DIARY OF MARY HARGER
1870
INTRODUCTION
Mary Harger was born in 1844, the 7th of 8
children born to Ruth Beardslee Harger and Alfred Harger. Her youngest brother died as a toddler, so by
the time she was writing her diary in 1870, she was the youngest surviving
child. Her mother died in 1852, and
sometime after that, Alfred Harger remarried.
His new wife was Sarah Scott, and they had one child, Lewis, but he too
died young. Mary seems to have a good
relationship with her stepmother, refers to Sarah as “Mother” and apparently
helps care for her during her frequent illnesses.
At the time of Mary’s diary, the family lived in the
house Alfred Harger built in 1830 at what is now 329 Quaker Farms Road. Mary’s brother John, his wife Sarah and Mary’s
beloved little “Bertie” (variously spelled “Burtie” and “Burty”) reside across
the road. [Note:“Bertie” is Edgar Burton Harger who will become the father of
Alfred Harger, well-known Oxford photographer and naturalist.] The only house
that fits this description is the George P. Sanford Homestead still located at 330
Quaker Farms Road, although the 1868 Beers Map of Oxford lists the house as
belonging to G. P. Sanford. Perhaps the name on the map came from the original
builder, not the current owner.
Mary appears closest to her next oldest brother Oscar
who is working as an assistant in paleontology to the famed Professor Othniel
Charles Marsh at Yale. Oscar brings home staff from Yale to visit. Professor Dana is either James Dwight Dana, a
Professor of Natural History and Geology or Edward Salisbury Dana, an Assistant
Professor of Philosophy and Astronomy and later a Professor of Physics. Oscar
also accompanies Mary on walks to the river, helps make sure she has
transportation for her vacation, and shows her around the Yale campus. She
writes him frequently.
Mary’s father Alfred Harger is a farmer and a
well-known surveyor. Many of his maps
and papers are still on file in the Oxford land records. He was also a member of the Connecticut
General Assembly. Mary’s brother John
also worked as a surveyor. It is clear
that this family is unusually intelligent and liberal in their views. Their celebration of the passing of the 15th
Amendment to the Constitution is almost giddy in Mary’s recounting.
Mary’s diary shows her to be well educated. It is unique in that she wrote in part for a
future audience of readers, with her sense of humor shining through. She is obviously very bright and makes acerbic
comments about the monotony of the household drudgery that fills her days. Her social life focuses on making calls and
having friends and family stop for visits.
Mary is also deeply involved in the workings of the Congregational
Church and documents the improvements made to that structure in 1870. The 1880 Census lists her as organist
there. She also served as a judge at the
Oxford Agricultural Society Fair in 1875.
Mary lived on until 1932, never marrying. Family
descendant Beatrice Sellner gave a spinning wheel to the Twitchell-Rowland
Homestead saying that it was within living memory that a maiden aunt had spun
flax on it. I wonder now if Mary was that spinner.
Having glimpsed her life and her spunky personality,
it is frustrating to have Mary’s biography begin and end with just the year
1870. It is to be hoped that if more of
her diaries exist that they will become available to us as a record of one
extraordinary woman’s life.
Specific information about the Harger family can be
found at http://www.oxfordpast.com
Many thanks to Essie Lydon for editing and correcting
my interpretation of Mary’s handwriting.
Nancy Farnum, Transcriber
Oxford Historical Society
February 12, 2019
Sources:
Wikipedia
“History of the Town of Oxford Connecticut”
(Litchfield and Hoyt)
“Historic Buildings of Oxford Past and Present”
“Early Houses of Oxford”
http://www.oxfordpast.com
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
THE DIARY
The new year finds us four at
home, Father, Mother, Oscar and myself.
Oscar is taking his vacation. John, Sarah and Bertie live across the
street. In the West are Henry, his wife
& two boys and Charles with like “incumbrances.”(sic) [Note: Henry and
Charles are also Mary’s older brothers.]
Sunday, January 2, 1870.
A severe storm of rain kept
us all from church.
Monday, January 3, 1870.
Weather uncommonly warm. Washed.
Worked with doors and windows open.
Tuesday, January 4, 1870.
Oscar went hunting (?) for
materials to furnish Louise Newman’s (?) fernery (?). Afterwards we went down to Aunt Lucinda’s.
Wednesday, January 5, 1870.
Oscar & I called this
evening on Joel & Mary Wheeler.
Thursday, January 6, 1870
Carried Oscar to Seymour to
take the cars. [note: railroad]
Friday, January 7, 1870
Hattie Hawkins called just at
night.
Saturday, January 8, 1870
Snow again – some hope of
sleighing –
Sunday, January 9, 1870
Mr. Churchill preached. New chairs (.) sermon this afternoon – stayed
– A project afoot to visit Mr. Churchill at his home on Thursday –
Monday, January 10, 1870
More snow and a little cold
but we have had hardly any cold weather.
Tuesday, January 11, 1870
A perfect day. Mother rode over to Mrs. Griffins – Ch
[Charles] & wife spent part of the day with us –
Wednesday, January 12, 1870
The snow vanished like the
early dew.
Thursday, January 13, 1870
John brought over his sewing
machine & we have been working busily.
Rain kept the people from going to Woodbury.
Friday, January 14, 1870
Cold & snow (?)
The good people some twenty
in number went to Woodbury –
Mother purchased a pair of pebbles
–
Emma Wheeler has the
diphtheria
Saturday, January 15, 1870
Finished our machine sewing –
Mr. White called. Doctor coming across
on foot from Bower’s hill stopped in & left again in a pouring rain
refusing a horse –
Sunday, January 16, 1870
Mr. Churchill preached an
able sermon this afternoon from the text “They that are whole need not a
physician but those that are sick. The day has been warm & perfect –
Monday, January 17, 1870
Washed in the rain. Made
ready to go to New Haven with Father in the morning – Visited a little with
Bertie as usual this evening. Mother
sewed on the machine and it has gone home –
Tuesday, January 18, 1870
Went to New Haven with
Father. Did but little shopping and was
vexed enough to find that I had left Sarah’s sampler, John’s Diary (?) and my
own S. S. question book on Oscar’s table – So much for thoughtfulness. A letter from Miss Haskins – Most (?) unfathomable
Doctor took Mr. Clark to
Middletown
Wednesday, January 19, 1870
Father walked over to the
Center this afternoon.
