The Winterthur Library

 The Joseph Downs Collection of Manuscripts and Printed Ephemera

Henry Francis du Pont Winterthur Museum

5105 Kennett Pike, Winterthur, DE  19735

302-888-4600 or 800-448-3883

 

 

OVERVIEW OF THE COLLECTION

 

Creator:         Markley, Julia E.                                            

Title:               Memorandum book

Dates:             1850-1852

Call No.:         Doc. 322                    

Acc. No.:        86x189

Quantity:        1 volume

Location:        31 C 2

 

 

 

BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

 

Julia E. Markley resided in Greenville County, South Carolina.  Her parents were John H. and Rebecca Markley; Julia was born around 1842.  Her father was a farmer, and in 1850 owned 13 slaves (5 adult men, 3 adult women, 4 boys, and a girl).  She had an older brother Henry (probably not living at home, possibly a half-brother), and younger brothers and sister Thomas, James (Jimmy), Charles (Charlie), John, Robert (Bobby), William, and Jessie.  It is not known which village was the one closest to their home.

 

 

SCOPE AND CONTENT

 

This journal opens with a description of a trip Julia Markley took from her home in Greenville County, South Carolina, stopping in Columbia and ending in Charleston.  She stayed there for nearly two months.  While in Charleston, Miss Markley called on friends and relatives; went to or hosted teas; attended Catholic, Unitarian, and Baptist churches; saw a statue of John C. Calhoun in City Hall; and went to a fair at the South Carolina Institute and commented on the Bohemian glass and chinaware displayed there.  Her celebration of Christmas in 1850 included attending both Unitarian and Catholic services, buying a book at Mr. Russell's bookstore, eating dinner, having tea, and ending the celebration with fireworks.

 

There is a gap in entries between December 28, 1850, and August 11, 1851.  By this time, Markley was back with her family.  She made a vow to "keep a daily account of my life and hope that I may be more careful to spend this year more faithful to God and myself ..."  The brief entries continue until February 18, 1852.  During this period, Markley records such activities as teaching boys (her younger brothers), reading (both for herself and aloud to other people), sewing for her family and a society, doing needlework, quilting, attending church services, going to the village, and visiting neighbors.  Julia assumes responsibility for the household when her mother is ill, which included getting breakfast and doing some baking.  The Christmas celebration at home in 1851 seems to have been simpler than the one in Charleston in 1850.  Julia mentioned fixing stockings for the children and that her older brother went out shooting.

 

 

           

ORGANIZATION

 

The entries are in chronological order.

 

 

LANGUAGE OF MATERIALS

 

The materials are in English.

 

 

RESTRICTIONS ON ACCESS

 

Collection is open to the public.  Copyright restrictions may apply.

           

 

PROVENANCE

           

 

ACCESS POINTS

 

            People:

                        Markley family.

 

Topics:

Manners and customs - History - 19th century.         

                        Voyages and travels.

                        Young women - Social conditions.

                        Home economics - History - 19th century.

                        Christmas.

                        Church attendance.

                        Sewing.

                        Knitting.

                        Home schooling.

                        Young women – Diaries.

                        Books and reading.

 

                        Charleston (S.C.) - Description and travel.

                        Charleston (S.C.) – Social life and customs. 

                        Greenville County (S.C.) – Social life and customs. 

                        South Carolina \x Description and travel.

                        Diaries.

 

 

TRANSCRIPTION OF THE DIARY

 

Location: 31 C 2

 

[note: some punctuation and paragraphs have been added in order to make reading easier;  original spelling has been retained.]

 

 

Journal for 1850

 

[written in the margin:] 

in Columbia Mrs. John Scot and Miss A. Fleming called to see me and I returned the visit after Super.

 

I left home on the 6th of Nov at twelve o clock and reached Laurence at 8 o clock, very tired; at supper met Mr. C. C. Pinckney; slept all together in a very strange room; at 3 in the morning got up and got in the stage with a unpleasant passenger; continued on our road untill 3 in the afternoon; arrived at the railroad; after waiting an hour, got on the rail [this word is crossed out] cars and arrived at Columbia; staid at the United States Hotell kept by Hunt; sent for Tommy; he came after supper and stayed with us for a while; the next day we visited the Coledge and the Asylum, also Rusels garden; the next day all started for Charleston, wher arrived at 2 o clock, where were met by Dr Monefeldt; got in an Omnibus, at [sic] arrived at Mrs Howlands; glad to get home after a dusty travel.  

 

The next day was Sunday [Nov. 10th] and I went to Church with Brother H to St. Phillips; herd Mr Cammel and made a visit to Mrs. Andrews; no fire but glad to see me; asked me to visit her often and sit in her pew at Church; when we got home Mr and Mrs Barrow was waiting for me; asked me to [sic] and Lony to tea with her the next week, which I promised.  Mr Hurlbut and Doct Monefedt, Brother H dined with the H [Howland] family; none of us went to church in the afternoon; after tea all sat arround the fire and separated at 10 o clock; the next day I preserved Pears.

 

Tuesday [12th]:

Miss Justina and Sarah went down to King St and Sarah lost a pair of shoes; then they went to Walterbourough to see her relation.  Lony and my self to tea at Miss Mary Ann's; met the Bee's; Brother B came for us and walked home.  Mrs. H was waiting for us; did not sleep well at, had a bad cold.

 

Wednesday [13th]:

commenced to read Daived Copperfield; commenced a pair of mats; in the afternoon called on Mrs George Brown and Criastianna was pleased to see me; asked me to spend the day with her; asked after the family.

[David Copperfield by Charles Dickens]

 

Thursday [14th]:

went to the Battery; called on Mrs Willhelm; wa [sic, i.e. was] tired when [I has been crossed out]we came home; after tea read aloud the Nieghbours to Mrs H.; Mr W. Howland called on his Aunt; spoke about the situation of the North and South.

[The book is most probably The Neighbours by Frederika Bremer.]

 

Friday [15th]:

Lony and I went to the Confirmation; 60 or 70 was confirmed by Bishop Gadsen; after dinner we stayed home.

 

Saturday [16th]:

it rained and stayed at home and sewed for Mrs H on pillow cases; after tea Albert Elfe called, and Dr Gillman also.

