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
December 28, 1993
Friday, July 1, 1864
Attended Melinda Bakers funeral. It rained. Went up to town -
called on Betsy & Adeline. Went to get Rosell - did not get
any.
Saturday, July 2, 1864
Was fixing childrens things to wear to celebration. Made a white
bo (bow) to wear. Emma came home to spend the 4th. Leucius
Chandler brought her home.
Sunday, July 3, 1864
Standly Wade called to see about hiring a girl. Emma went to
church with him. Had good meeting & sabbath school. Saw
Lizzie(?) Wood short time. Wrote to my A. H. Stafford.
Monday, July 4, 1864
Helped about work. Went up to town. Got ring at P. Allens - Also
got rosett of Betsy. Went to Hambden to Celebration. Saw Sophia
Stackhouse & Elner Mc O. Had nice day & time. Emma went
with Stanly.
Tuesday, July 5, 1864
Fixed linen dress for Emma. Helped about getting in peas. Emma
went back to Clarks. I went down to Allens to get & to read.
Has been warm & pleasant. Father sold place to Huff.
Wednesday, July 6, 1864
Washed & sewed some. Pa & Ma went up to town to draw
writings on place - which was sold yesterday, but Heoff backed
off. They came back by Uncle Ira's. Has been pleasant. Went to
Allens to borrow read. Came down to Mr. Wells just at night.
Thursday, July 7, 1864
Have finished Emmas shimme, ironed. Tin pedler came. Bought two
round tins, two pint of basens - one three __. Mrs Stafford
called - brought paper with letter from 103 rd - __ got in her
peas (piece) of linnen ???????.
Friday, July 8, 1864
Helped get breakfast - done up the work - made beds - swept house
- ironed cloths - moped & done all the house work - sowed
some on pair of drawers for Ida. Just commenced work at Mr.
Wells today.
Saturday, July 9, 1864
Done the house work - ironed the starched cloths - mended a shirt
for Standly - moped, swept chambers. Mrs Wells & I went out
in the orchard & also to pick some raspberries to eat. Was
pleasant.
Sunday, July 10, 1864
Helped get breakfast & do up work. Got ready for church - did
not go. Wrote to my soldier boy. Received letter from Will.
Munroe Hafens funeral sermon was preached. Rained very hard also
thundered hard.
Monday, July 11, 1864
Got breakfast done up work. Washed large washing. Mrs. Wells got
dinner & done up work. I got supper & done up work. Tore
dress & mended it. Has been pleasant & warm.
Tuesday, July 12, 1864
Done house work - baked pies & helped clean parlor - churned.
Mr. & Mrs. Wells went to Panesville after tea. Ida &
Fannie came home with them.
Wednesday, July 13, 1864
Done the house work & ironed - mended dress, Miss Criswold
(Griswold?) called. Mrs Wells went to Center afternoon. Has been
pleasant.
Thursday, July 14, 1864
Nothing of any importance has taken place. Got work done up this
forenoon so as to sit down & sew some. Had some beets for
dinner & raspberry shortcake for supper.
Friday, July 15, 1864
Got up - found they had company come after I had gone to bed. Got
breakfast for Mr. Basset & Martin Del. Baked pies - sowed
little. Standly, Merit, & Fannie went to town. The two Miss
Crawfords called - also Mr. Clough.
Saturday, July 16, 1864
Mrs. Wells went down to Panesville after the Grist. We baked
bread & cookies. I done all the house work & sowed
little. Had a short cake. Received a letter from my A. H.
Stafford. Has
been very warm.
Sunday, July 17, 1864
I attended church at the Methodist house - saw three children
sprinkled. Elder Brown was pastor. Attended Mrs. Fays funeral -
Elder Clapp preached. Wrote to my soldier boy. Was pleasant.
Monday, July 18, 1864
Got breakfast. Washed a very large washing & moped all the
stoop floors & also the rest & got supper & done up
work. Mrs. Wells baked pies & cookies.
Tuesday, July 19, 1864
Have baked bread & ironed all the cloths except the starched
cloths & done all the house work. Had some string beans for
dinner & mutton. Has been extremely warm.
Wednesday, July 20, 1864
Have done all the house work & ironed the starched cloths.
Had some string bean for dinner. Mrs. Prouty called. Mr &
Mrs. Wells went to Panesville. Has been some cooler than it has
been.
Thursday, July 21, 1864
Went up to the Center - called at Mrs. Justices & also at Mr.