Mother & I across the
street – Sewed on the machine making aprons – A letter yesterday from Augusta
Haskins and one today from Carrie King –
Thursday, January 20, 1870
Sarah and Bertie visited at Dewey
(?) Smith’s. Maria Hinman called.
Friday, January 21, 1870
Called at Mrs. White’s and
[crossed out letters: “spe”]] took tea with Mrs. Ward.
Saturday, January 22, 1870
Oscar surprised us just
before dark by an unexpected appearance.
He came up with a friend De Forest who is to preach in Woodbury – John’s
girl Kate left to take care of her mother and Bertie has spent most of the day
with us.
Sunday, January 23, 1870
Mr. Churchill
An unpleasant morning -- but few at church and Sabbath school – Mr.
Deforest came for Oscar and staid the traveling is so bad.
Monday, January 24, 1870
Oscar & Mr. D. left for
New Haven – We were up so early to see them off that the day seemed
interminable. John washed –
Tuesday, January 25, 1870
A long rainy day, Mr. Nichols
spent most of the afternoon with us.
Baked, & ironed for John –
Wednesday, January 26, 1870
A lovely day – My cold is bad
– Sarah & Bertie spent the afternoon with us. Helped Sarah cut out the
little fellow’s new dress – John had a letter from Kate. She wants to come back.
Thursday, January 27, 1870
Another lovely day. Dewey Smith came in the morning for some milk
-- John brought home his new carpet --
He says Mr. & Mrs. Walker started to come over but had to go back home on
business.
Friday, January 28, 1870
A good long letter from Miss
Adams. A terrible cold. A visit from Mr & Mrs Walker –
Mother & I worked on
Sarah’s carpet. Father went to
Birmingham.
Lovely weather – The roads
are settled –
Saturday, January 29, 1870
Rain & snow – Father
walked through it all over to the Center and back to see David Clark –
Sarah’s carpet finished. Wrote to Ellen Scott –
Sunday, January 30, 1870
Mr. Churchill preached one of
his most earnest and practical sermons this afternoon from the parable of the
lost piece of silver. “Can these dry
bones live?” Mr. Baird & Mr. Arnold
at church. Father made Mr. B.’s acquaintance.
A lovely day –
Monday, January 31, 1870
Snows so Washed. John cleaned house and put down the new
carpet –
Mr. Northrop came in to have
Father take the acknowledgement of a deed & spent some time talking.
Watson’s wall map –
Helped Sarah a little –
Frank Alling’s house burned
last night –
Meet at the Schoolhouse in
the evening to reconstruct the mail arrangements.
Wednesday, February 2, 1870
Julia & Irving over to
Sarah’s. A great scare about trouble in the Center & Mr Ward sent for but
it came to nothing except that Mr W was sent to Westville to see about the fire
– Ripped up my black alapaca (sic)
Ironed &c –
Thursday, February 3, 1870
Mrs. White & Mrs. Northrop
called – Mrs. White is not usually well & told Father that she should never
come again unless she was better – John went to Seymour for his girl but
came back without her –
Bertie was here all the
afternoon
Friday, February 4, 1870
A pair of runaway oxen
exhibited their speed this morning for Mr. Tomlinson. Took up one corner of Sarah’s carpet &
had tribulation by trying to put it back again.
Father & John at Moose
hill –
Saturday, February 5, 1870
Bertie’s third birthday.
Helped to make him an apron –
Sunday, February 6, 1870
It is good both to hope in
the Lord and quietly to wait for his Salvation – Father & I went to church
– It has been a chill wintry day –
Mother is nearly sick tonight
Monday, February 7, 1870
Bertie’s third birthday –
Helped make him an apron –
The above was a mistake. To day has been lively. Bertie spent the afternoon with us.
Tuesday, February 8, 1870
Winter has “set in” with the
severest storm of the season. I have
written four letters – To Oscar, Lizzie, Augusta Haskins and to Emma.
Nobody stirred through the
storm but the whistles sound as if the engine was trying to clear the track of
snow. Ironed.
Wednesday, February 9, 1870
Sleigh bells jingle once more
–
William Clark finally taken
to Hartford.
Thursday, February 10, 1870
Poor little Burtie feeling
quite dumpish – John “teaming it” to Seymour –
Father up to Christian street
and consulting with Eliza Clark –
Mrs Griffin spent a few hours
with us.
Friday, February 11, 1870
Father went to New Haven – Burty
sick – Albert Chatfield’s hired man taken violent sick with lung fever –
Saturday, February 12, 1870
Bertie a trifle better – We
reconstructed the stair carpet – The sleighing is no more.
Sunday, February 13, 1870
Went to church. Mr. Churchill
appointed a church prayer meeting on Friday and hopes to attend it himself –
Lewis Tucker addressed the Sunday school – Doctor & Mrs. Barnes called this
evening –
Monday, February 14, 1870
The monotonous record of the
week begins with the usual “washed” – varied tonight with a toothache –
Tuesday, February 15, 1870
A letter from Maria King –
Rain to disturb the lecture promised by Ike Bromely –
Wednesday, February 16, 1870
John went to Seymour after a
“girl” – Don’t know whether he found one or not – Sarah and Bertie spent the
afternoon with us. Doctor called with
Johnny and Lizzie. He has heard from
William Clark who is doing well –
Thursday, February 17, 1870
Bertie trotting out of doors
for the first time this winter. He had
serious objections to going in – Dewey Smith came in this evening & I went
home with her. Mrs. Edwin Smith was
there –
Friday, February 18, 1870
Oscar sent up my watch by
“The Post”.