 

Sunday: 17 Nove[mber]:

Lony and I went to the Unitarian Church, hered Mr Taggot from Kentucy; his text was from the Epistle of St John, a very good sermon; in the afternoon hered Mr Spear in Grace Church with Debby Elfe; in the afternoon, it turned cold, after tea, Mr Drummond and Carry and [sic] were very pleasant, asked me to spend the day with them.  Dr Monefeldt asked us to go to the lecture delivered by Govenor J Lumpkin in the Theatre, which we consented to do with pleasure.

[The governor is unidentified; Wilson Lumpkin was a governor of Georgia.]

 

Monday 18th:

In the morning wrote letters home and sewed after dinner.  Mrs H, Lony and I went a shopping; at dusk went to Doct M; he was not quite ready; waited for him; he came down and we went to theatre; the doors was not opened; walked down to the corner of Broad St; returned; got a good adress and was much pleased; returned to Mrs H; found Brother H, glad to us; Doct M was hungry; cooked some eggs and chafed some mutton and was statisfied [sic].   Brother H and the Doctor walked away together; in the night a fire occured in the night [sic] at the end of Hazel and Wentworth, near the Mckenebridges[?], but they were safe; the most loss was the iron foundary; in the afternoon of the same day, we went to see the Statue of Calhoon in the city hall; were much pleased.

[The Mckenebridges are unidentified; the Charleston city directory lists a blacksmith named McElheran on Wentworth; possibly this is who is meant.  The statue of John C. Calhoun is probably the one by Hiram Powers.]

 

Tuesday 19th

In the Morning we to Hhibernian hall to see some Bohemian glass and China ware, very handsome but to expensive; from their to the Military hall to the fair of the South Carolina Institute; saw a great many things but not as numerious as the year before; in the afternoon all of us went to the Unitarian Church to the funeral of Mr Daniel Webb.

 

Wednesday 20.

Rained all day.  I helped Lony on her chair; read to Mrs H at night; Mrs Gilling and her daughter came to town for eys [i.e. eyes].

 

Thursday 21th:

The weather claired, and Lony and I walked down to Dr Monefeldt to see Mrs Gilling; found her eys in a bad state; sat a while, then down to spend the day with Mrs Barrow; in the afternoon called to see Mrs Gerrard; met Mrs Duncan; spent a pleasant time; walked home; Dr M and Mrs G. took tea with Mrs H.  Albert Elfe called and Brother H; about 10 o clock they went away.

 

Friday 22nd

Lony went out by her self to call on the bride; after that dined with her Aunt Mary.  I stayed at home and sewed on her chair; after dinner Mary Gilling and I walked down to Dr M’s.  Lony walked home with me; after tea ripped up an old bead bag for the beads.  Brother H called in the evening, carried letters to the post office for us.

 

Saturday 23.

Mrs H and Lony, Willie and [sic] went to market and to the fair and returned just in time for dinner.  Miss Louisa Kerrison took tea with us.

 

Sunday 24 Nov

In the morning went to Grace Church, hered Mr Spear; Mr Pinckney read the service; road home with Debby Elfe; Mrs Gilling and Daughter, Dr Monefeldt, Mrs Wilhelme, and Brother H dined with us; in the afternoon all took a walk out to the arsenal and Bennets mills; the same company stayed to tea.

 

Monday, 25th

Sewed all the morning; in the afternoon Lony and I went out, called on the Statue of Calhoon, then saw me to the Drummond, where I took tea; after tea Vivian D and Brother H walked home with me.

 

Tuesday 26th

Sewed in the morning.  Mrs Banks and daughters called, also Mrs Robertson, in the afternoon; Lony and I went to find the Mantua Maker and after a long walk found her; said she would make it for me by Saturday.  Mrs Gilling came to tea.

 

Wednesday 27th

A very rainny day; moved into the Garret while the men where [sic, i.e. were] white washing the rest of the house; the mantua maker called, took a pattern home with her; in the evening Brother H brought me a letter from home; finished Copperfield.

 

Thursday 28th

Sewed in the morning; about 12 o’clock, Mrs Gilling and Mary came to dine.  Mary broke my [written over the word our] colgne [cologne] bottle, for which her Mother scolded her; in the afternoon we took a walk.  Dr M came for her after tea.  Brother H took tea with us.  Mr and Mrs J Bryan called.

 

Friday 29th

 Lony and I went out shoping with Mrs Gilling; walked up and down King St trying to match tings[?], but did not succeed very well; was very tired when I got home.  Mrs H waked [sic, i.e. walked] down after supper to see Mrs Gilling as she is to start tomorrow for Walterbourough.  Doct M walked home with her, eat some cold mutton, then bid us good bye and walked home.

 

Saturday 30th,

Sewed in the morning; after dinner Lony, Mrs H, Willie and I walked down to King St; purchased a cap for Willie.  Mrs H & I then went to market, bought sausages and fruit, then went to Millars for biscuits and a wig, then to Mr Porters for a ham and water cracker, then to a bookstore for paper & envelops, then to a grocers for a bucket, then came home after a long walk.

[Wigs, or wiggs, were a kind of bun.]

 

December 1st, 1850, Sunday

Very dull in the Morning but went to church.  Brother H, Doctor M came to dinner; in the afternoon it rained very hard; all staid home; had a early tea then after separated for the night  Albert Elfe came in the evening.

 

Monday 2nd

Heavy fog, then damp and dull; mid day it cleared up; walked to Mrs Barow in the after noon, then went to see Mrs Colt[?].

 

Tuesday 3th

Stayed at home in the morning; in the afternoon went to see the WiIkies; took tea with Mrs Barow; walked up with B.H.

 

Wednesday 4

Stayed at home all day and sewed.

 

Thursday 5th 

Stayed at home in morning; in the afternoon walked up King St to the collar[?] woman, then took tea with Mrs G Brown; Miss Chapman was their, Mrs Beemer saw Gibbs Blacker[?] handed  tea.  B.H. and Willie for us; spent a pleasant evening.

 

Friday 6th

Went to church in the morning; B.H. took dinner; had hopping John; then we went to walk on the battery, then to the warfs, then to Mrs Tunis, then to Jew Sinagogue, then up home; took tea, then played cards till 10 o clock.

