Oxford Historical Society

The new year finds us four at home, Father, Mother, Oscar and myself. Oscar is taking his vacation. John, Sarah and Bertie live across the street. In the West are Henry, his wife & two boys and Charles with like "incumbrances."(sic) [Note: Henry and Charles are also Mary’s older brothers.]

A severe storm of rain kept us all from church.

Weather uncommonly warm. Washed. Worked with doors and windows open.

Oscar went hunting (?) for materials to furnish Louise Newman’s (?) fernery (?). Afterwards we went down to Aunt Lucinda’s.

Oscar & I called this evening on Joel & Mary Wheeler.

Carried Oscar to Seymour to take the cars. [note: railroad]

Hattie Hawkins called just at night.

Snow again – some hope of sleighing –

Mr. Churchill preached. New chairs (.) sermon this afternoon – stayed – A project afoot to visit Mr. Churchill at his home on Thursday –

More snow and a little cold but we have had hardly any cold weather.

A perfect day. Mother rode over to Mrs. Griffins – Ch [Charles] & wife spent part of the day with us –

The snow vanished like the early dew.

John brought over his sewing machine & we have been working busily. Rain kept the people from going to Woodbury.

Cold & snow (?)

The good people some twenty in number went to Woodbury –

Mother purchased a pair of pebbles–

Emma Wheeler has the diphtheria

Finished our machine sewing – Mr. White called. Doctor coming across on foot from Bower’s hill stopped in & left again in a pouring rain refusing a horse –

Mr. Churchill preached an able sermon this afternoon from the text "They that are whole need not a physician but those that are sick. The day has been warm & perfect –

Washed in the rain. Made ready to go to New Haven with Father in the morning – Visited a little with Bertie as usual this evening. Mother sewed on the machine and it has gone home –

Went to New Haven with Father. Did but little shopping and was vexed enough to find that I had left Sarah’s sampler, John’s Diary (?) and my own S. S. question book on Oscar’s table – So much for thoughtfulness. A letter from Miss Haskins – Most (?) unfathomable

Doctor took Mr. Clark to Middletown

Father walked over to the Center this afternoon.

Mother & I across the street – Sewed on the machine making aprons – A letter yesterday from Augusta Haskins and one today from Carrie King –

Sarah and Bertie visited at Dewey (?) Smith’s. Maria Hinman called.

Called at Mrs. White’s and [crossed out letters: "spe"]] took tea with Mrs. Ward.

Oscar surprised us just before dark by an unexpected appearance. He came up with a friend De Forest who is to preach in Woodbury – John’s girl Kate left to take care of her mother and Bertie has spent most of the day with us.

Mr. Churchill

An unpleasant morning -- but few at church and Sabbath school – Mr. Deforest came for Oscar and staid the traveling is so bad.

Oscar & Mr. D. left for New Haven – We were up so early to see them off that the day seemed interminable. John washed –

A long rainy day, Mr. Nichols spent most of the afternoon with us. Baked, & ironed for John –

A lovely day – My cold is bad – Sarah & Bertie spent the afternoon with us. Helped Sarah cut out the little fellow’s new dress – John had a letter from Kate. She wants to come back.

Another lovely day. Dewey Smith came in the morning for some milk -- John brought home his new carpet -- He says Mr. & Mrs. Walker started to come over but had to go back home on business.

A good long letter from Miss Adams. A terrible cold. A visit from Mr & Mrs Walker –

Mother & I worked on Sarah’s carpet. Father went to Birmingham.

Lovely weather – The roads are settled –

Rain & snow – Father walked through it all over to the Center and back to see David Clark –

Sarah’s carpet finished. Wrote to Ellen Scott –

Mr. Churchill preached one of his most earnest and practical sermons this afternoon from the parable of the lost piece of silver. "Can these dry bones live?" Mr. Baird & Mr. Arnold at church. Father made Mr. B.’s acquaintance. A lovely day –

Snows so Washed. John cleaned house and put down the new carpet –

Mr. Northrop came in to have Father take the acknowledgement of a deed & spent some time talking. Watson’s wall map –

Helped Sarah a little –

Frank Alling’s house burned last night –

Meet at the Schoolhouse in the evening to reconstruct the mail arrangements.