It has rained furiously all
day-- & just begins to lighten (sic) & thunder—
Saturday, February 19, 1870
Bertie trotted over to spend
the afternoon with us –
Sunday, February 20, 1870
My Sunday school class all
present – Gave Orrin the new question book and he is going to supply the class
–
Mr. Churchill.
Monday, February 21, 1870
A present this morning of
eight dollars from Father – Mother met the same good fortune. John also gave me a paper of Old Brown
[possibly Windsor] Soap – Glorymonger for one day – Washed – The mercury has
started for the zero point. Jack Frost is whistling.
Tuesday, February 22, 1870
Mr. Russell came up to get
some surveying done. J. proposes to lay
aside all such gains till he has enough of them to purchase a good
instrument. He is putting a chicken
skeleton into shape for Oscar. The
thermometer stood at 3 degrees this morning & Father & I have not been
to the sociable at Mr. Treat’s. Ironed
& baked across the street – “Going out to work.”
Wednesday, February 23, 1870
John surveying. Father
moderating. Teeth grumbling –
Thursday, February 24, 1870
Crocheted Sarah’s mat. Father walked to the Center for the mail.
John Fairchild buried.
A wayfaring man up in Oscar’s
room I must fasten my door.
Friday, February 25, 1870
Tooth grumbling all day –
resorted to my first dose of morphine & slept on the lounge all the afternoon. Burty did want to see Aunty Meamie.
Saturday, February 26, 1870
Burt in the highest glee
tonight – Mother rather miserable – Mrs. Wheeler is worse again –
Sunday, February 27, 1870
A wintry day –
Mr. Churchill preached
“For Satan himself is transformed
into an angel of light.
Nellie Dean is very sick with
scarlet fever –
Monday, February 28, 1870
Nellie Dean died last night.
Father went to Birmingham –
A letter from Bethina Dykes – The missionary ship Morning Star has
been wicked.
John attended Nellie Dean’s
funeral –
Mother and I cut out &
began Oscar’s shirts –
Father over to the Probate Court
– appointed conservator for William Clark.
Wednesday, March 2, 1870
Father over to the Center –
John about home, most sick – Five lambs first installment.
Ironed and worked on Oscar’s
shirts.
Thursday, March 3, 1870
Ran the sewing machine all
day.
Friday, March 4, 1870
Mr. Churchill was expected to
deliver a preparatory lecture but being sick with a hard cold he did not come –
we had a good prayer meeting instead and a
goodly attendance (.) Dea. Curtis bought a new stove for the
vestry. J & L came home by the way
of the mineral spring –
Saturday, March 5, 1870
Finished the shirts wrote to Henry & Elizabeth – Father over
to the Center –
Sunday, March 6, 1870
Mr Churchill probably sick,
did not come & we had prayer& Sabbath school & deacon meeting.
Monday, March 7, 1870
Quite a snow storm. John went
to Ansonia after a woman & his hopes of getting one –
Tuesday, March 8, 1870
A lovely day – Mother & I
John & his family went out riding – Mary Treat spent the afternoon here and
Mrs. Dean. Ellen Brown called also Mary
Smith Wheeler –
Mr. Baird of Newtown died
instantly last Friday –
Wednesday, March 9, 1870
Mary Smith W & I attended
a sociable at Jane Perkins – Had a pleasant time.
Thursday, March 10, 1870
Had fiery trials with Oscar’s
five new fine shirts – Mr. & Mrs. Walker came over just at night and stayed
a few hours –
Friday, March 11, 1870
John went to Seymour
surveying for Edwin Smith. I went with him as far as Albert Tomlinson’s to have
a root extracted & came home with the root still in there –
We covered Sarah’s lounge –
Berty’s ambition in the dress line is a “petticoat like yours and long
dresses”!!
Saturday, March 12, 1870
Interviewed the neighbors
quite extensively –
Sunday, March 13, 1870
A furious storm of wind and
snow has kept everybody in doors –
Monday, March 14, 1870
A lovely day – The Hargers
all took an airing. Father went to
Ansonia, John & his family to the
Center, Mother to the Farms & I to the River – Washed –
Tuesday, March 15, 1870
Berty spent the afternoon
with us – Wrote to Charles and Katy –
Wednesday, March 16, 1870
Winter & summer in the
same day –
Thursday, March 17, 1870
John & I went sleighing
to New Haven. Went down the turnpike for the first time in my life & Kit
[note: their horse?] celebrated by going over with her feet (?) in the air –
Get in to New Haven & found “St. Patrick’s day in the morning” – Bought
some plated forks – a boulevard skirt & c—
Sleighing somewhat slim but
Kit wasn’t caring & we had a “nice time”
Friday, March 18, 1870
Baked & helped Sarah
&c.
Saturday, March 19, 1870
Mother, Burty & I went
sleighing. Mother stopped a moment at Mr. Whites & also at Mr Wheelers –
Eliza Clark & Ruth Warner spent the afternoon with us. Mary S. W. called also Mrs. Barnes, Grace
& Randolph – A letter from E.E. S. also one from Miss Haskins –
Sunday, March 20, 1870
A lovely day.
Mr. Churchill in the pulpit
once more –
My class recited their first
lesson in the new question books –
Monday, March 21, 1870
Blue birds!
John is expecting to go to
New York tomorrow to buy a transit
Tuesday, March 22, 1870
Song sparrows – I carried
John to Seymour to take the cars for New York –
Wednesday, March 23, 1870
John came home with his
transit. Mrs. Walker spent the day with
us –
Thursday, March 24, 1870
A blustering day – Susan
Smith went home – John rich as a king with his new instrument –
Friday, March 25, 1870
Burty spent the afternoon
with us –
Saturday, March 26, 1870
A row of men working at the
woodpile – Sarah & Burty over here –
The circular –
Sunday, March 27, 1870
Went to church in the snow
and came home in the rain – attempted to sit down stairs but Mr. Churchill sent
me up –
Monday, March 28, 1870
Washed in the rain & put
out the clothes to do the best they may – Cleaned the lamb skins –
Tuesday, March 29, 1870
Stretched my lamb skins
&c
Wednesday, March 30, 1870
A letter from Oscar – He
comes home on Friday – A call from Sarah Hinman also from Nancy Tomlinson
Rubbed my lambskins this
evening –
Thursday, March 31, 1870
The fifteenth Amendment
proclaimed & general rejoicing & firing (?) thereupon –
Spent the afternoon at Sarah
Hinman’s with Emma McEwen
Oscar came home to vote.