Clinton Nowlins & went to the store. I bought some writing
paper, envelops & pens. Saw a drunkard fall off his buggy.
Friday, July 22, 1864
Have baked bread & moped & done al the house work. Mr.
& Mrs. Justis, Dr. Stibbins & wife & child were here
a visiting. Mrs. Dahla? Blish called.
Saturday, July 23, 1864
Have done all the housework. Baked pies, churned, moped &
sowed little. Mrs. Wells has made gingham shirt for Mr. Wells.
Has been cool.
Sunday, July 24, 1864
Got the breakfast - then got read & went home. Went to
church. Hurlbut preached from John 8, 26? & psalms 113, 151.
Viola & Seillie had the hooping cough. Was very warm.
Monday, July 25, 1864
I got breakfast & done up work - done washing & done up
work after dinner. Moped, sowed little. It rained all the
afternoon & very hard. Wrote to my Soldier boy.
Tuesday, July 26, 1864
Have hung our cloths today, baked bread, moped, sowed some,
sprinkled cloths. Had some green corn for dinner. Miss. Griswold
called - also Mr. & Mrs Wrexford. Has been very pleasant.
Bought 8 postage stamps.
Wednesday, July 27, 1864
Have done all the house work - ironed. Mr. & Mrs. Wells went
down town. She bought cloth for me am? apron. 2 1/4 yds - 67 cts.
Miss Dilla? & Mrs. Hodges called.
Thursday, July 28, 1864
Baked bread. Mrs. Crawford called to go with Mrs. Wells to Mr.
Hodges. Was extremely warm. Run a tuck in Idas dress.
Friday, July 29, 1864
I have done all the work. Got conciderable time to sit down. Was
sewing on Idas dress. Standly & I called on the Misses
Crawford. Mrs Wells went to Adithars? with Mrs. Proutie?.
Saturday, July 30, 1864
Have baked bread, churned, moped, swep chambers. Has been
extremely warm. Mr. Merrill was here to dinner & supper.
Sunday, July 31, 1864
Went to church. Elder Wilson preached from 84th Psalm. Has been
extremely warm. Wrote to my A.H.S. Mr. & Mrs. Wrexford &
Abbot called. Standly went out for a ride.
Monday, August 1, 1864
Have washed - got breakfast - done up work first. Mr. Wells went
to Panesville. Lent Mrs. Wells 80 cts. It rained in afternoon
very hard.
Tuesday, August 2, 1864
Have done ironing - the house work besides. Old Mr. Wells started
for the west. Has rained all day. Baked bread & biscuits -
dressed two chickens. Am extremely tired tonight.
Wednesday, August 3, 1864
Have been alone all day. They went to the Mountain to a picnic. I
made a pair of shirt sleves & hemed the body to it. Besides
the house work - called to Mr. Prouties. Paid for postage.
Received letter from A. H. Stafford.
Thursday, August 4, 1864
Have finished the ironing. Mrs. Wells went to Panesville. Mr.
& Mrs. Meril & Mrs. Suly (their daughter) were here for
dinner. Mrs. Justis & Smith called. Ida. Meriel & I went
a black berrying - got 2 1/2 qts. Partly made a bed spread.
Friday, August 5, 1864
We have baked bread, biscuit, cake, & pies. I moped - sowed
some on the spread - commenced my apron - dressed two chickens.
Mr. Reynolds & Griswold called. Has been pleasant.
Saturday, August 6, 1864
Got up quite early & helped them off to the Lake to a picnic.
I did not go. Finished my apron, mended some, commenced a sheet,
swep chambers, went to orchard. Mr. Hodges was here to
supper. Wrote to Will. Has been pleasant.
Sunday, August 7, 1864
Have not been to Church today. Wrote to Mrs Jayne, William &
Abram. Have done all the work. Read some. Has been warm &
smoky. Stanly went to Chardon. Charles Wade came here.
Monday, August 8, 1864
Got up at five. Got breakfast, washed dishes, done washing &
done up work after dinner. Hemed Stanlys handkerchief. Read some
Stanly has gone home from Chardon.
Tuesday, August 9, 1864
Have ironed nearly all the cloths - sewed some on the sheat. Mr.
Wells brought me one of Mrs. Sams letters. A Cleveland gent
called. Mrs. Prouty called. Has been extremely warm.
Wednesday, August 10, 1864
Have baked bread & pies. Mrs. Wells went a black berrying.