Julia & Irving over to Sarah’s. A great scare about trouble in the Center & Mr Ward sent for but it came to nothing except that Mr W was sent to Westville to see about the fire – Ripped up my black alapaca (sic)

Ironed &c –

Mrs. White & Mrs. Northrop called – Mrs. White is not usually well & told Father that she should never come again unless she was better – John went to Seymour for his girl but came back without her –

Bertie was here all the afternoon

A pair of runaway oxen exhibited their speed this morning for Mr. Tomlinson. Took up one corner of Sarah’s carpet & had tribulation by trying to put it back again.

Father & John at Moose hill –

Bertie’s third birthday. Helped to make him an apron –

It is good both to hope in the Lord and quietly to wait for his Salvation – Father & I went to church – It has been a chill wintry day –

Mother is nearly sick tonight

Bertie’s third birthday – Helped make him an apron –

The above was a mistake. To day has been lively. Bertie spent the afternoon with us.

Winter has "set in" with the severest storm of the season. I have written four letters – To Oscar, Lizzie, Augusta Haskins and to Emma.

Nobody stirred through the storm but the whistles sound as if the engine was trying to clear the track of snow. Ironed.

Sleigh bells jingle once more –

William Clark finally taken to Hartford.

Poor little Burtie feeling quite dumpish – John "teaming it" to Seymour –

Father up to Christian street and consulting with Eliza Clark –

Mrs Griffin spent a few hours with us.

Father went to New Haven – Burty sick – Albert Chatfield’s hired man taken violent sick with lung fever –

Bertie a trifle better – We reconstructed the stair carpet – The sleighing is no more.

Went to church. Mr. Churchill appointed a church prayer meeting on Friday and hopes to attend it himself – Lewis Tucker addressed the Sunday school – Doctor & Mrs. Barnes called this evening –

The monotonous record of the week begins with the usual "washed" – varied tonight with a toothache –

A letter from Maria King – Rain to disturb the lecture promised by Ike Bromely –

John went to Seymour after a "girl" – Don’t know whether he found one or not – Sarah and Bertie spent the afternoon with us. Doctor called with Johnny and Lizzie. He has heard from William Clark who is doing well –

Bertie trotting out of doors for the first time this winter. He had serious objections to going in – Dewey Smith came in this evening & I went home with her. Mrs. Edwin Smith was there –

Oscar sent up my watch by "The Post".

It has rained furiously all day-- & just begins to lighten (sic) & thunder—

Bertie trotted over to spend the afternoon with us –

My Sunday school class all present – Gave Orrin the new question book and he is going to supply the class –

Mr. Churchill.

A present this morning of eight dollars from Father – Mother met the same good fortune. John also gave me a paper of Old Brown [possibly Windsor] Soap – Glorymonger for one day – Washed – The mercury has started for the zero point. Jack Frost is whistling.

Mr. Russell came up to get some surveying done. J. proposes to lay aside all such gains till he has enough of them to purchase a good instrument. He is putting a chicken skeleton into shape for Oscar. The thermometer stood at 3 degrees this morning & Father & I have not been to the sociable at Mr. Treat’s. Ironed & baked across the street – "Going out to work."

John surveying. Father moderating. Teeth grumbling –

Crocheted Sarah’s mat. Father walked to the Center for the mail.

John Fairchild buried.

A wayfaring man up in Oscar’s room I must fasten my door.

Tooth grumbling all day – resorted to my first dose of morphine & slept on the lounge all the afternoon. Burty did want to see Aunty Meamie.

Burt in the highest glee tonight – Mother rather miserable – Mrs. Wheeler is worse again –

A wintry day –

Mr. Churchill preached

"For Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.

Nellie Dean is very sick with scarlet fever –

Nellie Dean died last night.

Father went to Birmingham –

A letter from Bethina Dykes – The missionary ship Morning Star has been wicked.

John attended Nellie Dean’s funeral –

Mother and I cut out & began Oscar’s shirts –

Father over to the Probate Court – appointed conservator for William Clark.

Father over to the Center – John about home, most sick – Five lambs first installment.

Ironed and worked on Oscar’s shirts.

Ran the sewing machine all day.

Mr. Churchill was expected to deliver a preparatory lecture but being sick with a hard cold he did not come – we had a good prayer meeting instead and a goodly attendance (.) Dea. Curtis bought a new stove for the vestry. J & L came home by the way of the mineral spring –

Finished the shirts wrote to Henry & Elizabeth – Father over to the Center –

Mr Churchill probably sick, did not come & we had prayer& Sabbath school & deacon meeting.