April 2, 1870
Baking &c –
We made John’s pants –
April 3, 1870
Another unpleasant Sunday
Monday, April 4, 1870
Election day
Oscar went back in the storm
Tuesday, April 5, 1870
Washed – swept out across the
street &c
Wrote in the circular – Snow
–
Wednesday, April 6, 1870
Snow rain &c
Thursday, April 7, 1870
Went to Seymour for Miss Bunnell
& Fannie & found them over at the center – The sun shining once more –
Mother spent the afternoon with Lucy and Mary –
Friday, April 8, 1870
A lovely day
Fanny went back – Julia &
her family over
Saturday, April 9, 1870
Nancy, Hattie & Mrs Ward
–Sarah, Miss Bunnell & Burtie took tea with us Mother had the nervous headache – A warm &
lovely day.
Sunday, April 10, 1870
The South Britain minister –
Monday, April 11, 1870
Stormy as all our Mondays are
– Put out my clothes & was glad to
get them all back in the tub
Tuesday, April 12, 1870
Began house cleaning by
putting things to rights “up garret” –
Wednesday, April 13, 1870
Oscar came home.
Thursday, April 14, 1870
A warm & lovely day –
Friday, April 15, 1870
Fast day
Saturday, April 16, 1870
Oscar & I went down to
the river & to Aunt Lucinda’s [Note: “the river” is probably 8 Mile Brook.]
Sunday, April 17, 1870
Mr. Churchill preached an
Easter sermon in the morning and touched on temperance in the afternoon –
Monday, April 18, 1870
A furious rain – John has
another hand maiden Hannah Tracy –
Cut my dress
Tuesday, April 19, 1870
Washed &c –
Wednesday, April 20, 1870
A letter from Jennie Dunbar
Thursday, April 21, 1870
Wrote to Miss Haskins – Mrs
Nichols called
Friday, April 22, 1870
Oscar painted Mother’s room –
Saturday, April 23, 1870
Mrs. Griffin and Jessie Perry
called –
Sunday, April 24, 1870
Attended church – Mr
Churchill – A rainy day –
Monday, April 24, 1870
Washed & then went to bed
sick –
Tuesday, April 26, 1870
Stayed there –
Wednesday, April 27, 1870
Felt better & crawled (?)
out once more
Thursday, April 28, 1870
Orre (A nickname for Oscar?)
went back – A thunderstorm –
Friday, April 29, 1870
Did not attend the
preparatory lecture – Mary Edmonds came down & ironed –
Saturday, April 30, 1870
About the premises once more
–
Attended church Communion
service at noon –
Monday, May 2, 1870
____(?) is wash –
Headache –
Tuesday, May 3, 1870
Went to Ansonia after
millinery –
A warm day –
Wednesday, May 4, 1870
Cleaned my room –
Thursday, May 5, 1870
Cleaned house a little &
subsided –
Friday, May 6, 1870
Finished cleaning the
chambers – John’s folks went over to the Center – Trimmed my new hat.
Saturday, May 7, 1870
Sewed all day.
Sunday, May 8, 1870
Attended church – Mr.
Churchill preached in the morning on Hope & in the afternoon on Joy –
Monday, May 9, 1870
Cleaned the pantry and sink
room –
Tuesday, May 10, 1870
“Monstrous wash – same as two
families” –
Wednesday, May 11, 1870
A rainy day prevented the
meeting of the Sociable –
Thursday, May 12, 1870
Attended a sociable at Orrin Buckingham’s
–
Friday, May 13, 1870
I never knew a pleasanter
May-- Emma McEwen brought Ellen Stone & Sarah Hinman came with Della and Mr
Albert Chatfield’s wife & we had a tea party –
Saturday, May 14, 1870
We called at Mr. White’s and
Mrs. Barnes was here to tea –
I carried Ellen over to
Orrin’s and came back by Mr. McEwen’s to take some hops & shrubs – Mrs.
McE. gave me a great piece of cheese.
Sunday, May 15, 1870
A June day – Mr. Churchill
preached. A new scholar in Sabbath School Elida Crissy –
Monday, May 16, 1870
Washed. Such lovely
weather! The apple blossoms is unparalelled (sic) –
Tuesday, May 17, 1870
John went to New Haven &
it tried to gather a storm but Sarah & Mother & Burty & I went up
to Bernice Meigs & to Mrs Flagg’s calling – Mr. Flagg has for some time
been “out” – Yesterday he started for Michigan.
Wednesday, May 18, 1870
Haven’t amounted to much to
day began wrong by fainting almost away just after breakfast.
Thursday, May 19, 1870
Sociable at George Sperry’s –
I Didn’t do any thing. Mer [Mother?] working out Wm. Clark’s road tax –
Friday, May 20, 1870
Father went to Birmingham –
Saturday, May 21, 1870
Cut out Father four shirts –
Sunday, May 22, 1870
Mr Churchill –
A pleasant day
& unusually large
congregation –
Monday, May 23, 1870
Washed & sewed on the
machine –
Tuesday, May 24, 1870
Ironed & finished the
machine work on Father’s shirts –
Wednesday, May 25, 1870
Cleaned the sitting room
Hannah came over & washed
the floor for me –
Thursday, May 26, 1870
Cleaned the kitchen –
Friday, May 27, 1870
Finished Cleaning House!
Saturday, May 28, 1870
Dipped candles –
Sunday, May 29, 1870
Mr. Churchill preached in the
afternoon on Spiritual discernment.
