Carolyn "Carrie" Williams Diary, 1894-1916

February 21, 1894

Carolyn "Carrie" Willaims Diary Collection

Typed Transcription

Carrie (Bowerman) Williams Diaries
1894 -1916 and 1901
Carolyn "Carrie" Williams b. abt 1855 married Edwin Allsion Williams in 1882. She
is the daughter of Levi Vincent Bowerman and Mary M. Haight.
The Carrie Williams diaries are held at the Prince Edward County Archives and have
the accession numbersA2001.016 085 and A2001.016.082 - 100a.
Transcribed by Lydia Wytenbroek, history student at Trinity Western University,
Langley, British Columbia and posted here with her permission. Pam Noxon, archivist
at the PEC Archives, also grants permission for this posting.
Thanks to Dr. Robynne Rogers Healey, Associate Professor at Trinity Western
University, for her role in this effort.
Copyright: © Lydia Wytenbroek and Randy Saylor, 2008
First Diary (1894 - 1895,1911 - 1916)
A2001.016.085
Notes
- the ends of right pages cut off. Most I could guess at, if I couldn’t I put a question mark.
- thoa= I think she uses this as an abbreviation for one of Rachel’s boys. Thomas?
Beginning of Diary
|pg 1 - Cover]
Carrie E Williams
Bloomfield 1894
[pg2]
Leb 21st 1894
John and I went to napanee by |?|
to spend a week with Rachel, took her quite
by surprise.
Leb 25th Rachel and I with the two children
John and Gerald drove over a little while
see Aunt Rachel Sills
Feb 27thRachel had Mr and Mrs Shannon
Mr and Mrs Curry over for the evening
March 1stI set today to go home but
baby was sick all night so did not
go. Mrs Shannon had some teeth drawn
and offered so kindly to go with me me that
I went down and had 5 out 2 were
[inteerated? infected?] and all but one badly [d?]
March 2n
dJohn and I went to the
dentist and got one tooth filled.
March 3r
dMrs Shannon went with [possibly me? but cut off?]
this pm and I had 8 more teeth drawn
they were double upper teeth and one [?]
tooth they came very hard, he let [?]
of one and took another pair of [?]
Gerald got worse after I left and Rachel
sent down to the office for Stanley and
Doctor
[Pg 3]
March 4thStanley sick all day as well as
baby. I had fever all night.
March 5thHad hard work to summon
courage to go again this morning did not
rest very well my nerve seemed all gone
Mrs Shannon came and I got the rest
out 6 of them which made 19 in all.
The younger brother drew the last ones.
March 6thJohn and I came home by
train the roads were so bad. Had Stan
telaphone [sic] to father to meet me at the train
but they could not get it out, so we walked
found Moses and Fannie Yourey here
March 19thNettie Cronk came to sew will
make Mothers [sic] brown part silk dress, and
brown [prints?]. And make one cashmere over
with some new stuff for me
March 24thMy birth day [sic] 39 years old
Rachel and Stanley and Gerald took us
so by surprise by coming in about 5
o’clock they crossed the ferry found very bad
roads. March 29thOne of Freeman Talcots [sic] little boys died
March 31st Some chickens hatched out
April 3r
dFather and I went with Rachel to the boat
[pg 4]
April 1st Kit Talcots little boy buried and the young
one died so that it was given out at the funeral
first one of membraneous [sic] croup
and got a new suite of clothes for Merton he
made a choice himself.
April 12thMary Williams came after school
to stay all night. Rachel and Stanley came
quite unexpectedly, his business is likely
come to an end there
April 14thMary Williams went to Picton with
thos and I, butter ,19cts & ,20cts eggs ,10cts
April 16thRachel and Stanley got here tonight
very tired and down. Gerald glad to see them
A heavy shower just after they got in but
caught Father with the last load of their
things.
April 21stJohn and I went to market 18 [lbs?]
butter and 8 doz eggs got 18 & 20 cts for butter
lOcts for eggs.
May 4thRachel and I and the 4 children
went out to W K Bowermans. We had a very
pleasant visit, Willie took our photos.
Plum trees out today. Arbour day the boys
raked the school yard this fore [sic] room.
