This is a transcription of the Diary of Mary
Elizabeth Churchill, a daughter of Orville Sylvester Churchill
and Sarah M. Van Auken. Mary was born 20 February 1843 in
Streetsboro OH, married 13 Aug 1866 to Abram Harrison Stafford in
Chardon OH, and died 24 Jan
1926 in Painesville OH.
Michael Harrison Stafford
A great grandson
November 14, 1993
Friday, January 1, 1864
This day is very cold & windy. Haven't been anywhere.
Mr.Grant and Stafford called here. Wrote to my A.H Stafford. Knit
a little. Haven't done much except make fires & try to keep
warm besides the house work.
Saturday, January 2, 1864
Last night I think was the coldest night I ever saw. Milk froze
so did lampoil. Today is colder than yesterday and as windy.
Baked bread - knit little - made little tatting. Jerry came over
for sour milk. P.M. is warmer & quite still.
Sunday, January 3, 1864
Still quite cold but not near as cold as yesterday. Did not go to
church. Charles went home - Stafford came here in evening -
brought a roast of pork - 7 lbs. In evening I read Sabbath
school book.
Monday, January 4, 1864
Have washed. (Pached) Charleses pants. Elder Jayne brought Emma
home gave the children some candy toys. Gave him a pound of
candles - have read the book title. Harriet & Ellen Mrs.
Stafford came - pounded cinnamon.
Tuesday, January 5, 1864
Keended calico dress. Sarah did not got to school. Melissa was
here to tea. Father & Mother came home - brought some candy
toys for children - gave me a ruffle - Sarah handkerchip. Mother
is nearly sick.
Wednesday, January 6, 1864
Have mended hoops, baked bread & helped around the house.
Work is still cold - has snowed little. Mother has toothache and
headache.
Thursday, January 7, 1864
Commenced making cloak. Went to town. Sat for photograph. Also
Mother - she had all her teeth out on upper jaw. Tonight is the
mite at Mrs. Bushnells - Ma bought some cups & saucers &
plates.
Friday, January 8, 1864
Have got my cloak ready to stich - baked bread. Aunt Martha &
Ira were here - also Mrs. Grant. Knit some tatting.
Saturday, January 9, 1864
Sewed some. Went to town. Got cloak stiched - bought trimming for
it. Received a letter from my A. H. S. Called at Mr. Shaws - went
to Hurlburts to see out photographs - is still cold - finished
cloak.
Sunday, January 10, 1864
Have not been to Church - today is very cold. Wrote to my soldier
boy & to Aunt Mary Van auken. Mother & Father went down
to see old Mrs Allen is failing.
Monday, January 11, 1864
Have washed. Finished Mothers wollen dress. Children went to
Arithmetic School. Mr. Stafford came - brought a letter for me to
read & to hear one. It is a little warmer today.
Tuesday, January 12, 1864
Have made pair of everyday drawers. Mother went with Mrs Grant
down Mrs. Allens. Barcooley came here. Father borrowed 65 cents
of me - it is still cold, yet a little milder. Protradid meeting
commenced sunday in town.
Wednesday, January 13, 1864
Went to town. Mother sat for negative photographs. Sarah & I
also took dinner at Mr. Pudels(?) - made a visit to Mrs. Bates -
bought bar soap - attended meeting. Protracted Miss Fish was
forward for progres. Thaws some.
Thursday, January 14, 1864
Baked some Mrs. Bowles Shattuck & Mrs. Grant were here
visiting. Melisa came here to stay all night. Mr. Wilber staid
here is pedling patent lamp burners. Have made little tatting -
knit little - also warmer - snows little.
Friday, January 15, 1864
Have been sewing. Was snowing nearly all day. Went to town to
meeting. Called at Elder Jaynes. Mother sent of two pictures. I
brought one home of mine. Received a letter from Mary & Day.
Saturday, January 16, 1864
We have put on an old bed quilt for Sarah & quilted it off.
Emma went down to Mr. Grays - Cynthia & Viola to Mr. Allens.
Mother wrote to Uncle Charles. I to Abram H. Stafford. There a
good night.
Sunday, January 17, 1864
Attended Church. Elder Jayne preached his last farewell sermon.
Text ....... Chap 28th Verse. Attended Methodist meeting - staid
into class meeting. Slept with Pheba Ann Chandler.
Monday, January 18, 1864
Brothers Parsons & Clark called sis Bider & ...... here
to tea in evening. Some of church were ladies presented. Mr.
Jayne - an Alburn Gentleman - presented Elder $10. I got all my
pictures except one. Called to Mr. Shaws. Received letter from
A.H.S. Has snowed all day & night.
Tuesday, January 19, 1864
Have packed three trunks. Mr. Crowning Shields folk staid last
night - went home this morning. Snow is drifted bad & has
snowed all day. Have not done much. Elder got his horse down in
a drift. Had one mail.