Monday, May 30, 1870
Washed &c
Tuesday, May 31, 1870
Mr Yates came to work on the
old house.
Went to Seymour & had
four teeth filled.
Grandpa mending the old house
Thursday, June 2, 1870
Spent the afternoon at Emma
McEwen’s with Sarah Hinman.
Friday, June 3, 1870
Packed up my things for a
visit to New & West Haven
Saturday, June 4, 1870
Mrs. Perkins is having a
cancer taken out & so we did not go to Woodbridge – We all called on Mrs.
Ward & at Mr. White’s & at Hattie Hawkins but she was not at home.
Sunday, June 5, 1870
A sultry day – Mr. Churchill
preached –
Monday, June 6, 1870
Went to New Haven to ____(?)
____(?)
Called at Mrs. Tuttle’s in
the evening –
Tuesday, June 7, 1870
Weather kept us in doors but
Okke {a nickname for Oscar?] came up – Mr & Mrs. Warren (?) Taylor
appeared. He is representative from
Bethlehem.
Wednesday, June 8, 1870
O & I went down to
Augusta Hendrick’s & in the evening we all attended an organ concert in the
Howe St church given by Master Willis Shelton aged 15 –
Thursday, June 9, 1870
We attended the Installation
of Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford at the universalist church –
Friday, June 10, 1870
Went in to the art gallery
& stayed & stayed – A chapter of adventure in getting over to West
Haven.
Saturday, June 11, 1870
Muggy weather
Visited with Mrs Austin –
Oscar came over in the
evening –
Sunday, June 12, 1870
Went with Mr. Austin to the
congregational church –
Monday, June 13, 1870
Oscar came over & we all
went to look at the Derby rail-road. The rain came suddenly & we had a view
of the interior of paddy shantys (sic)
Tuesday, June 14, 1870
Went over to Burton Holbrook’s. Oscar spent the afternoon then Mr. B. carried
him back to N. H. –
Wednesday, June 15, 1870
Burton Dewey & I went to
N. H. & Oscar took us around the college buildings
Thursday, June 16, 1870
Rode down to the beach twice
& over to New Haven – Saw Cousin Louisa in at Wilcox & Halls.
Friday, June 17, 1870
Went down to Mrs Austin’s but
Oscar came over to Burton’s & I went back there & over to New Haven
after supper –
Saturday, June 18, 1870
Burton Holbrook brought me
home – Hot day –
Sunday, June 19, 1870
Attended church
Mr. Churchill preached the
last part of his sermon viz sacrifice the first of which I missed last Sunday –
Monday, June 20, 1870
Washed – an exceedingly warm
day –
Tuesday, June 21, 1870
Sudden change of weather –
Ironed –
Cut out my Ninon Paletot –
[note: a type of topcoat]
Wednesday, June 22, 1870
Sewed over to Sarah’s.
Thursday, June 23, 1870
Helped Mother sew some.
Friday, June 24, 1870
Carried Mother to the Center
& left her at Doctor’s while I went to Seymour
Warm weather
Saturday, June 25, 1870
90 degrees – in the shade –
Men at Mr. Robert Treat’s
distributing – Mother rather the worse for wear—
Sunday, June 26, 1870
Extremely warm weather “If
thou faint in the day of adversity thy strength is small (.”)
Mr. Churchill.
A bit of athsma (sic)
Monday, June 27, 1870
Wash ____ (?) worse
Tuesday, June 28, 1870
Warmest day of the season 91
3/5 degrees
Wednesday, June 29, 1870
Letter from Oscar – Aunt Mary
coming -- sometime
Thursday, June 30, 1870
“Busy here & there.”
Raining a shower at least –
Wrote to Oscar –
Saturday, July 2, 1870
Oscar, Aunt Mary & Minnie
appear on the scene –
Wrote to Carrie King –
Sunday, July 3, 1870
A rainy morning – Attended
church.
Monday, July 4, 1870
Father took Oscar to Seymour
in the morning. I did not attend the
picnic – Sarah took tea with us & brought her picnic boqqet (sic) a cake.
Tuesday, July 5, 1870
After going to the river
Sarah Burty & I tried to take a ride but the wheel stuck by Mr. Tomlinson’s
& L & B. stopped there. I came
home alone – John went after them after work. Washed & picked red currants
for jelly –
Wednesday, July 6, 1870
Ironed, sewed, fussed &c
–
Thursday, July 7, 1870
Mother about sick – John went
after the mail.
Friday, July 8, 1870
Rain & shine
Saturday, July 9, 1870
Aunt Mary & I rode to
Seymour in the most delightful weather –
Mrs Northrop & Mary
called – Victory Lounsbury was married yesterday morning –
Sunday, July 10, 1870
Rev. Mr. Smith of Southbury –
Wm. Clark returned last night
from the Insane Asylum & was at church today –
“Hitherto hath the Lord
helped us.”
Monday, July 11, 1870
Green corn for dinner. Washed – Mother watched a setting hen &
found a nervous headache –
Tuesday, July 12, 1870
Mr & Mrs Wm. Clark &
Judge Dikemen(?) called this evening __
Wednesday, July 13, 1870
Very warm weather but the
rains have refreshed every living thing –
Thursday, July 14, 1870
Sewed &c
Friday, July 15, 1870
Mrs. Flagg & Jo. Called.
Mr. & Mrs. John Wooster have a daughter today.
Aunt Mary & I went after
the mail – A letter from Charles from the Sheffield Scientific School –
Saturday, July 16, 1870
Showery – Sewed, baked &c
Sunday, July 17, 1870
The very warmest day --
____(?) at church – Mr. Churchill preached in the morning & touched on
prison discipline & somewhat startled me by his “radical” ideas –
Monday, July 18, 1870
Oppressive weather -- ____
(?) & Laura over –
Tuesday, July 19, 1870
I am rather bad nearly all
day –
Lewis Perkins’ barn struck
and burned by lightning
Wednesday, July 20, 1870
Ditto
Thursday, July 21, 1870
I cooked a little for Oscar –
Friday, July 22, 1870
Went to Seymour under protest
after Oscar & found him after a long search –
Saturday, July 23, 1870
Aunt Mary & Minnie went
over to Mrs. Walker’s. Weather too warm
– 92 1/2 .