 

Saturday 7

Rained all day untill near night; then Lony and my self went to walk to King St to Marians; in the morning helped Mrs H to make pickles

 

Sunday 8th Decem

Quite cool in the morning; went to the Baptist church in Church St with Mr Brown and Anna; hered Mr Kendric; delightful singing; came home to dinner, then in the afternoon went to Grace church; hered Mr Pinckney, then home.  William Howland came to tea, then Mr and Mrs Brease to sit in the evening, then Mrs Barrow.  Maun Amy bought me some Groundnut cake.

 

Monday 9th

Willie and I walked to King St to get some thing to send home by Mr Mooney; wrote home in the afternoon; took tea with Miss Kerrison.

 

Tuesday 10th

stayed at home in the morning; took a walk in the evening.

 

Wednesday 11th

Went to see Mrs Barrow; got morracco to make a needle book.

 

Thursday 12

Went to call on the Mckneleges; met them in the street; then called on Miss Sarah Powel, found her at home; then to Mrs Mulling, saw her and her daughters and son and she asked me to come and spend some time with her; in the afternoon Lony fixed my hair, then I went to Mrs Tunis, took tea, met Mrs Shackelford, Miss Elfe, Mr Sutton, Col A[illegible]; then walked home by the bridge.

 

Friday 13th

Sewed in the morning; Miss Jessie and the rest came from Walterbourough.  Dctor M dined the family and stayed to tea.  Brother H came up in the evening; all went to bed quite tired.

 

Saturday 14th

Lony and Laurar went out in morning; in the afternoon 'Miss Jessie and I went out a shopping for her Aunt Mary; returned home quite late, retired early.

 

Sunday 15th December

In the morning I went to church to St Peters with Miss Kerrison to hear Mr Miles but heared Mr Pringle; liked him pretty well.  Mr Stewart dined with the family; did not stay to tea; we were glad to get rid of him.

 

Monday 16th

Miss Jessie and I out a shopping and stayed out quite late; stoped in the oyster Saloon, got a tart, then home; the family nearly done dinner; in the afternoon all stayed at home.

 

Tuesday 17th

Stayed at home in the morning; in the afternoon Miss Jessie and Sarah went out a shopping and returned home.  Mr. Elfe came in after supper and stayed a while.  Mr H was to sick and tired to come up.

 

Wednesday 18th

Quite a beutiful day.  Mr H came about 12 o’clock in the morning, looking quite well, and all glad to see him; mad[e] us all a present of a pot of pomatum; in the afternoon, Miss Justina and I went out to pay visits, got home quite late.

 

Thursday 19th

Stayed at home all day; in the evening Mr Auray came; in the evening we had a dance, then the girls played on the piano, B H came too; at 12’o clock we separated, quite tired.

 

Friday 20th

Stayed at home all day and sewed; spent a pleasant evening.

 

Saturday 21th

Miss Jessie and I went to dress the church; met Miss Eliza Gillman, Miss Willson, Miss Gibbon, Miss Cooper, and other; stayed quite late; did not go out again that day.

 

Sunday 22nd

Brother H came for me to go to St Phillips with him; Sarah went also; we were pleased, heared Mr Waggner; returned home to dinner; went to the Unitarian church with Mr Howland, hered Dr Glllman; returned home to tea; seperated at 10 o’clock.

 

Monday, 23th

In the morning in company with Miss Jessie, returned to the church; met the other ladies; finished dressing [the church for Christmas]; then went in to King St; made some purchases; returned home to 3 o’clock dinner; then went to Mrs Barons to beg for natural flowers to dress the alter [altar], but did not get any; in the evening made some preparations for Christmas; sat up late.

 

Tuesday, 24th

In the morning made pies of mince meat that came from Baltimore and a Sponge cake; done up some muslins; after dinner worked a book mark for Laura, finished a needlebook, helped dress dools [i.e. dolls] for the negrows.  Brother H came, & Mr Hurlbut, spent a lively evening; went to bed at 12 o’clock.

 

Christmas day

Got up early in the morning; dressed; B.H. came to breakfast; heared the alarm of fire; all rushed to see where it was; soon put out; after breakfast all went to the Unitarian Church, heared Dr. Gilman.  Miss Jessie, Jilione, Sarah, Laura, Brother H and me went down to the Roman Catholic church, stayed about an hour; then to King St; stoped at Mr Russels book store; bought a book; then home to dinner.  Mr and Mrs Barrow was at Mr H for a short time; after they went away, we had dinner: all of the family, Mrs Wilhelme, Dr Monefeldt, W Howland, Mr G Hurlbut, Brother H and my self; quite a merry party; all remained to tea but W Howland; in the afternoon Mr H and Mr Hurlbut, Jillion and I went to walk by Bennitt Mill pond and rice mill; got into a schooner; saw some works on our way home; after tea the presents were given, then fireworks in the yard; at 10 we separated.

 

26 Dec

I spent the day with the Drummonds; walked In King St with Mrs Bonnel; then dined, stayed to tea, then went to the Cuba Panorama by Loomis; was not much pleased.  Brother H walked home with me.

[Osbert Burr Loomis was the artist of the Cuba panorama.]

 

27, Friday

Lony worked on her hats I on my mat; in the evening we all danced.

 

Saturday 28

all stayed at home

 

 

[gap until August 11, 1851]

 

 

August 11th, 1851

Journal

I purpose to keep a dally account of my life and hope that I may be carefull to spend this year more faithful to God and myself and that may enable me to reflect more, on the shortness of life.

 

Aug 11th, Monday.

A very hot day.  Father made me a present of a beauro [bureau] and I moved into my new room down stairs; made a bonnet for Jessie, and worked on the stool for the Society; wrote a note to Miss Hen[?] Stone in answer to one of hers, went to bed early.

 

Tuesday, 12

Helped Mother about breakfast, sewed on woostard [worsted] work all day; hered Robby read and fixed my beura; after supper wrote to Mrs Hoaland [probably Howland], then fixed my frame with Fathers help.