Quite a snow storm. John went to Ansonia after a woman & his hopes of getting one –

A lovely day – Mother & I John & his family went out riding – Mary Treat spent the afternoon here and Mrs. Dean. Ellen Brown called also Mary Smith Wheeler –

Mr. Baird of Newtown died instantly last Friday –

Mary Smith W & I attended a sociable at Jane Perkins – Had a pleasant time.

Had fiery trials with Oscar’s five new fine shirts – Mr. & Mrs. Walker came over just at night and stayed a few hours –

John went to Seymour surveying for Edwin Smith. I went with him as far as Albert Tomlinson’s to have a root extracted & came home with the root still in there –

We covered Sarah’s lounge – Berty’s ambition in the dress line is a "petticoat like yours and long dresses"!!

Interviewed the neighbors quite extensively –

A furious storm of wind and snow has kept everybody in doors –

A lovely day – The Hargers all took an airing. Father went to Ansonia, John & his family to the Center, Mother to the Farms & I to the River – Washed –

Berty spent the afternoon with us – Wrote to Charles and Katy –

Wednesday, March 16, 1870

Winter & summer in the same day –

John & I went sleighing to New Haven. Went down the turnpike for the first time in my life & Kit [note: their horse?] celebrated by going over with her feet (?) in the air – Get in to New Haven & found "St. Patrick’s day in the morning" – Bought some plated forks – a boulevard skirt & c—

Sleighing somewhat slim but Kit wasn’t caring & we had a "nice time"

Baked & helped Sarah &c.

Mother, Burty & I went sleighing. Mother stopped a moment at Mr. Whites & also at Mr Wheelers – Eliza Clark & Ruth Warner spent the afternoon with us. Mary S. W. called also Mrs. Barnes, Grace & Randolph – A letter from E.E. S. also one from Miss Haskins –

A lovely day.

Mr. Churchill in the pulpit once more –

My class recited their first lesson in the new question books –

Blue birds!

John is expecting to go to New York tomorrow to buy a transit

Song sparrows – I carried John to Seymour to take the cars for New York –

John came home with his transit. Mrs. Walker spent the day with us –

A blustering day – Susan Smith went home – John rich as a king with his new instrument –

Burty spent the afternoon with us –

A row of men working at the woodpile – Sarah & Burty over here –

The circular –

Went to church in the snow and came home in the rain – attempted to sit down stairs but Mr. Churchill sent me up –

Washed in the rain & put out the clothes to do the best they may – Cleaned the lamb skins –

Stretched my lamb skins &c

A letter from Oscar – He comes home on Friday – A call from Sarah Hinman also from Nancy Tomlinson

Rubbed my lambskins this evening –

The fifteenth Amendment proclaimed & general rejoicing & firing (?) thereupon –

Spent the afternoon at Sarah Hinman’s with Emma McEwen

Oscar came home to vote.

Baking &c –

We made John’s pants –

Another unpleasant Sunday

Election day

Oscar went back in the storm

Washed – swept out across the street &c

Wrote in the circular – Snow –

Snow rain &c

Went to Seymour for Miss Bunnell & Fannie & found them over at the center – The sun shining once more – Mother spent the afternoon with Lucy and Mary –

A lovely day

Fanny went back – Julia & her family over

Nancy, Hattie & Mrs Ward –Sarah, Miss Bunnell & Burtie took tea with us Mother had the nervous headache – A warm & lovely day.

The South Britain minister –

Stormy as all our Mondays are – Put out my clothes & was glad to get them all back in the tub

Began house cleaning by putting things to rights "up garret" –

Oscar came home.

A warm & lovely day –

Fast day

Oscar & I went down to the river & to Aunt Lucinda’s [Note: "the river" is probably 8 Mile Brook.]