Had a short cake for tea. Sowed little. They went downtown.
Thursday, August 11, 1864
Have had a good deal to do today. Baked pies, moped, boiled up
some clothes & put them out. Commenced to pease a bed quilt.
Peased one block. Mr. Wells went to Cleveland. I helped churn
& took care of the butter.
Friday, August 12, 1864
Have ironed the fine cloth - cut out some blocks - went to the
orchard & got some apples - dug pail of potatoes. Mrs. Wells
made Freddie coat & went to Panesville. I got two letters
from
my A. H. Stafford.
Saturday, August 13, 1864
Mr. & Mrs. Wells & Freddie went to Chagrin Falls. I have
baked pies & bread - put down some picles - moped mended some
& swep the whole house & peased one block. Has been
extremely
warm.
Sunday, August 14, 1864
Have not been to Church today. Wrote to my Soldier boy. Went up
to Mr. Warrens a little while. Mr. & Mrs. Wells got home.
Monday, August 15, 1864
Have washed out some blocks - dressed two chicken. Received
letter from Mary Day with photograph. Am very tired.
Tuesday, August 16, 1864
Mrs. Wells went to the carding machine. I ironed a very large
ironing & got dinner for workfolk. Charly Wade is here &
Herman Martindel came.
Wednesday, August 17, 1864
Nothing of very much importance has taken place. I have baked
bread, pies, & cakes - dressed three chickens - expected
company. Mr. Wells Sister - they did not come.
Thursday, August 18, 1864
Have done a conciderible work today. Mrs Wells went to Mr.
Sawiers a visiting. Our company came tonight. Stanly went to
Chardon to enlist. Griswold brought over a turkey.
Friday, August 19, 1864
I have baked bread pies & cake - also we bake a turkey. Mrs.
Wells went to the Mountain with Mr. & Mrs.Kendel. Rained a
very little. Stanly came to settle off. Ironed a very little.
Saturday, August 20, 1864
Has rained a concidriable today & all night, last night. Have
been pretty busy today. The men have been to circus. Miss
Griswold was here to dinner. Had some new cider to drink.
Sunday, August 21, 1864
I have been home. Mrs. Wells took me & Ida up. Went to
sabbath school. Saw John Allen. Wrote to my Abram H. Stafford.
Monday, August 22, 1864
Did up wash today. Mr. & Mrs. Kendle started on their
journey. Mike came here at noon. Father called here a few
moments. Has been cool. Received letter from Corporal Stafford.
Tuesday, August 23, 1864
I have washed - had to draw the water up with a pail to wrince
the cloths. Mr. Wells marked his sheep. Griswold called in
evening. Is still smokey & unsettled weather.
Wednesday, August 24, 1864
Have done a part of the Ironing. Ma came here. Afternoon has been
very warm. Mr. McArthur died with consumption.
Thursday, August 25, 1864
Have finished the Ironing. Stanly came home - is staying here
tonight - also his companion, Tomy. Aloira Griswold was here to
tea - also Peat Lilly. Mr. Wells went to Cleveland.
Friday, August 26, 1864
Have been pretty busy but have not accomplished very much. Had
three here to breakfast - beside our own folk. Mrs. Wells went to
Mill. Pa just called. Mr. Wells sold a colt. Stanly left 275 dol
with Mrs. Wells.
Saturday, August 27, 1864
Have turned up calicoe dress. Mike went to wedding. Mr. Camp came
& got tile(?). Pa called - came home with him. Rained before
we got home some.
Sunday, August 28, 1864
Went to the school house to meeting. Elder Woodard preached. Is
very cool. Wrote to my dear Soldier boy. Ma & I went down to
Mr. Staffords a little while.
Tuesday, August 30, 1864
I washed - had large washing - was nearly all day. Aloira Grisold
called - brought some pears.
Wednesday, August 31, 1864
Have done house work & Ironed. Mrs. Proute was here to tea.
Went up in corn house for apples to bake.
Friday, September 2, 1864
Have baked bread, pumpkin pies, & cake. Mrs. Wrexford &
Mr. Wills were here a visiting. Have been very busy. Mr. Wrexford
was here to tea. Rained a very little.
Saturday, September 3, 1864
Have done a little of every thing today. Stanly was here a little
while. Mr. Wells went to Panesvill - bought 8 postage stamps.
There was an Universal meeting on the Mountain.