 

Wednesday 13th

Made arraingments to go to the village; started about 9 o’clock.  Society met as [sic, i.e. at] Mrs Beatties; carred my stool; Mrs T Loundis comparied ours together, suited well. Sallis T was their, called on Miss Corrie; saw her frame; dined at Uncle Toms; went to Aunt E's; saw Grandmother, all was well, then came home; got a litter [sic, i.e. letter] from Touny [? perhaps Tommy is meant].

 

Thursday, 14th

Before breakfast took a dose of slalts [sic, i.e. salts]; helpe[d] Mother with a matrass tick, then sewed on my stool, read the Paper and walked in the afternoon.

 

Friday 15th

Took Salts; taught the boy untill dinner time; after dinner went over to Mrs Thompson, saw Mrs. Dr Gantt [or Gault]; passed a pleasant visit; Sallle was not at home; read to Mother the Pioneers Daughter; did not feel very well.

[The Pioneer’s Daughter, by Emerson Bennett.]

 

Saturday 16th

Altered a dress for Venus; Preserved Peaches; made cake and read to mother; weather quite hot; negres had a prayer meeting, at night, felt better.

 

Sunday 17th

Father, Charlie and me went up to the village to Church; Mr. Aurther preached from Proverbs 28, chap 26, verse [number omitted], a good sermon; found Aunt E very sick, all the rest well and at church; dined with Mr Watson; Jane Dyer came home with me to pass a few days.  I received a letter from Carry Drummond; went to Dr Crooks, got some medicine too, a dose of calomel at night

 

Monday, 18th

Felt badly in the morning, the effects of the Calomel, but worked on my stool; Father made the wool matrass; Jimmy went to the village with wheat; found Aunt E quite sick; the weather looked cloudy and quite hot and dry; laid down and slept in the mid day; at [sic] Jane told my fortune in the Sybal; got a bundle from Mrs H of seeds

[Jane was perhaps using something like “The Sybil’s Leaves” to tell Julia’s fortune; see Doc 63 at this repository.]

 

Tuesday 19th

Quite a dull morning; Jane & me walked down to the lower place for figs but was disappointed; got Quinces; got home in time for breakfast; Father thrashed wheat until dinner; after dinner I laid down; the rain commenced and continued; Jane fixed my hair and I fixed hers; after tea we begun a mosaic cushion out of silk pieces, then went to bed with a dose of Pills

 

Wednesday 20th

Very rainy and dull all day; finished too [i.e. two] cushions; helped about dinner; sewed on the stool till night; played with the boys, at night, read some, then to bed; filt better than usual

 

Thursday 21th

After breakfast Mother and Jane D up to the village; I preserved some Damsons over, then made Quince Jelly; Mother returned by dinner, then saw about the clothes; at night it looked dull and cloudy [word is completed on next page] and lightened excessively; retired quite early; took pills

 

Friday, 22nd

A most beutifull day; sewed constantly on my stool; heared some lessons; went to bed early

 

Saturday 23th

Got up early, helped about breakfast; afterward made a Sponge cake and crackers for Sunday; had dinner late; Jimmy went home with Mr Hill; Mother and me fell out but soon got over it; I much out of houmour without a cause, God forgive me; at night it look rainy; Bobby slept with me; took pills

 

Sunday 24th

Rained all day, hard, and blew all the corn down; hered the boys read in the morning; after dinner read for Mother; saw about tea; wiped the things; read out of Jeremiah to Mother, then to bed.  Quite cool

 

Monday 25th

Taught the boys in the morning and sewed.  Jimmy returned to dinner.  Father went to the poor house.  I took a warm bath.  Weather pleasent

 

Tuesday 26th

Finished the stool, all except filling up; taught the boys; wrote a note to Sallie; Drank Cherry tea.  Looked like rain at night

 

Wednesday 27th

Quite a cool day; I went up to the village to the Socity; met at Miss McBees, only three present; dined at Mrs Townes; met Mrs John Roberts; call at Aunt E; found her better; then came home; there was a ball given to the Govemer (Means) at night

[John Hugh means was governor of South Carolina, 1850-1852.]

 

Thursday 28th

Taught In the morning and filled in the patterns; very cool all day; read the papers to Mother.

[added in margin above:]

Betty Garrison was marred to Mr Acre, a widoer, quite a private weding.

[Mary Elizabeth Garrison married Peter Newton Acker.]

 

Friday 29th

Helped Mother to make an overcoat for Jessie, then taught; after diner went down to Mrs Charles Garrison’s, saw Mrs and Miss Westfield; passed a pleasant visit; then to Mrs Turners; Frances was sick, all the rest well; got home late; knit on Jimmy’s sock; Charlie read the Old Englies Barrons to us.

[book not identified]

 

Saturday 30th

Helped about the house; received a letter from Miss Jessie; made cake after a new reciete

 

Sunday 31st

Brother Henry came down to breakfast; Father and me went up to church; Mr Aurther gave us one of his best sermons; Miss Louisa played the organ; dined at uncle T’s; Grandmother came home with us; Brother H stayed all night; went up early in the morning; I slept up stairs and was suffering from a bad cold.

 

[September 1851]

 

Monday 1st Sep,

Taught in the morning and sewed on the society work; wrote a note to Sallie about work; read; walked with Grandmother; Weather Quite cool

 

Tuesday 2ond

Jessies birthday, too years old; sewed all day; Aunt H, Uncle T came down, in the afternoon, I received a note from Miss Hen. Stone to pass the rest of the week with her, which I accepted; Sent the stool by Aunt H; wrote a note to Mrs Towns; was suffering from a bad cold.

 

Wednesday 3th

Made pickles in the morning and got ready to go to the Stones, after dinner, accompanied by Grandmother, drove there; was pleasantly received; all home but Miss Mary; commenced a needle book; took tea in the entry; slept with Miss Hen

 

Thursday 4th

Got up early; after prayers had breakfast; then sewed untill dinner time; then helped make a sponge cake; learned how make boiled Iceing, then got ready for company; all the Smyths were to tea, also Sallie and Mrs Dr Gault; passed quite a lively evening; Sallie stayed all night

 

Friday 5th

Mrs Stone early in the morning went down to her sister; the roads was lined with people going to see a man hung for murdur; Margaret and Henry Smyth, also Mrs Sam Townes and Miss Hurt[?] call on us and we rode home part of the way

 

Saturday 6th

Mrs Davis and family went to the village shopping; Mrs and Miss Mcbee and Mrs Carson called; Mrs Stone came, in the mean time, brought the fan Father had made; it was much admired; drizzly by day; Miss Hen and Eugenia rode to the village to singing; Mrs Butler went home

 

Sunday 7th

all went to the Presbyterian church, hered Mr Gailiard preach; ate dinner at the church, stayed to afternoon service; Sallie dined with us; had a very hard rain.  Mother talk with us at the carriage.