Wednesday, January 20, 1864
Have been packing away things. D. Huntington has been here. Also
Anna Canfield & Adela Munsil. Father came to town. Father
came to town. Mrs. Jayne is making out a report. Elder has gone
to prair meeting. I have been reading. Its pleasant & not
vary cold.
Thursday, January 21, 1864
Went to Hurlbutts Gallery with Mattie. Took tacks out of carpets
& packed up some other things. The men came to move E. Jaynes
things - were since Mon. evening had to brake their own roads.
Friday, January 22, 1864
Elders folks packed up their things & the men started. Went
to Mr. Riders to wash & change. Started for home. We met our
folks. Stopt to Mes. Osborns - spent the evening. Samons people
were there. Is quite warm & is thawing some.
Saturday, January 23, 1864
Elders folks called few moment. S.(?) Clark called to have me go
home with him to work. Went to Deacon Huntingtons in evening.
Martha, Adda, & Betsy were there. Finished pair of drawers -
made an apron - mended calico dress - is thawing.
Sunday, January 24, 1864
Been to Church. E. Jayne preached from Rev 6.17. Did not get in
time for Sabbath School. Wrote to A. H. Stafford - also to M. E.
Day. Shall send photograph. Sleighing is nearly gone. Read letter
from E. Hosford.
Monday, January 25, 1864
We have washed. Mrs. Bushnell had a word her Mother & went
there a visiting. Finished knitting Roasleaf tatting - finished a
stocking - sowed some on a pine shinning - learned Laurie how
to make head dress.
Tuesday, January 26, 1864
Been down to Mr. Stafford a visiting (Mother, Lilian & I). I
opened a letter of Mrs. Sams. Commenced a pair of sock for Abram.
Set up stocking for myself. Saw Abrams black ring.
Received a letter from Abram.
Wednesday, January 27, 1864
Went over to Uncle Iras. Eavner & Whipletries broke in deap
snow. Saw Mary Ann. Came home a foot. Father went to mill -
carried Mrs. Sams letter to her. Called to Mr. Staffords - read
my letters to them.
Thursday, January 28, 1864
Staid at home all day - Been sewing on Shimmure(?). It is warm
& quite muddy. The snow is nearly all gone.
Friday, January 29, 1864
Have twisted yarn all the forenoon. In afternoon Ma & I went
to Mr. Grants. Father came up in evening. Saw preserved &
polis likenesses. Ann came in the afternoon.
Saturday, January 30, 1864
Have twisted some. Sarah & I went down to Mr. Allens. Fannie
is quite unwell. Mr. A. about the same. It rained so we had to
stay all night.
Sunday, January 31, 1864
Have not been to Church - is very muddy - came this morning from
Mr. Allens. Have written to my A. H. Stafford, cousin Will, &
Aunt Eunice Russil. Is raining this evening. Washed Supper
dishes - read very little.
Monday, February 1, 1864
Have been sewing. Sent my photograph to my soldier boy. Charly
Hosford called. Hubberd Churchill is at work here. Mr.Grant
called.
Tuesday, February 2, 1864
Have baked pies & cakes - sowed some. Maria, Hannah &
Frank were here. Chester Clough called. Mary Shattuck, Teacher,
is staying here. Mary brought home some pork. Have a dreadful
head ache.
Wednesday, February 3, 1864
Have sewed some - twisted yarn all forenoon. Was not very well.
H. Churchill is here at work. Mother called on Yeruiah Cooly
& Alfina Webb.
Thursday, February 4, 1864
Lucy Knapp called here. Have washed & mopped. Made Gusty? a
visit & Mary Bushnell, Sophia Webster & Sara? Gray called
here. Emma & I went to M. Shatsto? to the noiti? - got $1.50
Amr?
knitting tatting. Received a letter from A. H. Staff.
Friday, February 5, 1864
Mother went down to Mr. Allens. They are better - a little. I
have been making tatting - have finished five Shimme. One that is
trimed with tatting. Adelia came after some for Yeruiah.
Saturday, February 6, 1864
Commenced blue Garibaldi. Sarah & Emma went down to Mr. Grays
a visiting. In evening Emma called on Augusta.
Sunday, February 7, 1864
Have written to Uncle Daniel & to A. H. Stafford. Uncles Ira
& Moses are here. Father & Mer have been. Grandpas Aunt
Sally is better. Em went down to Mr. Allens. Fannie is better.
Is still pleasant and not very cold.
Monday, February 8, 1864
Have washed. Have finished my Garibaldi blue. Clarie Ryder was
here to tea. There was an Arithmetic school. Sarah did not go. It
is snowing & very windy.
Tuesday, February 9, 1964
Have commenced making my calico dress - am making Garibaldi
waist. Received letter from Will. Alaena is here to stay all
night. Has stormed by spells all day - snow is quite deep.
Wednesday, February 10. 1864
Have been sewing on my dress. Called on Augusta. Went down to Mr.
Grays, Mother & I. Mr. Grays folks had gone to Mayfield. Is
quite windy - midling good sleighing. Has a good visit.