Willie & Edith have such lots of views and [?]
[Pg 5]
May 8thAunt Lydia invited us over to spend the
day with her thinking it was her birthday
but yesterday was the day. [leve?] and weatherman
too was there, we made and put down
a new carpet which she had got, in the
dining room.
May 12thA letter from J Biddle in regard to
the boys going to school he sent two blank
forms for me to fill out for Merton and Thos
John is too young for a year yet.
May 15thParker Williams cut his throat this am
which has cast a gloom over us all, as he was
here so lately and has seemed so friendly, he
was still living at three this pm.
May 18thParker Williams died this evening.
May 22n
dWe have had four rainy days, Parker Williams
buried yesterday afternoon. Reuben Way took the
old gobbler this morn it weighed 24lb
s when
dressed.
May 25thGot E rameys |sic| letter which says she has
a situation for one as assistant matron
at the school and that John can to too
Even with all that it seems a great under­
taking for me. Lavina Dorland reached home
[pg 6]
this morning. Father and I were at the station
to see her, and her two children.
June 8lhAunt Elizabeth came up this am
the first time since Gmother left us
I went down for her. Samuel Cook went down
with us. John & I.
June 14thWent to Picton this pm staid [sic] at E [Garb... ?]
all night- Thos with me, got $5.00 worth of [sh...?|
for barn at [Yeryville?].
June 15thWe came on to Napanee this [morn]
found uncle Nelsons all gone down to Tom [Gil..?]
so we had to walk to Napanee in a great [h...hurry?]
started Vi past 11 o’clock very tired and warm got
the impression taken and walked up to Mr
Currys [sic] where we stay all nigt. Went to see |M.. could be mr or mrs?]
Shannon a few minutes.
June 16thWent to the dentists again he finished
the impression. Found aunt Rachel uncle [N...?]
[lid?], Tom & Lydia, Willi, & Mary, and Maud. We [walked?]
up on the other side of the river and [hailed?]
a Ipasby?] out rowing who rowed us across.
June 18thDeb came down this evening. Very [warm]
June 19thuncle Nelson aunt Rachel Deb Thos [d...?]
went to see the girls, Deb stoped [sic] with May and [w...?]
[Pg7]
1894
went on to take dinner with Tom & Lydia, it rained
most - of the way after we left - Pringles.
June 20thUncle Nelson took us up this morning to Mrs
Currys [sic]. I went down and got my teeth.
July 15thJane Cronk had us all go there for dinner
and tea all but Father & Stanley, said she
wanted to see the boys all play togather [sic].
July 17thM J Jones invited the boys and
I there to spend Willies Dorlands birth
day [sic] but changed their minds and had us
there today instead of tomorrow, G Jones takes Willie
to Glen Island tomorrow.
July 26thMary Waring came
Aug 8thRachel Bill and Lewis Varney here for a
visit - E Varney could not come
Aug 10thGilbert & M Jane Jones, Lavina & Willie
and little Bessie here for tea. Rachel picking
long black berries for pa.
Spet 23r
dA long jump in time and place of writing
the boys and I have been at [Westtown?] boarding school
3 weeks and find some disappointments and some
very pleasant people. We have had some very warm
weather very pleasant today.
[pg 8]
Oct 17thMaryanna [Boldeston?] took me to Westchester to do some
trading got hats and guernseys and ties. A nice day
and a pretty place though the wind blew very hard
going over Up to Society tonight - subject natural History
Oct 18thDear little Geralds photo came today also Em
Pringelles. Lizzie Thorp and I went to Jos Rhodes to see [?]
articles provided by the Gild for the poor.
Oct 25thThomas and John were invited to a birthday
party made for Mary Haines They had a pleasant
time, grapes and Bananas, and games. I went
and spent the time with Merton in his room
so he would not feel bad.
Oct 26thA piece of the birthday cake and some
candy came today which they divided with Merton
and I.
Nov 8thSusan Fosythes brother gave a lecture tonight- on
Switzerland with views by Magic lantern which
I enjoyed very much, the views were so [?]
natural, he gave me quite a diseription [sic] of the
avalanche, the tunnels, the bridges, the hotel [?]
they being the aristocrats of the place, and finished
views with a few of two St-Bernards dogs. They
were fine. Nov 15thAnna Walton lectured this [?]
in Panama and beyond also views.