 

Monday 8th

Mrs Davis and family went to chick springs to spend the week; croched [crocheted] on a purse; paid a visit at Mrs, Smith; returned and had supper by candelight, then prayers

 

Tuesday 9th

Very clouday and dull; kept us from paying visits.  Mother came for me in the afternoon.  I returned with her after a most delightfull visit of a week; found all well but Father, Myself nearly well of my cold  

 

Wednesday 10th

Felt badly all day and very weak; sewed on my quilt, made great progress with Mother’s help; took pills at night,

 

Thursday 11th

Got up very sick, had to go to bed again; felt badly for some time, but sewed on the quilt all day; read the papers to mother; took a walk in the afternoon with Mother and Grandmother; Charley read at night

 

Friday 12th

Commenced to write a letter to Tommy before breakfast; made Jelly and citron mellon preserves; Sewed on the ribbon to the bookmark; Sallie Thompson came over in the afternoon; Grandmother and me walked home with her; Felt quite sick, at night, Charlie read to us; took Pills; Col Townes begun work at the old [illegible]

 

Saturday 13th

Father went to the village; I made citron preserves and read Now and Then to Mother; Sent some over to Sallie; hered Uncle T was going, made up a bundle for him to take to the city; wrote to Tommy and Mrs Hooland [sic, i.e. Howland]

[The book is possibly Now and Then by Samuel Warren.]

 

Sunday 14th

Charlie, Robby and me went up to the village; hered Mr Aurther; dined at Uncle, all of his family were out; Aunt E dined out in the country; returned early

 

Monday 15

Finished some mats; in the afternoon walked down to Mrs. Turners; had quite a pleasant visit; walked home, did not feel so very tired as we expected; went early

 

Tuesday 16th

Helped about the house and finished a doyley [sic, i.e. doily] for Mother; commenced a pair of suspendrs for Father; walked down to Mr Langer[?]

 

Wednesday 17th

Rode in the wagon to the village; went a shopping and paid a visit to Mrs Turpin; dined at Aunt E on Beef soup, then passed some time with Aunt H; borrowed some papres then rode home; read out loud at night

 

Thursday 18th

Helped about the house, then knit and read the Regicide’s Daughter to Mother; drew molasses; at night read again

[The Regicide’s Daughter, by W. H. Carpenter.]

 

Friday 19th

Finished reading; done up some collars and fluted them; in the afternoon paid a visit to Sallie Thompson; saw Mrs, James Gault; walked by the road way home

 

Saturday 20th

In the morning fixed my dress to go to stay in the village; after dinner grandmother helped me to make some rabbits for the fair; made seven[?]; fixed my baket [sic, basket is probably meant] at night for the village

 

Sunday 2lth

Jimmy, Charlie, and I went up to the village; the Bishop preached, and confirmed 12, then administered the communion; dined at Uncle T; went to church In the afternoon, hered Mr McCoulough; stayed at Aunt H's

 

Monday 22nd

Made a basket out of cruel [crewel]; Miss Corry spent the day; at 4 o’clock Mrs Hingsland [possibly Kingsland] came down, was making emories for the fair; took a short walk to the falls; Mrs. Benedict house was burned up; I went to the Presbyterian church with Brother H; heared Mr Wills preach

 

Tuesday 23th

Paid a visit to Aunt E, then walked to the Powels; bought the muslin in for my spencer and commenced to make it.

 

Wednesday 24

Finished the spencer and fixed the Rabbits and read Lewis Arundle; did not feel well

[Lewis Arundel, by Frank E. Smedley]

 

Thursday 25th

Walked up to the fair room, no body was their; then went to Miss Corry’s, had a piece of cake.  Mr Croft was to be buried at 12 o’clock; went home for Aunt H to help with the music; copse [corpse] came sooner than expected, not many people at the funeral; his wife’s body was removed from the garden to the grave yard, also his grandchildren; then to dinner; after, Aunt H fixed my hair, took tea with Miss C and went to the fair with her; stayed untill eleven; Brother H won the stool.

 

Friday 26th

Walked to the fair room, stayed a while, then had dinner.  Wrote to Miss Hallonquist; knit at night.

 

Saturday 27th

Wrote to Carry D; went to milleners; also begged so Backlors from Robbersons; dined at Aunt H; went to Aunt E, sat a while, then to Mrs, Hokes; took tea; borrowed a book, Dombey and Son; then back to Aunt H; received a letter from Tommy

[Dombey and Son, by Charles Dickens]  

 

Sunday 28th

Went to Sunday school; borrowed some books; Mother came to church; Mr Aurther preached on church government; went again in the evening

 

Monday 29th

Had some meshes made, then went to Mrs Hokes; from their to Mrs Robberts; she was out; saw Mrs Elford and Ellen Robberts; went back to Mrs H; commenced the cap; knit and talked

 

Tuesday 30th

Went to Mrs R and stayed untill dinner time; net in the afternoon; learned Susy how to do mats; Venus came up with Jessie; Mr Green stayed all night; had talk with her

[the order of the last phrases is unclear since some of them were written above the line]

 

[October 1851]

 

October 1st [the word October is written on top of the word September]

Susy and me went to walk and called on Mrs Davis and got book out of the library and a strange conversation with Mr Green; called on Mrs R Smith

 

Thursday 2ond

Went to Mrs Robberts with my netting; Met Mrs Maulding, Miss Croton and other ladies; stayed a good while; Miss Bezalue dined with Susy; a Mr Ward took tea; spent a pleasant evening

 

Friday 3th

Net in the morning; early dinner, then paid a visit to Carry Goodlette, Mrs Crook and Mrs Acer; found all at home; saw Mr Towns at the window; all pleasant visits; then took tea with Miss Bezalue; got home early