Sunday, July 24, 1870
Did not attend church but
sweltered at home.
Monday, July 25, 1870
John & Oscar gone to
Birmingham – hotter –
Tuesday, July 26, 1870
Every day is hotter than any
of its predecessors –
Wednesday, July 27, 1870
Some hopes of rain –
Thursday, July 28, 1870
Oscar & I went after the
mail. Mr. Walker brought over Mrs. W.
& Aunt Mary.
Friday, July 29, 1870
John & Oscar over to the river.
Saturday, July 30, 1870
Oscar & I went to Aunt
Lucinda. Sarah & I spent the
afternoon with Lucy and Mary –
Saturday, July 31, 1870
Attended church – Mr.
Chamberlain was there in the afternoon – The church is all torn up.
John took Oscar to New Haven
but he will not go from there for two or three days. Everything is drying up entirely.
Tuesday, August 2, 1870
Washed &c.
Wednesday, August 3, 1870
Partly finished my ironing –
went berrying –
Thursday, August 4, 1870
Rain! We are thankful for
small favors –
Friday, August 5, 1870
Carried Fannie to Seymour
& bought a new paconet dress – Mother & I spent the afternoon at Mrs.
Tomlinson’s.
Saturday, August 6, 1870
Katy died –
Made my new dress – all but
the finishing –
Letter from Ellen & Scott
–
Sunday, August 7, 1870
Mr Churchill preached on unbelief
– No more services for two Sabbaths – Extremely warm weather –
Monday, August 8, 1870
Went blackberrying &
sewed on my dress –
Tuesday, August 9, 1870
Washed – warm weather – Wrote
Henry and Elizabeth –
Wednesday, August 10, 1870
A little rain & some hope
of more.
Thursday, August 11, 1870
Some more rain. A letter from Oscar which I have answered –
Mother sick all day –
Mrs. Chatfield called this
evening –
Friday, August 12, 1870
John took his family to
Seymour for a few day’s visit. Doctor
brought his wife over & gave Mother some blue pills: hydrate of chloral.
[Note: Hydrate of chloral is
a sedative.]
Saturday, August 13, 1870
Mother more comfortable –
More rain tonight –
Sunday, August 14, 1870
The sun shining after rain –
Mother was sick in the night but “feels better now’ –
A letter from Carrie
Frost.
Lizzie King has a baby boy!
Monday, August 15, 1870
Mother better – a perfect
day.
Tuesday, August 16. 1870
Aunt Lucinda and Cousin Jane
Beers spent the afternoon with us – Jane gave me an urgent invitation to visit
her in Newark.
Wednesday, August 17, 1870
John in Seymour with his
family
Thursday, August 18, 1870
The good folks at home again.
Friday, August 19, 1870
Mr. Churchill appeared to us
& took dinner with us. Wooster McEwen & Joel Wheeler working at the old
house! A warm day. Mercury at 81.
Saturday, August 20, 1870
Father in Ansonia after
sashes for the old house
Little Phebe Holbrook died –
Sunday, August 21, 1870
A quiet day at home. Burty was well enough to pay us a visit but
looks pale yet.
Monday, August 22, 1870
Washed &c –
Went to the funeral of Ellen
Holbrook’s little girl.
Tuesday, August 23, 1870
Mrs. Deacon Buckingham and
Mrs. Chatfield came over, also Mr & Mrs. Walker from Albert Dutton’s
funereal (sic).
Wednesday, August 24, 1870
Went over to the Center for
Miss Burnell and her little nephew and followed them down to the “Pool”.
Thursday, August 25, 1870
Tacked comfortables &
(possibly sighed?) for rain –
Which came in the night –
Friday, August 20, 1870
Finished our comfortables and
spent the afternoon with Mrs. Griffin after Kate Burnell had cleaned out
our wagon.
A delightful change in the
weather & a character in the shape of Mrs. Griffin’s brother’s wife –
Saturday, August 27, 1870
John went to have a tooth
filled – Finished Miss Alcotts’ “Moods” and don’t (?) like it – Wrote to Miss
Haskins.
Sunday, August 28, 1870
Attended church at Quaker’s
Farms – Preaching by Mr. Eddy –
Monday, August 29, 1870
Washed &c. Miss Burwell
& Henry Lum (?) went to the Center –
Father spent most of the day
over there –
Tuesday, August 30, 1870
Joel and John went up to
Roxbury to Mine Hill and had a fine time generally – Snakes and stones came
back with them –
Wednesday, August 31, 1870
John surveying in Ansonia –
He took Miss Burwell & Henry to Great Hill I called at Mrs. Wheeler’s &
found Mrs. W. sitting up – the first time I’ve seen her up for months.
A long letter from Oscar –
Wrote to Cousin Louise. Caught one butterfly and missed the beauty
Friday, September 2, 1870
Emma McEwen & Mrs.
Montague called – Mrs. Sanford came & I went with her to Mrs Chatfield’s
& saw the “littlest” baby.
Kitty supposed to have gone
off last night bumming (or humming ?).
Saturday, September 3, 1870
Mrs. Walker came after me and
we went over to try the New Organ –
Sunday, September 4, 1870
Church once more – Charles
and Kate Walker up from Woodbridge
Monday, September 5, 1870
Went over to the church to
practice –
Charles Walker & his
mother [,] wife & niece took tea with us –
Tuesday, September 6, 1870
Washed – Lizzie &
Cornelia Sherman & Fanny walked over to Sarah’s from Julia’s
We canned pears yesterday
& today –
Wednesday, September 7, 1870
A letter from Maria King –
She is coming on Saturday. We all went over to see the prospect from Mrs.