[pg9]
Nov 18thAnn Fry Rebecca Cristman and Lizzie Lees
niece were here today I spent a little time with them
and was insisted to visit them, Susan Forsythe, Harry Alger
and John Carter invited some to meet Amilla Green and
Susan [Alsop?] which made a pleasant party for a little
over an hour refreshments lemonade and crackers.
Nov 29thRoberts gave a lecture on Alaska illustrated
and the views were fine, some showed a wall of ice and
the snow caped [sic] mountains, some of the Alaska Indians
photos and some views of Totam [sic] poles and some
views of the towns and streets in them. He also had
some of the curios a rattle the Drs shake over sick
peoples heads and if they were not cured were
bound and left to die. he had two small
silver spoons an two large ones of some kind of
[horn?], and a small seal skin in the natural
color also another animal head and all on.
Deer 3rdJust got word that the apples from home are
at the station.
Deer 4thThe barrels are here at last ours quite bruised
and beginning to rot some of them.
Deer 6thHarry Alger lectured on Boston and had views
of the city shown by magic lantern, which we enjoyed
one of Longfellows [sic] home
[pg 10]
Deer 21st Robert Engle gave a lecture on Florida beuti
fully illustrated with magic lantern slides.
Views of the interior of a large hotel were fine,
interior of a cave. A crop of pineapples the [p... ?]
with fruit on. Orange trees loaded with oranges
and a pile on the ground that made your
mouth water for one.
Xmas night - Surely the people here have been
exceedingly kind in remembering me as I [?]
had many little tokens and messages of love
written on some which brings a pleasant [feeling??]
tonight with regard myself but the dear children
have missed the pleasure which xmas usually
brought for them, but are brave about it [a... ?]
say “Mother don’t mind about us”. A letter from [M sm?]
Deer 26thI attended the lecture on Washington this evening
given by Albert [Votan?] he showed us some views of the
White House and views of some of the interior, he [a... ?]
had President & Mrs Cleavlands pictures.
Dec 27thTwo parcels from home today, one napkins
a very nice silk handkerchief from aunt Lydia
a pretty little pin from Rachel & a package of [?]
and butter and hichory [sic] nuts from Mother which
we shall enjoy.
[pg 11]
New Years night -1895. The boys and I have just been up to the
tower to look at the moon which is and
well worth going to see the volcanoes can be plainly seen
& mountains. Anna Haines gave me a nice hemstitching
handkerchief found it on my bed when I went to
dress for dinner.
Jan 5thHere we are almost alone in this big building
Lizzie Lee staid [sic] and Regina [Roat?] is sick in bed the kitchen
part of the community sill here
Jan 7thCharles the stage driver at z Hanies request took two
horses and carriage and Lizzie Lee the boys and I went
to Wertchester got some books for Merton also slippers, then
drove around the place some. Saw the normal school
buildings built of serpentine stone of a greenish color
Jan 15thSchool began today everything noise and bustle
again
Jan 18thWatson Davees gave a lecture on Martin Luther
also views.
Jan 26thThe girls societies had a contest [Snowmans?]
Occidentals and diserve [sic] [credit?] as all recited very
nicely Emma Holloway attracted most attention in
a light dress with beautiful rose buds and checks
the same shade several remarked her as being a
perfect picture. Many wore flowers fresh from some green house
[pg 12]
1895
Feb 6thSo very cold the lecture was postponed thermometer
4° below zero. Snowing and blowing
Feb 7thno mail this morning trains not running
Feb 15thWarren Goodwin gave his lecture A [Forting...?]
Scotland illustrated. How the schollars [sic] enjoy the
sledding the track is where I have a good view [from?]
my window.
Feb 19thThe boys and I with many others went
to the farm house to partake of an excellent dinner
prepared there at Thomas Copes expence [sic] for those who
are not members of Philadephia yearly meeting,
had such a good dinner of turkey [oisters?] [cake?]
ice cream [?] oranges, grapes, bannanas [sic], figs
candies, coffee, & c. We have had a great deal
of sickness most of them are better, among
the rest Merton & John had the mumps,
not sure about Thomas. Four new nurses here
nurses. Merton and John just able to go down
for their dinner.