Sunday, September 4, 1864
Went up to Mountain to meeting - saw good many from town &
Frank Metcalf a Gentleman & Sadie came home with us to
dinner. I wrote to my Soldier. Has rained.
Monday, September 5, 1864
I have washed - spred a part of the cloths on the grass. Has
rained all day. Pa called. Received a letter from Mrs. Jayne.
Tuesday, September 6, 1864
Have put out cloths & got them dry. We put up two cans of
pears. Miss Patcly is here tonight. Mr. Elijah Brown called here
tonight. Had some chicken, pigeon, & squirrel for dinner.
Wednesday, September 7, 1864
Have done work & made some pumpkin pies - done some of the
ironing. Teacher is here again tonight. Has been pleasant but
very windy.
Thursday, September 8, 1864
Have finished ironing, baked bread, swep chambers - cut few
blocks. Teacher is here. Knit in evening. Has rained some today.
Friday, September 9, 1864
Have done the housework, cut some blocks, & peased one. Pa
called. Meril went into the well - pumped out all the water
again.
Saturday, September 10, 1864
I done morning work, moped, swep & baked pies. Mr. Wells
started for Titusville. Mrs. Wells went to mill. Miss Dillie
& I went to Mountain. Mrs. Osborn came & children. Was
warm &
pleasant.
Sunday, September 11, 1864
Went to Church. Brown preached from Acts 6.8 Vers. Pormles
funeral was afternoon. I staid with Alvira Griswold. Has been
very cool. Mr. Wells got home - lost horses.
Monday, September 12, 1864
Have washed, swep chambers & moped. Mrs. Prouty called. I
have written to my dear Soldier. Have had twelve to tea &
stranger is staying all night.
Tuesday, September 13, 1864
Mrs. Wells & sister went to Mr. Clarks a visiting. I went
& staid with Miss Dillie - Mrs Prouty was gone.
Wednesday, September 14, 1864
Done ironing, besides the other work. Mrs. Wells & Osborn
went down town. Am very tired. Children Staid with me. Rained in
morning.
Thursday, September 15, 1864
Baked bread - pies & done a good deal other work. Have not
sat down, except to eat. Miss Dillie called. Has rained. Am
tired. Put on fether bed.
Friday, September 16, 1864
Nothing of very much importance has taken place today. Mrs. Wells
& Osborn went to Mr. Roots a visiting.
Saturday, September 17, 1864
Miss Wrexford came to get a horse to go to Painesville. Mr.Wade
& Stanly came here tonight. I went home with Pa - was quite
cool riding.
Sunday, September 18, 1864
I attended our own Church today - text Isaih 5.8 & took
charge of my class. Rained a concidriable hard. I went down to
Mr. Staffords. They had got a diary from Abe.
Monday, September 19, 1864
I came back here again. Have washed. Stanly has gone back to
camp. Mrs Wells went to town. I received two letters from Abram.
Mr. Wells has got home. Is extremely cold.
Tuesday, September 20, 1864
I have done the housework & a part of the ironing - made some
on crochet triming for Idas skirt. Mrs Proute & Hodges
called. Mrs. Osborn has gone to stay with Mrs. Proute.
Wednesday, September 21, 1864
I have finished the ironing, baked bread. We filled the rack with
apples to dry. Rosa went & staid with Mrs. Prouty again.
Thursday, September 22, 1864
Have baked pies & biscuits. Had company - Mrs. Prouty,
Hodges, & Camp. Ida & I went with Rosa to Mr. Prouty. She
plaid on melodian. Has beenb warm. Mrs. Allan, Fannie & Ma
called.
Friday, September 23, 1864
I have churned. Finished the crochet triming for Ida's skirt.
Mrs. Fransis was here to dinner. Mrs. Osborn staid to Proutys.
Saturday, September 24, 1864
We baked bread & cake. I mended apron. Commenced some tating
triming for night dress. Mr. & Mrs. Blish were here in
evening. Mr. Wells went to Cleveland. Meril wiped dishes for me.
Sunday, September 25, 1864
Mrs. Osborn, Ida, & I went to church. Brown preached from 2
Acts 2.1 & 12.12. I have written to Abram. Is very cold. Had
some mutton today.
Monday, September 26, 1864
I have done a very large washing - moped - swep the chambers. Pa
called & said our cousins were there from the east. Pinnie
was here to breakfast. We put up apples tonight.