Thursday, February 11, 1864
Went to Town. Bought some postage stamps & spool thread. Mr.
Days folks came here. May sat for photographs. I received a
letter from my A. H. S. Is thawing some & very windy.
Friday, February 12, 1864
Mother is sick. Clark & Diana Yown came here - also Mr. White
& little boy. Is thawing. Patty Stafford was here to tea. I
wrote their names on cards for them. Went up to Mr. Osborns in
evening to a sing. Had dreadful head ache.
Saturday, February 13, 1864
Mrs. Grant called here. Emma went to town with them. Is an
auction sail at Warners. Have finished Calico dress. Knit little
in evening - do not feel very well. Ma is some better today.
Sunday, February 14, 1864
Is pleasant. Have not been to Church. Wrote to Abram H. Stafford.
Mother is some better.
Monday, February 15, 1864
I have washed. Frank Eaten called here. Mother & I have
dressed Loilies doll. Is cold but pleasant & some windy.
Tuesday, February 16, 1864
Is very windy & is snowing. Mr. Stafford (Reuben) called
here. I sent a letter up by him. Knit some tatting inserting.
Finished my soldiers socks.
Wednesday, February 17, 1864
Have been sewing. Finished off my socks running heels. It is very
stormy & blustry.
Thursday, February 18, 1864
Have sewed some. Called on Augusta. Mother & Mrs. Grant went
to Mr. Wescotts a visiting in forenoon. Afternoon all went to
school - was last day. Got a card. In evening went to mite -
Climena Gray was there.
Friday, February 19, 1864
Emma & Cynthia went to Uncle Ira's. Mother & I went up to
Mr. Cowlses. Mrs. Clark was there. Had an exhibition over in
Hosfords district. Emma went. I received a letter from my Soldier
boy. Is cold & very windy.
Saturday, February 20, 1864
Father, Mother & Sarah went to town. I staid at home - am not
very well. Mrs. Hosford took dinner here. Tried to sew a little.
Cynthia got dinner. Mrs. Phipps & Smith called. Sarah got her
likeness taken. Is cold. Yet am 21 years old. Wrote to Mrs.
Jayne.
Sunday, February 21, 1864
We went to Church at Chester. Elder Hurlbutt preached had an
excellent meeting. Emma went over to Aunt Mary's today - went on
horse back. Texts today were - "You must be born again"
& "
It is a vane thing to serve the Lord". Received letter from
Aunt Eunice. Have wrote to A.H.S.
Monday, February 22, 1864
Mother & I went over to Uncle Ira's. Came home found Uncle
Moses' family & Emma. Father came after us. Nick is home.
Called on Mrs. Stafford - read my letter to her. Read some in
the Saints abode. Brought two books home.
Tuesday, February 23, 1864
Is pleasant. Have finished been sewing on some cotton cloth. Do
not feel very well. Emma is nearly sick with a stiff neck. Sara
& Ola went up to Mr. Grant's - got some sour milk.
Wednesday, February 24, 1864
I have washed. Mother went up to town. Sarah went up & staid
with Charly Wyman. I have sewed a very little. Is pleasant but
very muddy.
Thursday, February 25, 1864
We have made soap. Jery was here at work. I finished my chimnae.
Put binding on fine drawers. Is pleasant. Received letter from my
Abram dear with some poetry in it.
Friday, February 26, 1864
Have darned some stockings. Sewed tatting on fine drawers. Run
heals to fine stockings. Gathered & sewed on dress skirts for
Mother. Bill Cooley was here at work. Kathy (or Maltby) came here
in evening.
Saturday, February 27, 1864
Have done up the morning work. Baked bread & sewed some - got
dinner. Mother called on Yeruiah. Emma went to Mr. Jewels to
work. Jery was here to dinner. Sarah is some better.
Sunday, February 28, 1864
Have been to town to Church & Sabbath school scholars were
all glad to see me. Father & Mother went over to Uncle Moses.
Seinas came home with them. Have written to my A.H.S. Rained some
- thawed all day - cold wind.
Monday, February 29, 1864
I have washed. Put new sleeves in shimnae. Went & got papers
to A. J. Coolys. Laurrie came there while I was there. She
brought Augusta's Cameo pin to her which was lost. Ma went
to Grant's. Is cold & frozen.
Tuesday, March 1, 1864
I have ironed & made pair of tops to drawers. Our barn all in
it was burnt up. Was set on fire. It was all burnt down before
one oclock in the morning. Is cold.
Wednesday, March 2, 1864
Have not done scarcely anything. A great many have been here. Sam
Churchill & wife were here in evening. Received letter from
my dear Soldier. I have helped carry water to put out fire.
Thursday, March 3, 1864
Have peaced (pieced) up an old quilt - was red and lite colard
(colored). Ellen called. Martha, Lourie & a number (of)
others. Sylvester & Grandfather & Uncle ........ feel
pretty weak & bad - are all nearly sick. Father worked at Mr.
Cowlses(?).