March 3r
dJohn did not get up this morning
feeling poorly again and Thomas and
Merton coplaining [sic] also when the Dr came
he thought best for them to go to bed [a... ?]
their room is cold and their sickness [?]
[pg 13]
1895
to take the form of mumps again and the
nursery is full of boys with mumps, plneumonia [sic]
and one case of typhoid fever, over 30 cases
of mumps all boys.
March 19thGave up and came to the nursery
feeling sure I have the mumps at last
did not go to bed but felt badly.
March 23r
dMother took me very much by
surprise by sending her photograph for my
birthday after asking in her last letter if
she should come and spend my birthday
with me, but it never occured [sic] to me what she
had in view.
March 24thSpent my 40thbirthday in bed
March 30thup today for the first feeling sick
at the stomach still weak and miserable
April 1st Mary Anna Balderson kindly invited
me down there for a few days and I went today
found one of her little girls sick in bed with
mumps
April 3r
d
[pg 14]
“Ships that pass in the night & speak each other in [passing?]
Only a signal shown, and a distant voice in the dark
So, on the ocean of life we pass & speak one another,
Only a look and a voice Then darkness & a silence.”
Mizpah
The Lord watch between me and thee, when we are
absent one from another, Gen 31:49.
Go They way, and I go mine
Apart, yet not afar;
Only a thin veil hangs between
The pathways where we are;
And “God keep watch between thee and I”
This is my prayer.
He looks thy way, He looketh mine,
And keeps us near.
I know not where thy road may lie,
Or which way mine will be,
If mine will lead through parching [sand?]
And thine beside the sea;
Yet “God keep watch between thee and [me?]
so never fear.
He holds thy hand, He claspeth mine
And keeps us near
[pg 15]
Should wealth and fame, perchance be thine,
And my lot lowly be;
Or you be sad and sorrowful,
And glory be for me;
Yet “God keep watch ‘tween thee and me,”
Both be His care,
One arm ‘round thee and one ‘round me
Will keep us near.
I sigh, sometimes, to see thy face,
But since this may not be,
I’ll leave thee to the care of Him,
Who cares for thee and me,
“I’ll keep thee both beneath my wings,”
This comforts dear.
One wing o ’er thee and one o’er me -
so we are near;
And though our paths be separate,
And they way is not mine,
Yet, coming to the mercy seat
My soul will meet with thine,
And “God keep watch ‘tween thee and
me,”
[pg 16]
I’ll whisper there.
He blesseth thee, he blesseth me,
And we are near.
April 12th 1911.
Foot-Path to Peace
van Dyke
“To be glad of life because it gives you the
chance to love and to work and to play
and to look up at the stars, to be satisfied
with your possessions, but not content
with yourself until you have made
the best of them; to despise nothing
in the world except falsehood and
meanness, and to fear nothing except
cowardice; to be governed by your
admirations rather than your disgusts
to covet nothing that is your neighbors
except his kindness of heart and
gentleness of manners; to think [well?]
of your enemies, often of your friends
and every day of Christ; to spend as
much time as you can, with body and
with spirit, in God’s out-of-doors; these
little guide-posts on the foot path to peace.”
Copied from Mary Nash’s letter Sep 10-11
[pg 17]
Copy of a note written by Thomas
when teaching at S. S. no4 12. 5 p.m. 8-23-04
Dear Mother
I am sitting at my desk eating my dinner
from my left hand and writing to
thee with my right -
Yes I did think of thee when I [emptied?]
my dinner box. Taking it all around
I think the present year has its pleasures
as well as its troubles, and I intend to
enjoy it as much as possiable [sic] as I
go along.
Copied July 2n
d 1916
Copied from one of cousin Lydia Blairs letters
“now boys here are some conundrums for you
to guess as you sit around the fire.”
1) If a Filipeno [sic] should eat his father and mother what
would he be?
2) When you turn the Xrays on a dog’s lungs
what do you see?
3) When a goat eats a rabbit and you turn the
Xrays on his stomach what do you see?
[pg IB]
4) Why is a man on a red hot stove like one in [head?]