Tuesday, September 27, 1864
I have done all the house work - churned - baked pies - punkin
& apple. Mr. Sperry & Herman was here to dinner. Pa
called. Mrs. W & her father went to mill. Mrs. Proutee &
Aditha
called. Mrs. Sacker died. Received letter from Abram.
Wednesday, September 28, 1864
Have done a part of the ironing. Baked bread. Mrs. Wells &
Osborn went to Mrs. Blishes a visiting. Is first day of
Painesville Fair.
Thursday, September 29, 1864
I have done all the house work. Finished the coarce ironing. Made
little tatting. Dressed two chickens. Mrs. Proutee called. Has
rained all day. Mended a very little.
Friday, September 30, 1864
I have done the work, ironed fine cloths, baked pies - apple,
browned coffee, swep chambers. Has been cloudy & cold. Mr.
Wells, Ida, & Meril went to Fair - was last day.
Saturday, October 1, 1864
I have done but very little. Came home. Met with cousins for York
State. Had very pleasant visit with them. Pleated Sarahs dress
skirt. Has rained. Sam Shatlock got home. I saw him.
Sunday, October 2, 1864
Did not go to Church. Staid at home all day & visited with
cousins. It rained all day. Cousins went to Mr. Sages - just at
night. I wrote to my Soldier boy.
Monday, October 3, 1864
Sowed on Sarahs dress some. Called at Mr. Stafford. Went to Uncle
Iras. Came back to Mr. Wellses at night. Emma went to Mr.
Crowningshields to work. Stanly is here tonight.
Tuesday, October 4, 1864
I have washed & moped. Had a very large washing. Am very
tired.
Wednesday, October 5, 1864
Have done some of ironing besides the housework. Meril gave me a
small roling pin & potatoe masher for Lillie. Has rained
some. Mr. Wade started for home.
Thursday, October 6, 1864
I have done housework & finished ironing. We have put up rack
of apples. There was a union meeting in grove.
Friday, October 7, 1864
I have baked pies & bread - cleaned chambers - swep moped
washed cellar stairs. Mr. & Mrs. Wells went to Town. Has
rained very hard. Was last day of school. Received two letters
from my
Soldier.
Saturday, October 8, 1864
I have done work. Mended dress. Has rained & snowed nearly
all day has been very cold.
Sunday, October 9, 1864
Have written to Abram. Read some. Did not go to Church. Mr.
Hodges called. Is extremely cold. Was some frost last night.
Monday, October 10, 1864
I washed, moped, & got supper. Went to Town hall to war
meeting. Ida went with us. Miss Dillie got back.
Tuesday, October 11, 1864
I have done all the work. Had chicken for dinner. I churned,
baked bread. Mrs. Wells & Osborn went to Mr. Griswolds. Mr.
Wells to Town Election. Has been quite warm & pleasant.
Wednesday, October 12, 1864
I have done ironing on all white cloths, baked punkin pies &
cake. Mrs. Wells & Osborn went to town. Mr. & Mrs. Kendle
came.
Thursday, October 13, 1864
Finished ironing, baked bread & moped. Was pleasant.
Friday, October 14, 1864
Mr. Wells killed sheep. Mr. Kendle & wife started home. Baked
apple pies. Made tatting in afternoon.
Saturday, October 15, 1864
Baked bread - have done house work - all of it & churned. Has
been pleasant. Washed some in cirting(?).
Sunday, October 16, 1864
Have not been to Church. Is cold. Mr. & Mrs Blish called.
Wrote to Abram. Mr. Hodges & Wrexford called. Read some.
Monday, October 17, 1864
Have washed. Has been quite cool. Mrs. Wells has been boiling
cider. Sent down shoe to be fixed on buttons. Am very tired. Done
moping & supper dishes.
Tuesday, October 18, 1864
Have baked bread & done the collard (colored) ironing.
Mrs.Wells & Osborn went to Town. Was quite chilly. Have been
boiling cider. Mrs. Smith & Miss Thompson called. They got my
shoe which was raped (repaired?) - cost 25 cts.
Wednesday, October 19, 1864
Have churned, baked pies & cake - done some ironing. Has been
quite cold. Read some in evening.
Thursday, October 20, 1864
Have finished ironing. Mrs. A Sawier & Blish were here a
visiting. Am having a large boil on my are - is extremely
painful.
Friday, October 21, 1864
Have baked bread & sliced tomatoes for picales (pickles).