White’s hill & broke down in the old carriage – finished our excursion in
the lumber box – Tended the littlest baby tonight –
Thursday, September 8, 1870
Societies’ meeting voted to
finish the church.
We put up grapes.
Friday, September 9, 1870
Tooth grumbled all day.
Saturday, September 10, 1870
Went to Seymour for Maria
King and brought her home with me –
Sunday, September 11, 1870
Mr. Churchill preached in the
morning & Burritt Smith in the afternoon.
Monday, September 12, 1870
Changed the carpet in the
sitting room and put up the stove – Maria (,) Burtie & I ran over the rocks
Tuesday, September 13, 1870
Maria & I went over to
the river to ride –
Wednesday, September 14, 1870
Father went to Ansonia &
found Oscar in Seymour
Thursday, September 15, 1870
We went riding up to
Southford & down through the Center for the mail –
Friday, September 16, 1870
Stayed at home and sewed,
packed and visited –
Saturday, September 17, 1870
Wonderful to relate! A rainy
day !!!
Sunday, September 18, 1870
Mr. Churchill preaching –
Charley playing.
Monday, September 19, 1870
John started for New York
before any body else was up though we rose early – I took Oscar and Maria to
Seymour about noon (.) Aunt Lucinda drove up with Mr Beers – Cousin Jane’s
husband –
Tuesday, September 20, 1870
A monstrous wash – Same as
two families.
Wednesday, September 21, 1870
Ironed etc –
Lucy and Mary came in and
stayed most of the afternoon –
Thursday, September 22, 1870
The folks began picking
apples.
Went to the Sociable at Mrs.
Ebenezer Buckingham’s –
A new organ at church –
Friday, September 23, 1870
Washed curtains &c
Saturday, September 24, 1870
Ironed & stewed
about. Weather unseasonably warm and the
pump failing –
Sunday, September 25, 1870
Mr. Churchill in the pulpit
and Charlie at the new organ – A letter from Oscar and one from Cousin Louise –
Mrs. Isaac Hotchkiss is dead.
Monday, September 26, 1870
Washed and cut out my new
calico.
Tuesday, September 27, 1870
Ironed the parlor curtains.
Talk of a Pipe organ for the church –
Wednesday, September 28, 1870
Cleaned parlor and went over
to play on the organ &c –
Called on Eliza Clark –
Thursday, September 29, 1870
Oscar came with Prof. Dana –
Randolph fell and hurt him seriously – Confusion – the doctor &c –
Friday, September 30, 1870
Rain once more – Oscar &
the Prof left for New Haven. Mrs. Barnes came over to take care of her boy who
has been suffering a great deal with his head –
Doctor and Mrs. Barnes took
Randolph home – Went over myself in the afternoon to find that he bore the
journey well – Practised on the organ –
Sunday, October 2, 1870
Mr. Churchill on Self
deception and on the promise “Look ye first the kingdom of God and his
righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you” – Randolph is doing
well – Mrs. Wilcoxin (sic)thought to be dying –
Monday, October 3, 1870
A rainy day.
town meeting
Sewed on dresses.
Mrs. Wilcoxin (sic) died at 8
oclock P. M. [Note: Anna Wilcoxson is cited in http://www.oxfordpast.com as dying on October 3, 1870.]
Tuesday, October 4, 1870
Attended the Town Fair –
Wednesday, October 5, 1870
A visit from Mr. Topliff and
a letter from Maria king
Thursday, October 6, 1870
Attended Mrs. Wilcoxin’s (sic)
funeral.
Friday, October 7, 1870
Cleaned pantry and went to
Seymour.
Saturday, October 8, 1870
Wrote to cousin Jane Beers –
Mother & Sarah went to
Lucy & Mary’s on their own account –
Sunday, October 9, 1870
Burty’s first half day at
church [.] His mama out also.
Monday, October 10, 1870
Oh give thanks unto the Lord
for He is good for his mercy endureht forever –
Tuesday, October 11, 1870
All ready to go to Newark
tomorrow but it looks like rain. Mrs
Burnetts house & barn burned last night & Charles Candee disturbed the
Center this morning by trying to commit suicide.
Wednesday, October 12, 1870
A fine rainy morning. Kept us
all at home.
Thursday, October 13, 1870
Went to New Haven and from
there on with Oscar to Newark – taking my first look at New York.
Friday, October 14, 1870
Oscar went back and I went
about Newark a little.
Saturday, October 15, 1870
Georgie came home and after
tea we went over through the market –
Sunday, October 16, 1870
Attended Presbyterian church
– Dr. Wilson’s in the morning – “The kingdom of heaven is within you” – Dr.
Teravin (?) in the afternoon “Who loved us & gave himself for us &c: In
the evening we attended ritualistic services at the House of prayer “In as much
as ye did it not to one of the least of these ye did it not to me”.
Monday, October 17, 1870
Georgie & I visited the
cemetery and the hothouses &c –
Tuesday, October 18, 1870
Central Park and a day of
Adventures –
Wednesday, October 19, 1870
Went over to see Auntie
Stebbins and bid a very hasty goodbye to Newark –
Thursday, October 20, 1870
Came up to Oxford in the rain
– Stopped at Eliza Clark’s.
Friday, October 21, 1870
Home again.
Saturday, October 22, 1870
Getting settled
Sunday, October 23, 1870
A cold church – A chilly
minister (.) Mr. Churchill has been sick for the first time in his life –
Monday, October 24, 1870
Washing – John went to
Washington not D. C.
Mr. & Mrs. Ward called in
the evening (.) They leave the place on Saturday for Ansonia.
Mrs. Albert Chatfield brought
her baby up for a call –
Tuesday, October 25, 1870
Ironing Same as two
families. Baked, stewed, &c - &c
–
Wednesday, October 26, 1870
Went to Seymour to meet Oscar
and Prof Dana and found another man Mr. Gardner there & we had a wagon
full. They all left for Woodbury after
dinner and I went up to Mr. McEwen’s to Sociable and played my first game of
croquet.
Thursday, October 27, 1870
A quiet day at home.