5) When one little darkey dies what do all the other
little darkies do?
1. answer. When a Philipeno [sic] eats his father and
mother hes [sic] an orphan isnt [sic] he?
2n
dWhen you turn the Xrays on
a dogs lungs you see the seat of his pants
3r
dWhen a goat eats a rabbit and you turn on
Xrays on his stomach you see a hare
in the butter.
4thThe man on a red hot stove is better off
5thWhen one little darkey dies all the other
little darkies go black berrying [sic] (burying)
“see?”
When a man marries his trouble begins
Buttoning waists and putting in pins
Looking at bonnets to see if they’re straight;
Ready to start, then having to wait.
Hunting for robbers under each bed;
Roused in the night for the blankets to spread
When the rain comes, tho your wrapped in [?]
Roused with a shout, all the windows to close.
[pg 19]
Summoned at noon to start up the fire,
Get in the milk, in your scanty attire,
Run to the stone for the food you would eat
Get in the ice ore it melts in the street.
Hurry to work, hurry back with your pay
When a man marries so passes the day.
Detroit Free Press 1916
Copied from a letter written by Mimmie McConkey
in 1912 while caring for Aunt Elizabeth Cadman
The last few years of her life when she became a
great care. She writes “These tiems are so often
in my mind.”
I know thy burden child, I shaped it,
Raised it on mine own hand
Made no proportion in its weight to thine strength maid it
For even as I laid it on, I said
I shall be near, and, while she leans on me
This burden shall be mine not hers.
[pg 20]
[blank]
[pg 21]
[some kind of magazine paper? posted in?]
[A type written poem]
DON’T TAKE IT TO HEART
There’s many a trouble
Would break like a bubble,
And into the waters of Lethe depart,
Did we not rehearse it,
And tenderly nurse it,
And give it a permanent place in the heart.
There’s many a sorrow,
Would vanish tomorrow
Were we but willing to furnish the wings;
So sadly intruding
And quietly brooding,
It hatches out all sorts of horrible things.
Resolved to be merry,
All worry to ferry
Across the tamed waters that make us forget,
And no longer fearful,
But happy and cheerful,
We feel life has much that’s worth living for yet.
[pg 22]
Mother’s Diary 2/21/94 and
2/21/94 John and she on a walk tiy to visit
and Rachel & Gerald & Uncle Stanley.
[home?] teeth extracted, 19 in all.
3/6 Returned home
3/24 Birthday, 39 years old
4/12 Mary Williams came over from school.
4/20 Rachel & Stanley left napanee.
5/4 Rachel & I & the 4 children went to W. K. Bowermans
5/8 Visited Aunt Lydia
5/12 a letter from J biddle re the boys attending
Westtown school.
6/15 Thos. accompanied to napanee to get denture
impressions.
9/23 Have been at Westtown Boarding School 3
weeks
June 10/92 Above written by my Father, Thomas Williams
Anne W.
[pg 23]
Number of steps from
Bacement to 3rdfloor
4 then a passage
2 small platform
9 more brings us to slate floor
and door out doors.
5 more we reach hall way
to the right main hall, to
the left water tower.
12 more a landing turn squeeze
around
11 more we reach hall on
2n
dfloor
10 another landing turn squeeze
around and
9 more reach hall on 3rdfloor
All this is to be swept daily.
62 steps in all.
Westtown Westtown.
Slumber till another morrow
Brings its stress of joy and sorrow
Fearless in the Father’s sight-
Slumber on Good night.
Slumber till another morrow
Brings its stress of joy and sorrow
Fearless in the Father’s sight-
Slumber on Good night.
the 24th
A rainy morning so we
go to Howard’s to have lunch
on his verandah. John Bates
and his Mother will be there.
I hope you two are
having a pleasant day.
Loving by
Merton
I read several of the
Friends papers yesterday.
Second Diary (1901)
[A2001.016.082- 100a]
[pg 1]
June 10, 1992
I think this was written by Carrie
Williams
Anne
Jan 1st 1901. Our little circle still remains
unbroken all permitted to see the dawn
of the 20 Century. Mother and aunt Lydia
and Merton went down to Stanleys.