 

Saturday 4th

Went to Mrs Robberts to finish my cap; had company; did not stay long; came home and finished it; then stuffed a cushion for a needle book; Mrs. Hoke, Susy and me went out visiting to Mrs Footers, Mrs Lynch, Betty Rowland; had a most pleasant visit; stayed longer than we wanted to; then to Mrs Bobberst Duncan’s, then to Mrs Hokes; after tea walked to the falls with Dr Crook; had a talk with him at Mrs Hokes; went to bed at 10 o clock

 

Sunday 5th

Went to Sunday school, then to church; dined at Aunt H; Grandmother came up and I returned home; saw Aunt E; Dr W Smith preached in the Methodist church; found mother looking for us; quite cool

 

Monday 6th

Quilted all day; felt well; talked with mother; verry cool; read Dombey and son to self

 

Tuesday 7th

Quilted in the morning; after dinner, Miss Mary Stowe and Hellen Davis called and stayed sometime; had to finish her needle book; read Who is the Greatest by Miss Howit aloud

[Who Shall Be the Greatest, by Mary Botham Howitt]

 

Wednesday 9th

Mother and Father went to the village; I sewed on needle books and finished, then sent it over to Sallie; got some roses; had a sore toe; Lidy went home; Folks got home quite late; all well

 

Thursday 9th

Quilted all day; read Patronage, Edgworth, and knit at night; very lame; braided a cap front for Grandmother

[Patronage, by Maria Edgeworth]

 

Friday 10th

got the quilt out and read in the evening

 

Saturday 11th

Read and knit all day and helped about the house

 

Sunday 12th

Mother and Charlie went up to church.  My toe was very sore; read Lady of the Manor; Grandmother came home with Mother to stay with us

[probably The Lady of the Manor by Mrs. Sherwood, but possibly the same title by James Hook.]

 

Monday 13th

Braided a cap for Grandmother and made it up.  Frances Turner came for me to go home with her; promised to go the next day; weather pleasant but dry

 

Tuesday 14th

Charlie and me rode to Mrs T’s on Old Buck; helped with the dress; spent a pleasant day; Mother came for me; had a nice ride in the carriage; put in the comfort

 

Wednesday 15

Quilted in the morning; Grandmother and me walked over to the Thompsons; out some time; Sallie walked part of the way home with us; took her Who is the Greatest

 

Thursday 16th

Quilted in the morning; afternoon Sallie came over; found out an enigma to gather [probably means together]; walked home with her; wrote to Tommy

 

Friday 17th

Mother quite unwell; got up and got the breakfast.  The Smiths spent the day with us, very pleasant.  Jimmy came home; received a letter from Cary Drummond, quite kind one, it was

 

Saturday 18th

Attended to the house all day; read in the afternoon aloud; wrote a note to Susy Hoke

 

Sunday 19

up to the village to church; got up late, hered Mr Depone; returned quite early; got tea; read aloud to the boys; talked to Brother Henry who stayed all night; called on Jane Anderson

 

Monday 20th

Put out Breakfast; after, sewed all day; read at night a Indian Story aloud; hered the boys the lessons; wrote a note to Sallie

[book not identified]

 

Tuesday 21

Quilted out the quilt; Grandmother bound it; walked out

 

Wednesday 22nd

Commenced a shirt for Charlie and kept house; heared the boys and read aloud Home Influence

[Home Influence, by Grace Aguilar]

 

Thursday 23

Wrote a letter to Mrs Barrow in the morning; went to see Sallie, she was out; saw Mrs Dr Gault, passed a pleasant time.

 

Friday 24th

Mother took a dose of oil.  I sewed and kept house.  Jimmy came home and brought a letter from Miss Hallonquist;  all will [well] in the village.

 

Saturday 25th

Fixed about the house all day and helped cut out a packet for Jimmy; Grandmother fried marels; Father read to us after tea; John and Boby slept with me

 

Sunday 26

Mother went to the village to church chore [sic, perhaps choir was meant] and Bobby; Grandmother stayed with me; I read to her Elisama; read aloud at night; Mother came home in good spirit

[Elisama, or, the Captivity and Restoration of the Jews, by Jarvis Gregg]

 

Monday 27th

Heared the boys read; Father went to the village; Mr Watson left for Charleston; Aunt quite sick; Father got home late; Mr Wilson came to make shoes

 

Tuesday 28th

Sewed on a shirt for Charlie, finished it; heared the boys and read aloud and knit,

 

Wednesday 29th

Father commenced to dig Potatoes; about 12 o’clock, it commenced to rain; had to stop; rained very hard; at night riped up my Alpacca dress to make it over

 

Thursday 30th

Grandmother, Father, and me went to the village; returned some books to Susy Hoke, also Mrs Dyers and Aunt H; tried to get a dress, did not succeed; went to Mr Pick[?], brest pin was not finished; returned  home early; Sallie rode over to see me; Brother [or Mother]  entertained her; passed a pleasant time; Uncle T came home

 

Friday 31th

sewed on my dress all day; read at night Patronage, and knit; weather quite warm and pleasant

 

[November 1851]

 

Saturday November 1th

Quite unwell all day; fluted some frills; helped about the house; read in the afternoon; Mother cut out clothes for the boys and got ready for Sunday

 

Sunday 2on

Mother, Charlie and Jimmy went up, saw Uncle T, looked well, got home quite late; I read and wrote; fixed dinner; Becky came at night

 

Monday 3

sewed on my dress and read Patronage aloud; hered the boys their lessons

 

Tuesday

Father went to a trial at the poor house; finished my dress and knit on a sock

 

Wednesday 4

Spent the day with Sallie; commenced to braid a cap; made Candy; Bobby with me[?] came home just at night; read at night; lerned Sallie to mat

 

Thursday 5th

Mother was in bed all day; had all the house keeping; cut her skirt; wrote a note to Mrs. T; Sallie came in the evening with her mat, helped her to finish it

 

Friday 6th

Mother still unwell; had soup for dinner; Mr Langer dined with us; praised the soup highly

 

Saturday 7

Mother better; made some potatoe pies; fixed for Sunday

 

Sunday 8th

Jimmy, Charlie and [sic] went up to the village to church; hered Mr Aurthur; dined at Uncles T; Grandmother came home with us; read a sermon at night