Done housework besides. Arm painful. Have put on bread & milk
poltis (poultice) - has discharged some.
Saturday, October 22, 1864
Have swep chambers & moped floors - besides other work. Made
little tatting. Read some in magazine. Had a boiled dinner.
Sunday, October 23, 1864
Mrs. Osborn & I went to Chardon - found them all well. Went
to Church, but there was no preaching. George & Sarah were
there. Got Leroys picture.
Monday, October 24, 1864
I have washed, got supper, & knit a finger tatting. Has
rained. Several have called here. Mr. Wells is making cider
tonight.
Tuesday, October 25, 1864
Hung out cloths, churned - sat down little. Am extremely tired
tonight. Been very pleasant & warm.
Wednesday, October 26, 1864
I have ironed & done all the housework besides. Received
letter from my Soldier. Has been cloudy.
Thursday, October 27, 1864
Nothing of importance has occurred. Marinda Griswold has been
here. She went to town with Mrs. Wells, Hodges, & Ely. Roy
worked here. Mended tan Co dress. Was pleasant.
Friday, October 28, 1864
Have baked a dozen mint pies & half doz apple. Made quarter
yd tatting - besides other work. Mrs. S. Sawier called in
morning. Rained little.
Saturday, October 29, 1864
Have baked bread & biscuit, churned, dressed three chickens
for dinner. Parred apples in evening. Got a boil in my nose.
Sunday, October 30, 1864
I have written to Abram. Read some in Bible & some in
magazines. Has rained nearly all day. Staid at home all day.
Monday, October 31, 1864
I have washed. Rained this morning but go cloths dry. We made
some apple butter. Mr. Wells sold sheep to R. F. Warner. Alvira
called in evening. Ida is nine years old today. Has been
rather cold - hailed little. Lent Mr. Wells 10 cts.
Tuesday, November 1, 1864
I have baked some bread - ironed little - knit some tatting. Lent
Rosa 70 cts. Mr. Martingdale came here. Mr. Stafford called. All
went to Proutys in evening. Has been pleasant & cold.
Wednesday, November 2, 1864
Have baked pies - apple. Finished ironing - moped swep & c.
Rosa started for home this morning. The H Duch man called - the
cider man I mean.
Thursday, November 3, 1864
I have baked bread. Mrs Well has bought some glass ware. Nothing
of importance has be going on lately. Old Mr. Well came tonight.
Is raining.
Friday, November 4, 1864
Has been cold & rained all day. We have canned some wine
apples. Mr. Hodges brought over a breem (bream?).
Saturday, November 5, 1864
Have churned, moped, & all the house work & took care of
Mrs. Wells. Have had a new comer, a young soldier. Wrote to Mary
Day. Had fresh fish for breakfast. Mrs. Proutie called.
Sunday, November 6, 1864
Had company. Mr. & Mrs. Wade & children & sister.
Also Mr. & Mrs. Sawier & Wrexford called & Mr.
Martingdale.
Monday, November 7, 1864
I have done very large washing & housework besides run
candles. Mrs. Crawford called. Pennie here to dinner. Markdale
(Martingdale?) to supper.
Tuesday, November 8, 1864
Have baked pies - brought in cloths & put in wrince. Has
rained all fore noon. Martingdale here to breakfast & supper.
Mrs. S-h Sawier called. Is very warm. Today is election.
Wednesday, November 9, 1864
I have moped, baked bread, ironed little, run candles & done
a little of everything. Has rained & wind blown very hard all
day. Is warm. Old gentleman is not well.
Thursday, November 10, 1864
Have got cloths dry - churned. Has been very rainy. Mr. Wade
& Charly called.
Friday, November 11, 1864
Dressed some chickens, done part of ironing, cooked some squirrel
for Mrs. Wells. Am quite lame with a swollen ankle. Done moping
& worked butter. Was pleasant.
Saturday, November 12, 1864
Have finished ironing, baked bread, pared apples for sauce, swep
house all over. Am pretty tired.
Sunday, November 13, 1864
I have written to my Soldier. Had chicken for dinner. Aditha
& George called. Is cold & snowed some.
Monday, November 14, 1864
I have done large washing & work besides. Ida & Fred went
to town. Mr. Wells bought a new stove. I received a letter from
My Soldier. Martingdale was here to dinner. Pa called.