Jan 2ndThe boys and I were invited to
Eliza Varneys We got as far as the office and
found a card from Eliza saying she had
been called to attend Jane Bonsteels funeral
and would not be home, so we went to
Reuben [Brampcomb’s?] had such a nice
visit staid till 12 o’clock a bad start for
the boys tomorrow they have enjoyed their
holidays and the visits made.
6thFather, Mother, the boys and I staid
with Eliza Varney for dinner after meeting which
was held in her house, she is very certain
the swelling in Mothers face is a cancerous
growth and advises her to have something done
at once.
9thMother went down to stay a few days with
[Pg 2]
Rachel went with the boys when they went to school
and Thomas drove down with her and got
back in time for school in afternoon.
13thGrandpa and Aunt Lydia staid [sic] at E. Varneys
after meeting today.
18thMother came home this morning. Stanley and
Rachel had brought her up to Grandpa’s yesterday
and she staid [sic] there all night.
19thThomas went to the office this evening and
brought cousin Sallies photos they are so good
a calander [sic] also from cousin L. Blair one for
Father one for Aunt Lydia
20thFather and Mother staid [sic] with aunt Lydia
after meeting for dinner.
21st The boys brought word tonight that the Queen
is not expected to live.
22n
dI walked over to spend the afternoon with
aunt Lydia, Grandpa came in about 2. 20 o’clock saying the bell
was tolling which no doubt was for the Queen
[Pg 3]
When the boys came home they brought word that
she died, by the English time 6.30 pm. It brings
a feeling of great sadness to hear of the death
of our beloved Queen.
23r
dFather came up with Stanleys team for
some one to go down as S & R are both sick so
aunt Lydia & mother both went.
24thFather brought aunt L. home tonight
25thThe man in Stanleys old house brought
mother to the mills and father took her to
a cancer Dr who E. Varney recommends by the
name of Biddle, he gave her medicine.
27thFather & Mother went out to Walter Leavens
to see aunt Rachel whose nose is bad so Phebe
Leavens brought word to meeting.
28thLooked for aunt Rachel all day but
she did not come Rachel Stanley and Gerald
had been up to Grandpa’s for dinner they
brought aunt Lydia and came down for
a little while after they left Merton & [?].
[pg 4]
out to Walter Leavens found the boys better aunt
R afraid of taking cold in her nose so she
did not come. Eliza Varney very sick.
29thWalter brought aunt R this morn. I
walked up to tell aunt L she was here Grandpa
took me to see E. Varney but the Dr (Farley)
did not wish anyone to see him. Grand-pa
and aunt Lydia spent the evening here with
aunt Rachel.
30thPa came for Mother and aunt Rachel
to spend the day there took aunt R out to
Walters this p.m.
Feb 2st [sic] Quarterly meeting Very small missed
E. Varney. Margret-Boon spoke nicely, she and
Abigal Garratt here this evening also Grandpa
and aunt L.
3r
dMeeting small though good Marie
(Haight) Foster and Lou here for dinner.
Eliza Varney better.
[Pg 5]
Feb 8thMerton came home tonight saying he
thought we could go down to aunt E. Cadmans
so we are going to try to go to market and
then on. Grand pa & aunt L here for tea.
Feb 9thWent to market Merton put the horse
in at uncle Stephens and we made a
pleasant little call there aunt L. gave us a
little lunch we staid [sic] till baby woke up
a dear little girl started about 11, drove the
ice to the dry dock, road heavy wind blowing
hard and very cold so took the land road
there, met Stan and Rachel which seemed
quite a coincident as a few minutes
earlier on our part and we would not
have met They were posting bills, we took
a few with us. We got to aunt E.s about
15 min to 3 very cold and the storm increasing
found the road badly drifted from school
house. Minnie gone aunt E. alone. A very
pleasant boy here with them.
[pg 6]
10thSpent a pleasant but quiet day here
with the old people Uncle R not very
well.
11thStarted for home this p.m. found
roads good after we got to schoolhouse &
weather milder, got in Picton in time
to bring Thomas home John had caught
a chance with one of the boys. Mother had
got on very well but pretty tired.
14thStanleys sale today. Father & Mother went
down yesterday.
16thFather & Mother came home tonight
Mother very tired, the things went off very well at
sale R felt very bad to see them go.