 

Monday 9th

Hered the boys; Father went to the village; bought some muslin for me; sewed on a Shirt for Charlie; read the papers at night; finished Lewis Arundel

 

Tuesday 10

Hered the boys; sewed, knit, and read

 

Wednesday 12

Hered the boys; commence my body to a muslin dress; mother fitted it for me; read at night; very rainy day

 

Thursday 13

Sewed on dress; hered the boys read

 

Friday 14th

very cold, sewed all day, knit at night

 

Saturday 15th

Jimmy came home; brought an invitation to Mrs Turpin’s party; in the afternoon walked with Sallie

 

Sunday 16th

Father and me went to the village; dined with Aunt; Mr[?] Watson quite sick; Aunts E and H, uncle T went out to Mrs Stokes to a funeral; got home early

 

Monday 17th

Finished my dress early; fixed some other things for the village

 

Tuesday 18th

Fluted collars; got my things packed up; started at 2 o’clock; got in time; went out, bought Gloves, belt, Ribban, shoes; dressed at Aunts and went round to Uncles T, then to the party; enjoyed my self verry much; got home about 12 

 

Wednesday 19th

Sewed all the morning; after dinner called with Mrs Hoke and [illegible] on the Turpins, Crook and Bolings and Walkers; bought the ribbon for my bonnet

 

Thursday 20th

Dull weather; bought a pair of Gaiters, then went round to Aunt H; got her to trim it; commenced to rain; had to stay to dinner; walked home with Uncle T; read Toon Racquet to her

[book not identified]

 

Friday 21th

Very dull, sewed all day, read at night, quite cold

 

Saturday 22ond

Got up early; fixed my room; dressed; after breakfast spent the day with Betty Roland; went over to Mrs Brooks in the afternoon, had quite a pleasant time

 

Sunday 23thd

Went to church; dined with Aunt; rained after dinner but came home; Brother H stayed all night

 

Monday 24th

Sewed on Mother’s Brown dress; hered the boys; commenced to read Hawkstone

[Hawkstone, by William Sewell]

 

Tuesday 25

Sewed all the morning; hered the boy; paid Sallie a visit in the afternoon; found she was to leave for the city soon

Wednesday 26 [this entry written in the margin]

Sewed all day

 

27 Thursday

commenced a chushion and hered the boy read and knit

 

Friday 28

Finished a dress; Grandmother sick; took a dose of oil; fluted some frills for Sallie and took a walk with[?] her[?]

 

Saturday 29th

Helped about the house; fluted frills again

 

Sunday 30th

Rained all day.  Brother H and Uncle T came down; read a sermon at night; slept with Grandmother

 

[December 1851]

 

Monday December 31th  [sic, i.e. Dec. 1]

Cut Candle Papers and made a pair of under sleeves to send to the city; made up a box to send down and a slip lining for a buggy

 

Tuesday 2ond

Hered the boys their lessons and cut papers; read Hawkstone and knit; felt much better

 

The day is done and the darkness falls

 

From Wednesday 3th

commenced the purse for Aunt H; worked on it all day; boys said their lessons

 

Thursday 4th

Worked on the purse.  Killed the meat; very cold; moved all things out of the spring house

 

Friday 5

My parent [sic] Wedding day; Mother and I went out in the yard and attended to it; finished about 7 o clock, quite tired; still cold

[part of this entry seems to refer to killing the meat or moving the things out of the spring house]

 

Saturday 6th,

Mother sick; I had to attend to all kinds of work; made Molasses candy for the boys; went to bed early

 

Sunday 7th

Charlie, Bobby, and I went to church; came [home omitted?] without stopping; Brother Henry came to stay all night; made eggnog for them at night

 

Monday 8th

went to work on the purse; boys said their lessons; read aloud at night

 

Tuesday 9th

Croched [crocheted] on the purse; after dinner went to see Sallie; all sick, did not see Mrs T; wrote to Tommy at night

 

Wednesday l0th

At the purse again all day; read at night; Father went to the village with his buggy

 

Thursday 11th

Fluted and ironed all day; at night, read the paper aloud and knit; Jimmy went to village

 

Friday 12th

Made the fringe for purse; hered the boys and read Tales of the Village alloud; knit at night

[Tales of the Village, by Francis Edward Paget]

 

Saturday 13th

Kept house all day; Mother sewed

 

Sunday 14th

Looked dull; stayed at home and read; after dinner Uncle T and Aunt H, Lulu, Mary, and Brother H drove down for a while; when they went home, we went to take a walk

 

Monday 15

finished the Purse fringe; it turned quite cold; knit at night

 

Tuesday 16

Still cold; read Woman’s Friendship

[Woman’s Friendship, by Grace Aguilar]

 

Wednesday 17

Verry cold; sewed and knit; days very short

 

Thursday 18

Father went to the village and bought a stove and brought home a jacket to make

 

Friday 19th

Helped mother all day on the jacket [two illegible words, one above the line]

 

Saturday 20th

Finished the jacket; made a sack for Jessie

 

Sunday 21th

Verry dull; none of us went to the village; Mother and Father went to Mr Langor; Brother H came down to stay all night

 

Monday 22ond

Jimmy went to the village; also Father brought home a present of a piece of carpet for me which I was quite delighted with; Uncle T sent Mother a brass bound pail and sundries

 

Tuesday 23th

Sewed all day and read and knit; made a frill for Aunt E

 

Wednesday 24th

Made things for the Holidays; took a walk after dinner; fixed the stockings for the Children

 

Thursday 25th

Brother Henry came down to breakfast with us, then went a gunning, but it rained, and they came home and spent the day with us.  I wrote to Ilione but did not finish the letter; at night made Egg nog for the men; slept with Grandmother

 

Friday 26th

Father and Brothers went a gunning; Mrs Langor paid us a visit; had a Turkey for dinner; commenced on book mark for Carry D; made Eggnog again

 

Saturday 27th

Rainy; Brother H stayed to breakfast, then carried his game home; I finished the bookmark

 

Sunday 28th

Quite dull; Father and all the family read the morning service, then had dinner; after dinner went to ride horse back but it rained so hard that we had to return; then finishd my letters

and commenced another

 