Friday, March 4, 1864
Have peaced out lining to quilt. Mrs. Coman called here. Mrs.
Grant came a visiting. Mother and I called on Yeruiah. I went
home with her - staid all night. Mr. Osborn is nearly sick with a
cold. Am footing a pair of stockings.
Saturday, March 5, 1864
Feel weak & tired. Helped Martha do up morning wash. Made
beds upstairs. Knit on stocking which I am pating(?). Read some
in evening. Staid at Mr. Osborns all night. It snowed nearly
all day - rained in morning.
Sunday, March 6, 1864
Wrote to my A.H.S. I am at Mr. Osborns. Made up boys bed. Read
some. Did not go to church. Dayton Maxwell came there - is a
going to Cleveland tomorrow. Came home with Mr. Grant. He was
with Culter. Is warm & dreadful going - is not froze(?).
Monday, March 7, 1864
I have helped wash. Sent off letter. Riped up skirt & am
turning it upside down. Father has been off & hunted up some
sap buckets. Got 50 of Mr. Bester & going to get 50 of Mr.
Sage.
Frank called.
Tuesday, March 8, 1864
We have washed buckets. Ransom Sage brought theirs. Father has
been taping bush. Mother & I went over to Ellens. Mils Manly
was there. I have sewed some - crochet some on net & knit
some.
Wednesday, March 9, 1864
I went down in shugar bush in morning. Mother came home from
Ellens & then came down. I came up at noon - made loaf cake.
Mrs. Grant came here. I went back to bush in afternoon.
/syryoed iff - am pretty tired.
Thursday, March 10, 1864
I have shugared off about 20 lbs - served some. Mrs. Stafford
called. Mr. Stafford sent socks to my A.H.S. I received a letter
from him. Mr. Warren came here. I am going there to work ... has
rained nearly all day.
Friday, March 11, 1864
We have done off another batch of shugar. I have been fixing over
the dress I got of Martha - am making over the sleaves. Uncle Ira
has been here. Father has been to Town - got
Sarah some medison.
Saturday, March 12, 1864
Have finished the dress was making over & put a strip into my
Tichally & put on a binding. Yib boiled the sap in our bush
today. Sam Churchill called to tell Father of a tian.. Chisler.
Sunday, March 13, 1864
Has snowed all day. Have read two of Aunt Martha's books. Wrote
to my dear soldier boy. Commenced to read the old Testament. They
had a new preacher. His name is Striclain -
perhaps they may hire him.
Monday, March 14, 1864
I riped to peaces my lite colard dress (calicoe) - am going to
put in a bredth. Got ready to go to town, but got no chance. A
man came with a horse to sell. Father went to town to see Shaw.
Commenced to ...... pair of stockings.
Tuesday, March 15, 1864
I have helped wash - sewed some - knit some. Father has gone to
Chester to see a team. Mother went up to Mrs. Grants. She gave
her a pair of cotton stockens.
Wednesday, March 16, 1864
Finished fixing lite colard calicoe dress. Uncle Ira, Aunt
Martha, Mary A. West came here. Mary & I called on Augusta.
Yeruiah is no better. We had a boiled dinner. Was very cold &
wind blew hard.
Thursday, March 17, 1864
Have finished Sarahs summer dress - finished footing stocking.
Went to town a foot - had a serious time - got all mud & wet.
Got some paper & envelopes, pens, ink, Buttons & silk.
Mr. Crowningshields folks called.
Friday, March 18, 1864
Have worked on Sarahs dress. Learnt Seavina to knit roseleaf
tating. Have written to my soldier boy. It is cold & stormy -
am quite lame after my walk yesterday.
Saturday, March 19, 1864
Have mended my read (red?) dress - done up my undersleves &
fixed up several other little things. Mr. Clough & wife were
here in evening. Knit some in evening.
Sunday, March 20, 1864
Did not go to church. Father went. Mr. Jewel came home with Emma.
He sent me a shugar cake. He paid Emma 5 dollars in money. Is
snow on the ground - rather cold.
Monday, March 21, 1864
Father & Mother went to Concord to see some horses & to
see about some flax. I made a nite cap & some tatting. It is
very cold. They did not get horse nor flax.
Tuesday, March 22, 1864
Father went to Newberry to see (a) horse & bought one. Paid
$110. Mr. Swift of Wiloughby came here. He is Agt of inshurance
Co. Mrs. Grant sent for me. Put on my quilt & got it off -
was
read & lite colard.
Wednesday, March 23, 1864
Came up to Mr. Grants to help her clean house. Mr. Grant has had
his buildings inshured. Mr. Mayhews people were here. We cleaned
two bedrooms& the butry. Father is having his horse
kept here.
Thursday, March 24, 1864
Have cleaned setting room - blacked stove. Read some in book
title "A Yankee loose in Dixie". Is some warmer - has
thawed a concidrible.
Friday, March 25, 1864
Have white washed kitchen & cleaned most of it. Mrs. Grant
painted sitting room. Father came up here & got some hay - he
eat supper with us.