14thFather & Mother took dinner with Pa
and aunt L. Then aunt L came down here
to talk over how we are to help Rachel with
her moving. Mother has decided to go though
not very able.
[Pg7]
18thFather & Mother went down to Rachels.
21st The boys brought word Father had been
smothered with the gas from the engine
and was entirely unconscious. Stan happened
in and came back to Picton for the Dr
and sent Merton from school down to Greenbush for
Mother, they took him down with them.
24thAunt L came home with us after meeting
a very stormy evening has been snowing very
fast and wind beginning to blow.
Sept 29thAnd now the Summer is gone. A beautiful
season no [doubt?] as in most seasons, but rain enough
to keep everything green and fresh. Our family has
been mercifully preserved from many known
dangers. Mother came home after getting
Rachels things inside the door at Hallowell Mills
with a very bad [felon?], was really sick with it,
and it was more than one month before it began
to get better. During haying Father fell from a
load of hay on his head bruising his head & giving him a stiff neck
[pg 8]
Stanley had a narrow escape from drowning helping
Grandpa fix a wire & pail for draining water
at the Mills. Thomas got badly hurt while
wheeling through Picton, he collided with a
horse and buggy. Walter Leavens happened
there in time to take him to the Dr, then
after bandaging his shoulder and arm
which was badly hurt, he brought him
home about 11-30 o ’clock in a dazed condition
from which he did not recover till next morning
His shoulder slowly grew stronger but he [remains?]
threatened with fever, he consulted the Dr
and soon began to get better. Ada and Mary
Switzer called to see him besides many others
who seemed very much concerned about him.
After getting better we made several visits
and they and Grandpa spent three or four
days at the banks. Mary Switzer and friends
spent one day with them Ralph Leavens too was
there part of two days.
[pg 9]
After examinations were over for Thomas and Merton
which were hard, Mertons lasted 8 days, he went
down and helped Stanley get in his hay, then
brought the machine and helped get ours
in. Thomas & Ralph wheeled down to Long
Point and back the same day, started about
4 in the a.m. came home about 11 making
about 44 miles from here, then Thomas went
to help Hawkins hoe for the next four days
which was very hard work for him
We made a number of visits and had
quite a lot of visitors. Helen & Jarvis English
George & Marne & Mae Anderson spent several
days with Aunt Lydia. Kenneth Switzer was
here one evening. Mary Switzer & her friend
Margret Farrol were here one afternoon.
Uncle Nelson and Aunt Rachel Sills, Mary
& Walter, Zella & baby Hubert.
Aunt Elizabeth Cadman staid [sic] two weeks
or so while having her nose treated.
[pg 10]
Ryerson Sills & Mary were here Abbie Richardson
and Aunt Lydia Hubbs, Cousin Rachel and
Eliza Haight Charles Bell & Florence Christy
Patience Robinson also Carrie Robinson
Leonia Dorland, Margret, John, Arthur.
An old friend by the name of Harvey Haight
We returned Helens and Jarvis visit,
were invited to Switzers for tea, went to
Bruce Yarwoods. Went to Phebe Leavens’
Also to Walter Leavens.
We attended Carrie B Robinson & Auson B
Harveys wedding, Merton stood up with them
Thomas acted as usher, and all went to James
Swetmans for the tea, 20 in all. Carrie looked
very nice in her white dress of organdie with
satin yoke, and white ribbon. The tea
was nice, and everything seemed to go
smoothly as could be desired. The meeting
house nearly full E Varney made a nice
[pg 11]
prayer and spoke very fitting for the occasion,
Ralph Leavens brought his camera and took
several photos of the wedding party also the
company And now the boys are
back to school. Ryerson and Walter opposed
Thomas going to school this year but Dr
thought he might try it for a time.
John too had several poor spells one day
which has greatly troubled me, still he is going
and was promoted so has skipped to same
room that Merton did. Thomas took good
marks in his examination and Merton took
Honors. Tonight finds us all home and in
usual health. Rachel and Stanley and Gerald
here for dinner. Matura Bowerman has been
with us for two weeks but is with aunt Lydia
tonight she has helped me a lot both in house
work and sewing.


Done