Monday 29th

Sewed all the morning; in the afternoon wrote to Tommy and Carry D; read at night

 

Tuesday 30

Sewed on my Quilt with Grandmother all day

 

Wednesday 31th

Kept house all day and cooked; hemed some Handkerchiefs and marked them

 

[January 1852]

 

January 1, 1852

Thursday 1st

Grandmother and I went to the village; roads bad; dined with Aunt E; called on Betty Rowland; Went to see Aunt H; commenced a Quilt; was quite sick at night; had to go to bed right off

 

Friday 2ond

Helped with the meat; stuffed the Sausages; and read the Papers to Mother at night

 

Saturday 3th

Commenced Jessie’s frock; Mother so unwell that she could not leave her room; I minded the children and kept house; turning very cold

 

Sunday 4th

Fine day; Mother sick in bed; all stayed at home; Father went to see Mr Smith

 

Monday 5th

Finished Jessie dress, and kept house, and commenced Guy Mannering aloud, went to soon

[Guy Mannering, by Sir Walter Scott]

 

Tuesday 6th

Made Venus Sack, then sewed on my Quilt, and read, in the evening, knit on socks

 

Wednesday 7th

Sewed on my Quilt and knit on Charles’ sock and finished it

 

Thursday 8th

Went to see Mrs Thompson; took Jessie with me; came home to dinner; sewed on the Quilt

 

Friday 9th

Sewed on the Quilt all day; knit at night; all well; wet day; read papers, and dressed a doll for Sis

 

Saturday 10th

 Cooked all day; fixed my things; at night made Alumets; turned very cold

[Alumettes are a kind of pastry.]

 

Sunday 11th

Mother and Charlie went to the village; Brother H and Mr Watson dined with us; Mother stayed in the village; very cold and winday

 

Monday 12th

Wrote a letter and finished a book mark and sent them to the office; made a Rabbit after dinner; knit at night; still cold

 

Tuesday 13th

Sent for Mother; Sewed on a needle book; Mother came; brought a quantity of work home

 

Wednesday 14th

Began a pink dress for Jessie; knit at night

 

Thursday 15th

cut candle papers; sent them home; sewed for Father; made all the boys say their lessons

 

Friday 16th

Helped Mother sew on pantaloons; read the papers; made some new cake; succeede well

 

Saturday 17th

Made a bonnet for Jessie and made other thing; went to ride in the afternoon; weather warm

 

Sunday 18

Rained all; stayed home; read to my self

 

Monday 19

Sewed on a Jacket for Charlie; made cake; in the evening read; received a letter from llione

 

Tuesday 20

Very cold; sewed on Jacket and made fire

 

Wednesday 21

Finished the Jacket; commenced a waist coat for Jimmy; Knit at night; still cold; plenty of [illegible]

 

Thursday 22

Made a Waist coat for Charlie; Father went to the village; still cold; Jessie not well

 

Friday 23th

Made another Waistcoat for Jimmy to go to school; knit at night; heared the boys regular all the week

 

Saturday 24th

Made a cap for Grandmother and a pair of under sleeves for my self; very tired at night, wrote to Tommy

 

Sunday 25

Jimmy, Charlie and I went to the village; got up in time for church; their was lay reading; dined at Uncle T; left Jimmy to go to school; got home in time; Brother H spent the day and stayed

all night

 

Monday 26

Wrote for Father and hered the boys

 

Tuesday 27

Charlie and I went to the village; bought a dress for my self; dined with Mrs Hascot; all the rest in the country; got my dress fitted; came home early

 

Wednesday 28

Helped on a Jacket for John and helped to keep house; knit at night; Uncles T’s meat killed

 

Thursday 29

Planlattoons [sic, i.e. pantaloons] for John; finished his Jacket; took a walk; knit at night

 

Friday 30 Finished the panlatton; Jimmy came down; Mother and I walked to Mrs Langors; had a pleasant visit; very cold[?]

 

Saturday 31

Made a Set of curtains for Father; Made cake; wound cotton

 

[February 1852]

 

Sunday Febuary [sic] 1

Mother sick in bed; Father went to the village, took John; spring day; read the book of Proverbs aloud to Mother

 

Monday 2on

Kept house; mother still in bed; commenced my dress; quite tired at night; Boys commenced school

 

Tuesday 3rd

Mother still sick; sewed on the dress

 

Wednesday 4

Mother better; nearly finished my dress; cold

 

Thursday 5

Finished my dress in the morning; called on Mrs Thompson, found her out; came home and sewed on the quilt

 

Friday 6th

Mother pretty well; Charlie drove to the village; took Jessie; dug up some flowers; brought Jimmy home

 

Saturday 7

Finished some jobs; baked some cacks [cakes]; read; helped Venus to make a Sponge cake for her self,

 

Sunday 8

Brother Henry dined with us; Aunt H came down after dinner to spend some time; Mrs Hascl also came but left soon

 

Monday 9th

Made a bonnet for Jessie; Commenced, a boosom for Tommy; took a walk; slept up stairs

 

Tuesday 10

Sewed on bosom; helped mind the children

 

Wednesday 11

Finished my work; walked and read; helped with dinner

 

Thursday 12

Hemmed some handkerchiefs; Stiched collar and wristbands for a shirt; walked out

 

Friday 13th

Sewed on a needle book; read in the evening

 

Saturday 14th

Did up some frills, in the morning, read aloud; Aunt H went home after dinner; spent a pleasant week; Mr & Mrs H came for her; she was very sick

 

Sunday 15

Went to the village with Father; quite cold; Grandmother came home with us; Aunt E sick; dined with Uncle T; Tommy sent a bundle home with preasants for all

 

Monday 17

Helped Grandmother with her dress; too[k] a walk down to Mrs Turners; rained; walked home

 

Tuesday 18

Finished the dress; made a Shirt boosom for Tommy; went to Mrs Thompsons; paid a pleasant visit

 

How pleasantly my hours pass.  Do I improve them or not; do I waste my time, for I ought to remember that it was given me to improve and my advantages have been great but I have not been

 

[written on inside back cover:]

 

Lonys birthday = 13 of March

Sarah birthday - 5 of Feb

Miss Jessie - 21s May