and it is quite cold no fire in the room

I should think she would think it was high

time to make her peace with God.

Mr. Hamlet is at work for Ephraim

we have been to singing school this evening

5th. snowy. C Wilburn wife and the Teacher here this eve

6th Thursday. pleasant. Ephraim and his man

have been to jacksonville I have been over

to prayer meeting. we did not have as good a

prayer meeting as we do sometimes

6. Friday. The wind blows considerable hard it is

warmer so that it rains and thawing considerable

8 7th. Saturday. pleasant and very cold Ephraim found

some little pigs this morning I guess they will all

freezze to death. There was seven now there is only

four We have been to singing school

Ephraims hired man has got through went

home at noon he has work ever since Monday

Elisa Smith and Miss Dow came to see us

this afternoon

Page 69

9th Sunday pleasant and cold

10th. Monday. pleasant. I have washed

& is the coldest day I ever experienced old people

say the same

11th. Tuesday. pleasant and cold not as cold

as it was yesterday. We have been up to Uncle

Snell’s he is quite comfortable for him to day

I came down to Mr Browns and staid

till singing school

12th Wednesday. pleasant I feel rather discouraged

and downhearted. I don’t know but still I

wish I was rich so I could have a home of

my own and money to do as I pleased with

13th. Thursday. stormy and the wind blows some

I called in to Mrs Wymans and traded a little

I have been over to prayer meeting this evening

14th Friday. pleasant and warm

We went over to Grandfathers but they were

all ready to go up to uncle Snell’s so Ephraim

left us to Mr Nichols’es had a good visit

Luthera and I went down to the poor farm

I saw persons to be pitied I hope I shall never have

to go to the poor House if I do I hope it will

before another fall I went to singing school to night

E went and watched with uncle Snell I walked from

******* *******

Page 70

15. Saturday. The wind blows some and warm

the snow is most gone I have moped baked and

Ironed and all so on

[rather stormy it snows]

16. Sunday. very pleasant indeed. Ephraim and I been

up to Meeting This evening. Elder McGloflin is sick

so we had a prayer Meeting not as much interest

as there is sometimes the women and girls as well

as men were backward.

I have rather strange feelings lately I cant tell

why I feel as though I was about the wickedest

person ever lived I am afraid if I should die I

should not go to Heaven and how can I bear

to go down to that dreadful place it dont seem

as though I could bear the thought

17. Monday a snowy day. I have washed moped

and so on Charles Wilburn is here this evening

18th. Tuesday. very pleasant indeed. Ephraim

Silas gone up to Temperance Lecture I have

read and sung all or pretty much all the evning

19th. Wednesday. cloudy

20. Thursday. pleasant. Ephraim went to Bakersfield

and Clarissa Wilburn came back with him

we have been up to singing school this evening

Page 71

21st. Friday rains hard about all day

I received a letter from Louisa E Demio this evening

22. Saturday. considerable pleasant Clarissa went

home this forenoon she made quite a visit but we

expect it will be the last for the present

23. Sunday. a beautiful day. I feel rather downhearted

on account of what Mother said to me I am

determined to find out if is so it worrys me

in fact I thought so much about what I could

not sleep as usual last night but it may make

me feel worse yet but hope that there is

nothing in it it is nothing only what I have

heard before but did not believe it but it

has been threw in my face enough and now

I calculate to find out who lies or if it was so

24. Monday. pleasant. I called in to see C Demio

she is about the same

25. Tuesday. very pleasant indeed Mrs Tracy been

here this afternoon and evening. Silas has

found out about that story Austin says he

never said so and I am so glad I hope I can

eat drink and sleep some now. M came down

to night we took a ride to the Center and so

back to singing school had a good time after

feeling so bad

Page 72

26. Wednesday. very pleasant. Oh dear I have

got to go and watch with Charlotte Denio

to night and I don’t know how to for I

did not sleep much last night did not

go to bed until 3 o clock

27. Thursday. pleasant. I watched last night

We have been over to Grandfathers to day

James and Theresa here this evening did not go to

bed untill ten o clock to night so you may guess

how sleep I am

28. Friday. The wind blows very hard it snowed

a little last night and the snow flies like fun

29th Saturday snows a little this evening

I have been to singing school had a very

good one Elder Buzzell came in he made

some remarks and closing prayer

30th Sunday. pleasant been up east to

Meeting to day. had a good meeting Elder Bussell

preached from Gal 5th 22. 23 and Luke 3rd 9th

In sabath school I learned what Jews & Gentiles

are [a] Jew is one that has been circumcized let them

belong to what nation they will a Gentile is

one that has not been circumcised a heathen

31st. Monday. pleasant washed to day

Page 73

February

1st. Tuesday. pleasant this morning but comences

snowing about noon snows quite hard this afternoon

Last night I walked up to Meeting Mr Tracy’s

folks asked me to ride home with so I did as we

was coming down the Blake hill the sleigh tiped

up and tiped us all forward I went under the

horses feet and every time the horse steped its feet

went against my face and head it jammed me

up pretty it cut a gash over my left eye and

a place on my cheek nearly as large as [a] half dollar

The end of my nose is all jammed up it hurt

my head some and some in other places but

not so bad so I do not consider it of much

consequence Ephraim and Mother have gone to

Montgomery to day. I cannot for my eye it

is swollen so bad I look like a fright and feel

about if not quite as bad I have been alone all

day and evening I sit up some and lay abed

some. I never know wha