Mr. Churchill preached an Easter sermon in the morning and touched on temperance in the afternoon –

A furious rain – John has another hand maiden Hannah Tracy –

Cut my dress

Washed &c –

A letter from Jennie Dunbar

Wrote to Miss Haskins – Mrs Nichols called

Oscar painted Mother’s room –

Mrs. Griffin and Jessie Perry called –

Attended church – Mr Churchill – A rainy day –

Washed & then went to bed sick –

Stayed there –

Felt better & crawled (?) out once more

Orre (A nickname for Oscar?) went back – A thunderstorm –

Did not attend the preparatory lecture – Mary Edmonds came down & ironed –

About the premises once more –

Attended church Communion service at noon –

____(?) is wash –

Headache –

Went to Ansonia after millinery –

A warm day –

Cleaned my room –

Cleaned house a little & subsided –

Finished cleaning the chambers – John’s folks went over to the Center – Trimmed my new hat.

Sewed all day.

Attended church – Mr. Churchill preached in the morning on Hope & in the afternoon on Joy –

Cleaned the pantry and sink room –

"Monstrous wash – same as two families" –

A rainy day prevented the meeting of the Sociable –

Attended a sociable at Orrin Buckingham’s –

I never knew a pleasanter May-- Emma McEwen brought Ellen Stone & Sarah Hinman came with Della and Mr Albert Chatfield’s wife & we had a tea party –

We called at Mr. White’s and Mrs. Barnes was here to tea –

I carried Ellen over to Orrin’s and came back by Mr. McEwen’s to take some hops & shrubs – Mrs. McE. gave me a great piece of cheese.

A June day – Mr. Churchill preached. A new scholar in Sabbath School Elida Crissy –

Washed. Such lovely weather! The apple blossoms is unparalelled (sic) –

John went to New Haven & it tried to gather a storm but Sarah & Mother & Burty & I went up to Bernice Meigs & to Mrs Flagg’s calling – Mr. Flagg has for some time been "out" – Yesterday he started for Michigan.

Haven’t amounted to much to day began wrong by fainting almost away just after breakfast.

Sociable at George Sperry’s – I Didn’t do any thing. Mer [Mother?] working out Wm. Clark’s road tax –

Father went to Birmingham –

Cut out Father four shirts –

Mr Churchill –

A pleasant day

& unusually large congregation –

Washed & sewed on the machine –

Ironed & finished the machine work on Father’s shirts –

Cleaned the sitting room

Hannah came over & washed the floor for me –

Cleaned the kitchen –

Finished Cleaning House!

Dipped candles –

Mr. Churchill preached in the afternoon on Spiritual discernment.

Washed &c

Mr Yates came to work on the old house.

Went to Seymour & had four teeth filled.

Grandpa mending the old house

Spent the afternoon at Emma McEwen’s with Sarah Hinman.

Packed up my things for a visit to New & West Haven

Mrs. Perkins is having a cancer taken out & so we did not go to Woodbridge – We all called on Mrs. Ward & at Mr. White’s & at Hattie Hawkins but she was not at home.

A sultry day – Mr. Churchill preached –

Went to New Haven to ____(?) ____(?)

Called at Mrs. Tuttle’s in the evening –

Weather kept us in doors but Okke {a nickname for Oscar?] came up – Mr & Mrs. Warren (?) Taylor appeared. He is representative from Bethlehem.

O & I went down to Augusta Hendrick’s & in the evening we all attended an organ concert in the Howe St church given by Master Willis Shelton aged 15 –

We attended the Installation of Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford at the universalist church –

Went in to the art gallery & stayed & stayed – A chapter of adventure in getting over to West Haven.

Muggy weather

Visited with Mrs Austin –

Oscar came over in the evening –

Went with Mr. Austin to the congregational church –

Oscar came over & we all went to look at the Derby rail-road. The rain came suddenly & we had a view of the interior of paddy shantys (sic)

Went over to Burton Holbrook’s. Oscar spent the afternoon then Mr. B. carried him back to N. H. –

Burton Dewey & I went to N. H. & Oscar took us around the college buildings

Rode down to the beach twice & over to New Haven – Saw Cousin Louisa in at Wilcox & Halls.

Went down to Mrs Austin’s but Oscar came over to Burton’s & I went back there & over to New Haven after supper –

Burton Holbrook brought me home – Hot day –

Attended church

Mr. Churchill preached the last part of his sermon viz sacrifice the first of which I missed last Sunday –

Washed – an exceedingly warm day –

Sudden change of weather –

Ironed –

Cut out my Ninon Paletot – [note: a type of topcoat]

Sewed over to Sarah’s.

Helped Mother sew some.