Saturday, March 26, 1864
Received letter from my A.H. Stafford. Have finished cleaning
cook room. Washed in afternoon & finished reading book
written by a prisoner of war - Rev Mr. Geer. Is quite warm.
Sunday, March 27, 1864
Have come home from Mr. Grants. Wrote to my A.H. Stafford &
to William. Came to Mr. Warren - finished letter to Will since I
came here.
Monday, March 28, 1864
Helped get breakfast done up work - helped sweep chambers - took
up carpet - got dinner & supper & various things. Anna is
sick has got sore throat - is very winey but warm.
Tuesday, March 29, 1864
Got breakfast done up work - washed mullin & calicoe cloths -
done up work after dinner - sowed some on a shirt - knit some in
evening - dressed sauce for breakfast - has rained.
Wednesday, March 30. 1864
Got breakfast done up work - pared apples for sauce - got dinner
& done up work & ironed. Knit some & read little. Got
dinner. Mr Warren & wife went off to a party.
Thursday, March 31, 1864
Have helped do out the washing - was very large. Their carpenter
was here today. Mr. Abe(?) Wrenford & Mr. Heart called in
evening. Done some sewing. Alburt has tooth ache.
Friday, April 1, 1864
Have done ironing. Made hair(?) bed balences - helped about the
work - went up stairs on ladder to make beds. Had introduction to
Mr. Abraham Wrenford. Had some roly pulla(?) pudding for supper -
was pleasant.
Saturday, April 2, 1864
Got breakfast - done up work - moped floors. Made bed balences.
Has rained some. Mr. Martin Haris called. Two gentlemen called in
evening. Mr. Holms was one Mr Warren went to Painesville.
Sunday, April 3, 1864
Got breakfast. Mr. & Mrs. Warren has gone to Mr. Hosfords.
Wrote to my Abram H. Stafford - also to Aunt Eunice Russel. Got
supper & done up work. Is cool today. Tore my calicoe dress.
Albert went to his work tonight.
Monday, April 4, 1864
Have washed - got flannel & calicoe clothes dry - left white
ones in rince. Has rained some. Mr. Ammos Sweet called - staid to
supper - am pretty tired.
Tuesday, April 5, 1864
Got breakfast & helped get dinner. Helped make one pair pants
for Johny. I done some on pair for Ben. Has been cold &
cloudy. Uncle Mason came today.
Wednesday, April 6, 1864
Got breakfast - done ironing. They put some hair under stove to
dry of(f) all the perfumery that was the cap sheaf(?). Got my
plaid dress torn & riped - sewed some - done up work after
supper.
Thursday, April 7, 1864
Have got breakfast done up work - moped floors - got dinner. Mrs.
Long called in evening. Orson Root & Burt came here - ate
filopes with Charles. Sewed some. Has been warm but cloudy.
Friday, April 8, 1864
Received three letters - 2 from my A. H. Stafford - one from Mrs.
Jayne. Mr. Warren has gone to Painesville. Mr. Haris came home.
Pa & Ma called here little while - brought me some of
Sophronias wedding cake. Been at work on carpets.
Saturday, April 9, 1864
Got breakfast - done up work - moped floors - then went to sewing
on carpet. Mrs. Warren got dinner. Have finished carpet for
sitting room. Their carpenter finished. I got supper.
Burt came home. Has rained some & is cool.
Sunday, April 10, 1864
Got breakfast - helped do up work. Went home - found them all
well. Mr. Warrens people went to Mr. Grants - found them gaining.
Was very bad going. Mr. Gould & wife were baptised - I
expect today. Saw Miss Prouty.
Monday, April 11, 1864
Have washed & moped - helped sweep their rooms. Rained in
morning. Finished a sock. Alburt Amus Sweet & Mr. Camp were
here in evening a while - is school meeting evening - am rather
tired tonight.
Pages missing
Monday, April 18, 1864
We cleaned out the chambers - had rather a hard days work. Was
very dusty. Had several calls. Was pleasant. Mr. Warren commenced
ploughing. Have got quite a hard cold in head.
Tuesday, April 19, 1864
I washed flannel & calicoe cloths & white washed parlor
& bedrooms. Mended calicoe dress. Mr. & Mrs. Warren have
gone to party to Phelpses. Charles bought him a snair drum. Burt
came home.
Wednesday, April 20, 1864
Have washed white cloths. Received a letter from Abram & one
from Will. I moped floors & helped clean Mrs. Harises
bedroom. They went to Kirtland. I got paper for their room.
Thursday, April 21, 1864
We have cleaned & scrubhard in Mrs. Harises room & have
prepared her bedroom & bed sink. Burt came home. Mr. Amos
Swett & Charly Root were here in evening. I received a letter
from my
A. H. Stafford.
Friday, April 22, 1864
I got breakfast - done up the work. Helped paper their room &
Benny & I put down the carpet. I done up work after supper.
Am extremely tired. Mr. Haris went to Painsville.