Tuesday, November 15, 1864
Have baked bread, pared apples for sauce. Ed Gregry &
Martingdale were both here to their meals. Mrs Sawier called. Is
rather cold - snow on the ground.
Wednesday, November 16, 1864
Have baked pies & ironed some - stewed sauce. Mr. Martingdale
started for the oil crick. Has been rather cold.
Thursday, November 17, 1864
Have baked bread - moped & swep house all over & ironed
some. Has been warm & rained some. Meirit blacked stove.
Friday, November 18, 1864
I have swep chambers. Finished ironing in evening & have done
other work & plenty of it. Mrs. Crowningshield died.
Saturday, November 19, 1864
Have baked bread - moped - swep - tried tallow - pared apples for
sauce & various other things. Is pleasant. Ed Gragry &
Abe Warren were here to work.
Sunday, November 20, 1864
Have swep & done all other work. Wrote to Soldier. I churned.
Ed has been here to work. Threw watter on old gent. Mr. Hodges
& wife called. Has been pleasant.
Monday, November 21, 1864
Have washed & done the house work besides. Has been growing
cold all day. Pa called. Mrs. Crowningshield is buried today. I
moped & pealed apples for pies - run candles. Mrs. Emma
Proutie? called.
Tuesday, November 22, 1864
Have baked bread & pies. Mrs. Wells sat in sitting room
today. Has snowed & been very cold all day.
Wednesday, November 23, 1864
Have done part of ironing & all of housework. Fried some
cakes. Paired apples in evening for apple butter. Received letter
from Abram & one from Aunt Eunice. Snowed some.
Thursday, November 24, 1864
Have finished the ironing - paired apples for apples for apple
butter. Has not been very cold. Good sleighing.
Friday, November 25, 1864
Have made apple butter was not off until nearly one. Moped &
done other house work. Has been warm - snow is nearly gone.
Saturday, November 26, 1864
Have moped, swep, churned, washed a little & done all the
house work besides. Has rained some - just last night. Made a
little tatting. Blish Sawier called.
Sunday, November 27, 1864
I got breakfast & done up work. Went home & to town.
Called on Mrs. Bates. Came back & wrote to Abram.
Monday, November 28, 1864
I have washed & done all cooking. Am extremely tired tonight.
Has rained some. Mikes cousin is here at work.
Tuesday, November 29, 1864
I have put out cloths, done moping & all house work. An old
Gipsy woman came here. Has been pleasant. Mrs. Wells went to Mr.
Prouties.
Wednesday, November 30, 1864
Have cleaned chambers. Mrs. Wells went to Town & left the
baby. I sent down my bonnet to be done over. Had four hired men
today.
Thursday, December 1, 1864
We have made some hard soap. The baby has worried all day. Mr.
Wells had a breakdown to the mill. Has been pleasant.
Friday, December 2, 1864
Have done part of ironing. Mrs. Prouty called. Has rained some.
Pealed apples for pies. Baby has worried all day.
Saturday, December 3, 1864
I have baked bread & pies, moped, dressed chickens for
dinner, finished ironing & churned. Baby has been a
conciderable worrysome today. Merit went down Town - got
Photographs.
Sunday, December 4, 1864
Have written to my soldier A. H. Stafford. Has been rather cold.
Mr. Wells has been to the cider mill all day & evening.
Monday, December 5, 1864
Have done washing. Washed Mr. Wells pants - they were very dirty.
Had to draw the water with pail. Am very tired.
Tuesday, December 6, 1864
Have put out white cloths, cleaned the further rooms & parlor
& bedroom. Has rained some. Mrs. Prouty called to see about
soap.
Wednesday, December 7, 1864
I have got breakfast, done up work, & then cleaned buttery.
Rained all day so we could not go down to town. Received 15
dollars of N. Wells. Made a finger of tatting.
Thursday, December 8, 1864
Have done ironing - all except starched cloths, baked pies. Has
been very cold. Ground frozen stiff. I got up & built fires.
They finished making cider.
Friday, December 9, 1864
I have finished the ironing. Was calculating to make bread, but
it soured. Mrs. Wells went to town. I reckoned up Mr. Wells
account on cider. Received a letter from Abram.
Saturday, December 10, 1864
Have been down town. Got bonnet - 86 1/2, Net $1.00 gloves, &
shoe strings cts, shoes, Pos Stamps 6 cts (not very clear).
Received letter from Abram. Took tea to Mr. Wades. Abram sent
his photograph.