Carried Mother to the Center & left her at Doctor’s while I went to Seymour

Warm weather

90 degrees – in the shade –

Men at Mr. Robert Treat’s distributing – Mother rather the worse for wear—

Extremely warm weather "If thou faint in the day of adversity thy strength is small (.")

Mr. Churchill.

A bit of athsma (sic)

Wash ____ (?) worse

Warmest day of the season 91 3/5 degrees

Letter from Oscar – Aunt Mary coming -- sometime

"Busy here & there."

Raining a shower at least – Wrote to Oscar –

Oscar, Aunt Mary & Minnie appear on the scene –

Wrote to Carrie King –

A rainy morning – Attended church.

Father took Oscar to Seymour in the morning. I did not attend the picnic – Sarah took tea with us & brought her picnic boqqet (sic) a cake.

After going to the river Sarah Burty & I tried to take a ride but the wheel stuck by Mr. Tomlinson’s & L & B. stopped there. I came home alone – John went after them after work. Washed & picked red currants

for jelly –

Ironed, sewed, fussed &c –

Mother about sick – John went after the mail.

Rain & shine

Aunt Mary & I rode to Seymour in the most delightful weather –

Mrs Northrop & Mary called – Victory Lounsbury was married yesterday morning –

Rev. Mr. Smith of Southbury –

Wm. Clark returned last night from the Insane Asylum & was at church today –

"Hitherto hath the Lord helped us."

Green corn for dinner. Washed – Mother watched a setting hen & found a nervous headache –

Mr & Mrs Wm. Clark & Judge Dikemen(?) called this evening __

Very warm weather but the rains have refreshed every living thing –

Sewed &c

Mrs. Flagg & Jo. Called. Mr. & Mrs. John Wooster have a daughter today.

Aunt Mary & I went after the mail – A letter from Charles from the Sheffield Scientific School –

Showery – Sewed, baked &c

The very warmest day -- ____(?) at church – Mr. Churchill preached in the morning & touched on prison discipline & somewhat startled me by his "radical" ideas –

Oppressive weather -- ____ (?) & Laura over –

I am rather bad nearly all day –

Lewis Perkins’ barn struck and burned by lightning

Ditto

I cooked a little for Oscar –

Went to Seymour under protest after Oscar & found him after a long search –

Aunt Mary & Minnie went over to Mrs. Walker’s. Weather too warm – 92 1/2 .

Did not attend church but sweltered at home.

John & Oscar gone to Birmingham – hotter –

Every day is hotter than any of its predecessors –

Some hopes of rain –

Oscar & I went after the mail. Mr. Walker brought over Mrs. W. & Aunt Mary.

John & Oscar over to the river.

Oscar & I went to Aunt Lucinda. Sarah & I spent the afternoon with Lucy and Mary –

Attended church – Mr. Chamberlain was there in the afternoon – The church is all torn up.

John took Oscar to New Haven but he will not go from there for two or three days. Everything is drying up entirely.

Washed &c.

Partly finished my ironing – went berrying –

Rain! We are thankful for small favors –

Carried Fannie to Seymour & bought a new paconet dress – Mother & I spent the afternoon at Mrs. Tomlinson’s.

Katy died –

Made my new dress – all but the finishing –

Letter from Ellen & Scott –

Mr Churchill preached on unbelief – No more services for two Sabbaths – Extremely warm weather –

Went blackberrying & sewed on my dress –

Washed – warm weather – Wrote Henry and Elizabeth –

A little rain & some hope of more.

Some more rain. A letter from Oscar which I have answered –

Mother sick all day –

Mrs. Chatfield called this evening –

John took his family to Seymour for a few day’s visit. Doctor brought his wife over & gave Mother some blue pills: hydrate of chloral.

[Note: Hydrate of chloral is a sedative.]

Mother more comfortable –

More rain tonight –

The sun shining after rain – Mother was sick in the night but "feels better now’ –

A letter from Carrie Frost.

Lizzie King has a baby boy!

Mother better – a perfect day.

Aunt Lucinda and Cousin Jane Beers spent the afternoon with us – Jane gave me an urgent invitation to visit her in Newark.

John in Seymour with his family

The good folks at home again.

Mr. Churchill appeared to us & took dinner with us. Wooster McEwen & Joel Wheeler working at the old house! A warm day. Mercury at 81.