Saturday, April 23, 1864
Got breakfast - done up work - moped parlor & bedrooms &
kitchen bedroom & butry blached stove in sitting room &
put down carpet. Told Mr. Warren to look up another girl. Has
rained.
Sunday, April 24, 1864
Wrote to my A. H. Stafford. Mr. Blood, Burt, Mr E. Warren, Sweet
Brith, Mr. Sweet & wife, H. & P. Hosford, Mrs Warner
& young Tuttle were here today. Mrs Warren went to his
folkses a
little while. Has been pleasant.
Monday, April 25, 1864
Had Harlo & Patience here to breakfast. Have washed. It
rained. Helped pair apples for some boild cider sauce. Trimed
some bordering for the Parlor. Beny helped me. Lucinda came
here tonight.
Tuesday, April 26, 1864
I came home. Mr. Warren paid me six dollars & quarter. Fannie
Allen came down here in the forenoon. We all went down there in
afternoon & quilted on Fannies quilt. Rode up with Mr.
Stafford. Has been cloudy all day.
Wednesday, April 27, 1864
Went to Town a foot. Bought calicoe dress - pair gloves - some
trimming for hat - pair gloves & lock for trunk. Received
letter from my A. H. Stafford. Mr. Stafford called. Is quite
cool.
Thursday, April 28, 1864
Mother, Sarah & I went to Aunt Marthas - then to Aunt Marys.
Staid to dinner. W. Clap & wife were there in afternoon -
went to Mr. Wests. I commenced to make my new Calicoe dress. Is
quite cool.
Friday, April 29, 1864
Have been sowing on dress. Laurie Bushnell came here a visiting.
Her & I called on Mrs. Clark & at Mr. Cowlses. Lovina
& Frank were there. Father is at home puting in their crops.
Is
cool but pleasant.
Saturday, April 30, 1864
Have finished my dress. Mother went to town - got her teeth. She
got some buttons for my dress. Sarah and I went down to Mr.
Staffords to read letter. Has rained some. Father got in wheat.
Sunday, May 1, 1864
Cynthia & I went to church. Rode back with Mrs. Osborns
people - staid & took supper. It rained. Pa & Ma went to
Munson - Aunt is better. I wrote to my Soldier. Had S.S. paper
given
to me.
Monday, May 2, 1864
Father, Mother & I started to go to Panesville & Days
rained & we stoped to Walis Woodrough - staid & took
dinner. It turned to snow. Came home & peased seven blocks
for quilts. Has
stormed nearly all day.
Tuesday, May 3, 1864
It has snowed & rained all day. I mended some & finished
Sarahs summer dress. I cut out some blocks in evening.
Wednesday, May 4, 1864
I helped wash. Mrs. Grant was here in forenoon. Her & Ma went
to Hiles. Sarah & I went to Staffords. I cut & peased
seven blocks. Has been warm & very pleasant. Cut blocks in
evening.
Thursday, May 5, 1864
Helped iron. Amity, Saphronia, Florence, Martha, Mrs Wescott
& Shatluck(?) Turpin, Mr. Cowles & Mr Mitchel have been
here. I cut & peased fourteen blocks. Mother went to Uncle
Iras. Has been pleasant. Baked cakes.
Friday, May 6, 1864
Mother & I washed bed cloths. We washed her Stump quilt. Mr.
Mitchel called again. Mother, Sarah, and I went to Hannahs a
visiting. Mrs. Hubberd Churchill was there. Fannie came to get
white wash brush.
Saturday, May 7, 1864
Cut out blocks for Sarah & some for me. Mrs. Stafford, Mary
Bushnell, Mrs. Wescott, Mr. & Mrs. Crowningshield & Mrs.
Gould, Susanah Florence & Alvena were here to tea. Yeruiah
died about one oclock today. Rained in morning.
Sunday, May 8, 1864
Emma & Jewel came home. Mr. Geo. Wilson came here. Went to
Church. Elder Hurlbutt was there for the first time. Wached(?)
with Zeruiah(?) & her Fannie & myself & Mary
Bushnell.
Monday, May 9, 1864
Went to bed & had a nap. Mrs. Hosford was here to dinner -
also Martha, Mary Cooley & girl. Attended Yeruiahs funeral.
Came to Mr. Osborns - got supper & done up work after.
Tuesday, May 10, 1864
Got breakfast - done up work. Baked pies & bread. Cleaned
ceiling & windows in parlor & bedrooms. Got supper &
done up work. Dressed sauce & made beds. Mr. O got home. Has
rained. School comence.
Wednesday, May 11, 1864
Got breakfast & done up work - clean sitting room, two
cupboards. Got dinner & supper - done up work. Mrs. Osborn
white washed sitting room, Laurie & Mary called. Alona staid
while her mother went to town.
Pages missing.
Wednesday, May 18, 1864
Came to Mr. Coolies - done up work. Ellen & Mary called.