Sunday, December 11, 1864
Have done all the work. Staid at home & took care of baby.
Mr. & Mrs. Wells went to Church. Wrote to Abram. Has been
very cold & windy, snowed all day.
Monday, December 12, 1864
Have washed. Washed Mr. Wells coat. Is still cold. We have got
out of flour & have to use indian & buckwheat.
Tuesday, December 13, 1864
They have butchered a beef. I have pealed some apples. The baby
is very worrysome. Is still cold.
Wednesday, December 14, 1864
We have had a very heavy days work trying tallows, baking bread,
frying cakes, baking pies. Mr. Wells went up to our house. Miss.
Dillie called. Mr. Prouty is sick. Is some warmer.
Thursday, December 15, 1864
I have been cleaning grease? all day. Mr. Wells went to the sale.
Mrs. Wells went to Mr. Justices a visiting.
Friday, December 16, 1864
I have done the morning work - moping. Went down Town with Mr.
Wells. Exchanged shoes, bought spool thread, Diary & some
things for Mrs Wells. Mary Stephins called. Mr. Martingdale is
here. Has rained nearly all day.
Saturday, December 17, 1864
I have done the work & done ironing. Baby has been sick this
afternoon. Mr. Wells has been puting up apples to sell. Has been
pleasant & warm. Martingdale went to Chardon.
Sunday, December 18, 1864
Ida & I went to Church. Had a good sermon. Went with sleigh.
Mr. & Mrs. Baker were here to tea & Mr. Martingdale. He
has been answering an advertisement. I have written to Abram.
Has been very pleasant.
Monday, December 19, 1864
I have done washing. Got breakfast & done up work first. Have
not done much besides. Has been growing cold all day. Is
considerable cold tonight.
Tuesday, December 20, 1864
I have made some mince pies & done other work. Pa & Uncle
Ira have come to thresh. Mr. Wells has gone to Cleveland.
Martingdale was here to breakfast. Is cold. Put out cloths.
Wednesday, December 21, 1864
Have had threshers. Baked pies & cake has snowed all day. Mr.
Wells went to town. Pa fixed my trunk so I can lock it.
Thursday, December 22, 1864
I have finished the ironing. They have finished the threshing.
Uncle Iras throat troubles him. Has snowed nearly all day. Is
rather cold.
Friday, December 23, 1864
They have butchered their pigs. I have done house work - mended
little. Some droviers are here over night. Mr. Y Mrs. Wells have
gone to Mr. Camps to a party. Is cold. Pa called.
Saturday, December 24, 1864
I have baked bread & done all the work & took care of
baby for Mrs. Wells to go to town. Alvira is here a visiting or
for a call.
Sunday, December 25, 1864
Took care of baby for them to go to Church. Received a scarf for
a christmas present & handkerchief. Came home. Found Mr.
Staffords people here. Came to stay a while.
Monday, December 26, 1864
I have hemed scarf & handkerchief. Went over to Grandpas. Has
been quite warm & pleasant.
Tuesday, December 27, 1864
We have washed. I have put on binding on skirt - finished heming
Sarahs handkerchief. Mrs. Allen & the two Mrs. Churchills
were here a visiting. Fixed Ellens dress. Pa, Ma, & I went to
Mr. Pecks in evening. Has been pleasant.
Wednesday, December 28, 1864
I have trimed Emmas hat, made some bows to wear on hair &
dress. We went over to Mr. Crowningshields & Chandlers.
Fannie was here in forenoon. Has been very cold.
Thursday, December 29, 1864
I called on Pattie. Went to Painesville. Bought dress &
linning & facing. Has been very cold. Had a present of
Balmoral skirt.
Friday, December 30, 1864
I have made balmoral skirt, done some ironing. Mary Shattuck
called. Aunt Martha was here a visiting. Sowed some on Sarahs
skirt. Knit some & wrote to Abram. Has been cold. Rube
called.
Saturday, December 31, 1864
I have finished Sarahs balmoral, cut & baisted Emmas
garibald. Went to Covenant meeting. Mr. & Mrs. Owens came.
Mrs. Shattuck & Seavinna in evening. Charley called. I called
to Cowlses.
This diary has been donated to the Geauga County Ohio USGenWeb project by Mike Stafford . Copyright 2000 by Mike Stafford and Alice Allen.
Return to the Geauga County Main Page
Mary Churchill's Diary for 1862-1863
Mary Churchill's diary--Jan-June. 1864