Wrote to Henry and to his
little boys –
Friday, October 28, 1870
Cleaned house – Mr. Randall
came up and bought a load of apples – His wife and baby came up with him and
called –
Saturday, October 29, 1870
Oscar came from Litchfield
leaving Prof. Dana and Mr. G. at Middlebury to walk to Waterbury.
Sunday, October 30, 1870
The blinds on the stoves up
& fierce fires burning at church – Mr. Churchill not usually well –
The cushions in & the
carpets to be made on Wednesday.
Monday, October 31, 1870
John and Oscar leveling to
the river find that we are 847 feet
above its level at the Other rock.
John carried Oscar to New
Haven.
Wednesday, November 2, 1870
Walked over to the Center to
help put down the carpet. A good many
there & plenty of work for all –
Thursday, November 3, 1870
I spent the night at Red City
and “we” finished the church today –
Friday, November 4, 1870
“Sun shining after rain.”
Saturday, November 5, 1870
A quiet day at home till just
at night I walked up to Mr. Hinman’s for my shoe.
Sunday, November 6, 1870
The first Sunday in the “new”
church
Communion service at noon –
Monday, November 7, 1870
Washing &c as usual.
John & I went to Ansonia
to hear Henry Ward Beecher lecture on the Household!
Tuesday, November 8, 1870
Carried mother down to call
on Mrs. Nichols.
Wednesday, November 9, 1870
Went to Seymour to have my
tooth taken care of. Was too late to go
to the sociable & housewarming at Rev. William Bronson’s –
Thursday, November 10, 1870
Burty came over to divert our
monotony
Friday, November 11, 1870
Burty building cob houses –
Saturday, November 12, 1870
John’s cow choked tonight and
gave us a fright.
Sunday, November 13, 1870
Mr. Smith of Southbury. The organ ____ and we drummed on the old
melodeon again.
Monday, November 14, 1870
Some signs of rain &
Burty guesses that Noah is going to have one of his floods.”
Tuesday, November 15, 1870
Father surveying in Ansonia.
A son born to Burton &
Mary Tucker.
Wednesday, November 16, 1870
Had my teeth filled in
Seymour by Dr. Boutwell –
Orion
Thursday, November 17, 1870
Nelson, Ellen and Nellie
unexpectedly appeared on the scene.
Friday, November 18, 1870
Uncle Nelson went back –
Saturday, November 19, 1870
Father surveying in Ansonia –
Sunday, November 20, 1870
Mr. Churchill preaching. A
lovely day –
Monday, November 21, 1870
Father surveying in Ansonia.
Tuesday, November 22, 1870
washed, dressed &
baked & dressed poultry for Thanksgiving & spend the afternoon at
John’s.
Wednesday, November 23, 1870
Carried Ellen and Nellie over
to Mr. Walker’s. Oscar came home. Carrie Smith came over with her arithmetic –
Thursday, November 24, 1870
Thanksgiving day – Oscar
& I went to Wm. Clark’s & to Red City in the evening –
Friday, November 25, 1870
Ironed &c –
The “boys” leveling –
Saturday, November 26, 1870
Carrie Smith came over with
her arithmetic. The boys fussing about
&c –
Sunday, November 27, 1870
One of the State Missionarys
(sic) Mr. Moore of Berlin preached for us to attempt to give us some
statistics.
Monday, November 28, 1870
Father took Oscar to the cars
and went to Ansonia – A lovely day –
Tuesday, November 29, 1870
Brought Lucy over from Red
City –
Wednesday, November 30, 1870
Mary Smith and I went to the
Juvenile Concert at the Center –
Aunt Esther came. She is spending the night with us.
Friday, December 2, 1870
Took Aunt Esther to spend the
afternoon at Mrs. Griffin’s
Saturday, December 3, 1870
Took Aunt Esther to Red City
–
Sunday, December 4, 1870
Mr. Churchill revived the
subject of Tithes.
Monday, December 5, 1870
Carried cousin Ruth (?) to
Seymour.
Tuesday, December 6, 1870
Made my winter hat.
Wednesday, December 7, 1870
Washed
Thursday, December 8, 1870
Ironed &c –
Friday, December 9, 1870
“We” butchered –
Saturday, December 10, 1870
John took a sudden &
severe cold yesterday and is quite sick today –
Sunday, December 11, 1870
John was better through the
day and worse at night –
Burton had the croup last
night.
Monday, December 12, 1870
A rainy day
John rather better –
Tuesday, December 13, 1870
Washed &c –
Sarah sick abed now.
Wednesday, December 14, 1870
The folks the other side of
the street about so so –
Thursday, December 15, 1870
Sarah does not sit up at all.
Friday, December 16, 1870
Cold as Christmas
Saturday, December 17, 1870
We cleaned house and got
pretty tired –
Sunday, December 18, 1870
Came home from church to find
Mother with a nervous headache –
Monday, December 19, 1870
Mother sick all day with
neuralgia in her shoulder –
Washed &c –
Snow tonight –
Tuesday, December 20, 1870
Mother not as well –
Wednesday, December 21, 1870
Mother very sick with
Rheumatic fever –
Thursday, December 22, 1870
No better
Friday, December 23, 1870
About the same
Saturday, December 24, 1870
And still no better –
Sunday, December 25, 1870
A quiet Christmas &
Mother apparantly (sic) a little better – Mr. Walker came over on foot this
evening –
Monday, December 26, 1870
The catarrh complicates
matters –
Tuesday, December 27, 1870
A slight improvement –
Wednesday, December 28, 1870
Mother able to have her bed
made for the first time in a week.
The Christmas tree –
Thursday, December 29, 1870
Mother still better. The relics of the Christmas tree came over –
Friday, December 30, 1870
Mother sat up a little –
Saturday, December 31, 1870
Mother still improving
Mr. & Mrs. Walker came to
see her –
Oscar & I called at Mary
& Lucy’s this evening – I wrote to Lizzie King who has lost her little baby
& the old year went quietly out --