Sarah came to stay & I went to Mr. Jewels. Fitted Emmas dress
- trimed hat & drawers. Has been pleasant. Son - Mr. Otis
Almond
went to Parkman. Am tired tonight.
Thursday, May 19, 1864
Done work - Ironed & riped up her dress & commenced to
repair to repair it. Mary called. Ellen was here a visiting.
Sarah, Ma & Lillie came here. Baked cake.
Friday, May 20, 1864
Have washed some - baked - ironed. Went down to Sam Churchills
& she came up here. Several have called. Ma came to see about
Emma's dress. They have cleaned school house. Is pleasant.
Saturday, May 21, 1864
Baked cookies - moped. Mr. Stafford was here to dinner. Mrs.
Grant & Ma were here this afternoon. Augusta & Adelia
called. Sowed on Rabeckas dress.
Sunday, May 22, 1864
Went home a short time. Emma was there. Had some greens for
dinner. Went to meeting to school house. Wilson preached from 109
Psalm 39 verse. Wrote to my A. H. Stafford. Has been
.....
Monday, May 23, 1864
Washed & baked & moped & hemed shimme. Mrs. Grant
called - brought pail sweet milk - also some ham & cod fish.
Sprinkled little once or twice but did not rain to amount to any
thing.
Tuesday, May 24, 1864
Have ironed & done some sewing. Rebecca has sat up a
concidriable today - has it to the table. Mary Shattuck called.
Rained little this afternoon.
Wednesday, May 25, 1864
Got up at four oclock. Done housework & sowed on shimma. Mary
Shattuck & her Mother came here a visiting. Went oaver home a
few minutes. Munroe Hofen was killed by a shell
Thursday, May 26, 1864
Done little ironing. Carlin Pike called. Mother dressed the baby.
I have cut, sowed, & would carpet rags today. Cooley worked
up to Grants. Fannie called. Has sprinkled little today.
Has been cloudy.
Friday, May 27, 1864
Washed some of the babies cloths & cut carpet rugs. Ellen
called - also some pedler came selling packages. Has been
pleasant & warm.
Saturday, May 28, 1864
Have baked bread & one loaf for A. P. Cooley & moped.
Mrs. Wescott & Sarah were here a visiting. Florence Seilly
& Leon to supper. Has been pleasant but cool.
Sunday, May 29, 1864
Went to Church & Sabbath. Betsy came home with us. I came
over to Cooleys & got supper. Leon was here. Went to Union
prair meeting in evening. Staid at home all night. Rained lite.
Monday, May 30, 1864
Have washed & moped out some carpet rags. Mended old coat. Do
not feel very well. Been pleasant. Nalty called. Cooley cleared
out the chambers.
Tuesday, May 31, 1864
Done house work - ironed very little - cut rags. Cooley went to
Panesville. I went home & got some medison - am feeling
pretty bad - head & stomach aches. Received letter from my A.
H.
Stafford. Has been pleasant.
Wednesday, June 1, 1864
Have ironed, swep chambers & cut rags. Went home little
while. Found Uncle Clark & wife & Aunt Bacon there. Has
rained a concidriable. Im feeling rather better today but neck is
little stiff.
Thursday, June 2, 1864
Nothing of any account has taken place today. Have done some work
& cut rags. Had some mustard greens for dinner - as still
better. Stafford called.
Friday, June 3, 1864
Had Father, Hank, & Tila here to dinner. They were drawing
lumber. Mr. Grant called. Has been pleasant & warm. Sarah
went to Parkman.
Saturday, June 4, 1864
Have cleaned butry & baked bread - moped & cut large ball
of carpet rags - finished - washed & ironed little. Viola
Seillie(?) & Ma called.
Sunday, June 5, 1864
Went home got ready for Church. Went in our carriage for the
first time. Hurlbutt preached in forenoon - Father Eddie in
afternoon. Wrote to my soldier boy. Has been pleasant & warm.
Came over at night.
Monday, June 6, 1864
Have washed a very large washing - sowed on babies skirt. Leon
called - Coolie called. Went to town. Sprinkled little but did
not rain. Is cold tonight.
Tuesday, June 7, 1864
Have ironed. Gathered greens for dinner. Teacher called to see
baby. Baked bread for Leon. Sewed edging on skirt. Washed little
- moped. Mr. & Mrs. Grant called. Attended meeting at
school house.
Wednesday, June 8, 1864
Went to the Association - Had preaching in the morning for John
21 15.16.17 - Had dinner at Town hall - transacted business after
noon & adjourned. Next is to be held at Royalton. Was
pleasant. Mr. Norton & wife came here.
Thursday, June 9, 1864
Have fed sheller for Father to shel corn. Elder Jayne & wife
called. Adelia was here. We went over to Brother Crowning sheilds
in evening. Martha came home with us. Elder Jayne &
folks were there. Has been pleasant.
Friday, June 10, 1864
Have ironed. Father & Mother went to Panesville. Ma bought
her dress - also Cynthia. Viola Coolie gave a pair of leather
shoe strings. Laid down & took a nap. Emma went to town. Has
been cool but pleasant.