Father in Ansonia after sashes for the old house

Little Phebe Holbrook died –

A quiet day at home. Burty was well enough to pay us a visit but looks pale yet.

Washed &c –

Went to the funeral of Ellen Holbrook’s little girl.

Mrs. Deacon Buckingham and Mrs. Chatfield came over, also Mr & Mrs. Walker from Albert Dutton’s funereal (sic).

Went over to the Center for Miss Burnell and her little nephew and followed them down to the "Pool".

Tacked comfortables & (possibly sighed?) for rain –

Which came in the night –

Finished our comfortables and spent the afternoon with Mrs. Griffin after Kate Burnell had cleaned out our wagon.

A delightful change in the weather & a character in the shape of Mrs. Griffin’s brother’s wife –

John went to have a tooth filled – Finished Miss Alcotts’ "Moods" and don’t (?) like it – Wrote to Miss Haskins.

Attended church at Quaker’s Farms – Preaching by Mr. Eddy –

Washed &c. Miss Burwell & Henry Lum (?) went to the Center –

Father spent most of the day over there –

Joel and John went up to Roxbury to Mine Hill and had a fine time generally – Snakes and stones came back with them –

John surveying in Ansonia – He took Miss Burwell & Henry to Great Hill I called at Mrs. Wheeler’s & found Mrs. W. sitting up – the first time I’ve seen her up for months.

A long letter from Oscar – Wrote to Cousin Louise. Caught one butterfly and missed the beauty

Emma McEwen & Mrs. Montague called – Mrs. Sanford came & I went with her to Mrs Chatfield’s & saw the "littlest" baby.

Kitty supposed to have gone off last night bumming (or humming ?).

Mrs. Walker came after me and we went over to try the New Organ –

Church once more – Charles and Kate Walker up from Woodbridge

Went over to the church to practice –

Charles Walker & his mother [,] wife & niece took tea with us –

Washed – Lizzie & Cornelia Sherman & Fanny walked over to Sarah’s from Julia’s

We canned pears yesterday & today –

A letter from Maria King – She is coming on Saturday. We all went over to see the prospect from Mrs. White’s hill & broke down in the old carriage – finished our excursion in the lumber box – Tended the littlest baby tonight –

Societies’ meeting voted to finish the church.

We put up grapes.

Tooth grumbled all day.

Went to Seymour for Maria King and brought her home with me –

Mr. Churchill preached in the morning & Burritt Smith in the afternoon.

Changed the carpet in the sitting room and put up the stove – Maria (,) Burtie & I ran over the rocks

Maria & I went over to the river to ride –

Father went to Ansonia & found Oscar in Seymour

We went riding up to Southford & down through the Center for the mail –

Stayed at home and sewed, packed and visited –

Wonderful to relate! A rainy day !!!

Mr. Churchill preaching – Charley playing.

John started for New York before any body else was up though we rose early – I took Oscar and Maria to Seymour about noon (.) Aunt Lucinda drove up with Mr Beers – Cousin Jane’s husband –

A monstrous wash – Same as two families.

Ironed etc –

Lucy and Mary came in and stayed most of the afternoon –

The folks began picking apples.

Went to the Sociable at Mrs. Ebenezer Buckingham’s –

A new organ at church –

Washed curtains &c

Ironed & stewed about. Weather unseasonably warm and the pump failing –

Mr. Churchill in the pulpit and Charlie at the new organ – A letter from Oscar and one from Cousin Louise –

Mrs. Isaac Hotchkiss is dead.

Washed and cut out my new calico.

Ironed the parlor curtains. Talk of a Pipe organ for the church –

Cleaned parlor and went over to play on the organ &c –

Called on Eliza Clark –

Oscar came with Prof. Dana – Randolph fell and hurt him seriously – Confusion – the doctor &c –

Rain once more – Oscar & the Prof left for New Haven. Mrs. Barnes came over to take care of her boy who has been suffering a great deal with his head –

Doctor and Mrs. Barnes took Randolph home – Went over myself in the afternoon to find that he bore the journey well – Practised on the organ –

Mr. Churchill on Self deception and on the promise "Look ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you" – Randolph is doing well – Mrs. Wilcoxin (sic)thought to be dying –

A rainy day.

town meeting

Sewed on dresses.

Mrs. Wilcoxin (sic) died at 8 oclock P. M. [Note: Anna Wilcoxson is cited in http://www.oxfordpast.com as dying on October 3, 1870.]