Saturday, June 11, 1864
We started for Parkman. Took dinner at Bro. Baids. Came on to
Pollies - took supper & staid all night. Father & mother
went to Clarks. Today was pleasant. Rarie & Mary Town called
to Pollies.
Sunday, June 12, 1864
Ate breakfast at Pollies. Then went to Clarks. Mr. Owens &
wife came there. Mothers side pained her dreadfuly. I doctred her
up. Clark went & got some linmanent for her. We came home.
Was pleasant but cool. Received letter from my A. H. Stafford.
Monday, June 13, 1864
Have cleaned up things we wore to Parkman. Straitned out butry
some & helped about house work. Made skirt for Lilly. Wrote
to my A.H.S. Will, Mrs Gray Shattluck & Hafers(?) &
Adelia
called. Is pleasant. Brought little matter to wash with.
Tuesday, June 14, 1864
Have washed & peased ten blocks & Sarah 7. I went up to
Eds a little while. They had company - The Mrs Cowles - also Mrs
Day & child. Has been pleasant. Ma is getting better.
Wednesday, June 15, 1864
Helped iron. Went up to Mrs. Grants to fix over her silk dress -
did not quite finish it. Had it to rip off from waist point to
fix & skirt to gather & sew on. Has been pleasant &
very warm.
Thursday, June 16, 1864
Have finished silk dress & fixed another. Mother came up
there - came home about four o clock. Mrs. Grant made me a
present of 40 cts. Pleated Cynthias skirt & sowed it on.
Received a letter from my A. H. Stafford.
Friday, June 17, 1864
Helped pick guce - tucked dress for Cynthia. Went to Panesville.
Bought shawl $3 - hoop skirt $1.26 - tatting shuffle 12 cts -
collar 50 cts. Pen knife 40 cts. Was pleasant & extremely
warm.
Saturday, June 18, 1864
Have done house work. Scourd the flore - done little mending.
Mrs. Stafford called. Teacher was here to tea. Emma went to town.
Mr. Bourn & wife came. It sprinkled very little.
Sunday, June 19, 1864
Our company & Ma went over to Uncle Iras. We went to Church.
Had a splendid shour about noon. Came home at noon. Had another
shour (shower) before night. Wrote to my A. H.
Stafford. Went to wedding at church. Mrs. Bassett? was married at
Desiple Church.
Monday, June 20, 1864
Have mended hoops and several other things. Mr. Rust called to
get a hired girl. Celestria was here in afternoon. Marion Carver
called. They went to the circus. Has been warm & very dry.
Tuesday, June 21, 1864
Have helped wash - baked & we have borchered (butchered) an
old hog. Hank had 16 lbs - Stafford 7 & Allen 8 - Mary
Shattuck 5 3/4 & Cowles 12 lbs & Coolie 6 lbs 10 Oz -
Chase 9 1/2 lbs. Has been warm.
Wednesday, June 22, 1864
Baked pies. Mrs. Bruonridge was here in forenoon. Ma & her
went to Marions. Fannie here after noon & Teacher to tea
& staid. Turpin called.
Thursday, June 23, 1864
Ironed coars cloths. Teacher here to dinner. Cut out some blocks
for Sarah & self. Went to town, Teacher staid - bought some
medison. Has been extremely warm.
Friday, June 24, 1864
Have peased a block & sowed on Pas shirt. Mother, Sarah &
I went to Sages. Ranson was sick. Carried sap buckets - prepared
syrup for cough.
Saturday, June 25, 1864
Helped clean cellar & done the fine ironing. Done up my
garibaldi - sewed little. Father, Mother, & Sarah have gone
to Munson. Emman to town. Milked both cows. Is warm and pleasant.
Sunday, June 26, 1864
Helped about work. Went to meeting - was Methodist quarterly
meeting at our church. Had sabbath school & made some
arrangements for celebration - the 9th June meeting in Mentor.
Wrote to A. H. Stafford.
Monday, June 27, 1864
Washed out white cloths & made soap - baked & took up
pork & scalded it & put on new brine & tried up some
of the pork.
Tuesday, June 28, 1864
Finished the washing. Mother & I went up to Mr. Cowles.
Ellen, Adelia & Martha Eldrage was there. Laurie Teacher
& Lovinna called there. Received letter from my A. H. S. Is
cool.
Wednesday, June 29, 1864
I have ironed & knit some - mended little. Mrs. Grant called
to go to Marias. Ma got out Mrs. Comans peas of linnen. I went up
to Cowles a little while. Melinda Baker died.
Thursday, June 30, 1864
Have done up work after breakfast - baked pies - bound my fan -
spooled some. Mother has set out some cabbage plants &
tomatoes. Has been cloudy. They brought Melinda home.
This diary has been donated to the Geauga County Ohio USGenWeb project by Mike Stafford . Copyright 2000 by Mike Stafford and Alice Allen.
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