Attended the Town Fair –

A visit from Mr. Topliff and a letter from Maria king

Attended Mrs. Wilcoxin’s (sic) funeral.

Cleaned pantry and went to Seymour.

Wrote to cousin Jane Beers –

Mother & Sarah went to Lucy & Mary’s on their own account –

Burty’s first half day at church [.] His mama out also.

Oh give thanks unto the Lord for He is good for his mercy endureht forever –

All ready to go to Newark tomorrow but it looks like rain. Mrs Burnetts house & barn burned last night & Charles Candee disturbed the Center this morning by trying to commit suicide.

A fine rainy morning. Kept us all at home.

Went to New Haven and from there on with Oscar to Newark – taking my first look at New York.

Oscar went back and I went about Newark a little.

Georgie came home and after tea we went over through the market –

Attended Presbyterian church – Dr. Wilson’s in the morning – "The kingdom of heaven is within you" – Dr. Teravin (?) in the afternoon "Who loved us & gave himself for us &c: In the evening we attended ritualistic services at the House of prayer "In as much as ye did it not to one of the least of these ye did it not to me".

Georgie & I visited the cemetery and the hothouses &c –

Central Park and a day of Adventures –

Went over to see Auntie Stebbins and bid a very hasty goodbye to Newark –

Came up to Oxford in the rain – Stopped at Eliza Clark’s.

Home again.

Getting settled

A cold church – A chilly minister (.) Mr. Churchill has been sick for the first time in his life –

Washing – John went to Washington not D. C.

Mr. & Mrs. Ward called in the evening (.) They leave the place on Saturday for Ansonia.

Mrs. Albert Chatfield brought her baby up for a call –

Ironing Same as two families. Baked, stewed, &c - &c –

Went to Seymour to meet Oscar and Prof Dana and found another man Mr. Gardner there & we had a wagon full. They all left for Woodbury after dinner and I went up to Mr. McEwen’s to Sociable and played my first game of croquet.

A quiet day at home.

Wrote to Henry and to his little boys –

Cleaned house – Mr. Randall came up and bought a load of apples – His wife and baby came up with him and called –

Oscar came from Litchfield leaving Prof. Dana and Mr. G. at Middlebury to walk to Waterbury.

The blinds on the stoves up & fierce fires burning at church – Mr. Churchill not usually well –

The cushions in & the carpets to be made on Wednesday.

John and Oscar leveling to the river find that we are 847 feet above its level at the Other rock.

John carried Oscar to New Haven.

Walked over to the Center to help put down the carpet. A good many there & plenty of work for all –

I spent the night at Red City and "we" finished the church today –

"Sun shining after rain."

A quiet day at home till just at night I walked up to Mr. Hinman’s for my shoe.

The first Sunday in the "new" church

Communion service at noon –

Washing &c as usual.

John & I went to Ansonia to hear Henry Ward Beecher lecture on the Household!

Carried mother down to call on Mrs. Nichols.

Went to Seymour to have my tooth taken care of. Was too late to go to the sociable & housewarming at Rev. William Bronson’s –

Burty came over to divert our monotony

Burty building cob houses –

John’s cow choked tonight and gave us a fright.

Mr. Smith of Southbury. The organ ____ and we drummed on the old melodeon again.

Some signs of rain & Burty guesses that Noah is going to have one of his floods."

Father surveying in Ansonia.

A son born to Burton & Mary Tucker.

Had my teeth filled in Seymour by Dr. Boutwell –

Orion

Nelson, Ellen and Nellie unexpectedly appeared on the scene.

Uncle Nelson went back –

Father surveying in Ansonia –

Mr. Churchill preaching. A lovely day –

Father surveying in Ansonia.

washed, dressed & baked & dressed poultry for Thanksgiving & spend the afternoon at John’s.

Carried Ellen and Nellie over to Mr. Walker’s. Oscar came home. Carrie Smith came over with her arithmetic –

Thanksgiving day – Oscar & I went to Wm. Clark’s & to Red City in the evening –

Ironed &c –

The "boys" leveling –

Carrie Smith came over with her arithmetic. The boys fussing about &c –

One of the State Missionarys (sic) Mr. Moore of Berlin preached for us to attempt to give us some statistics.

Father took Oscar to the cars and went to Ansonia – A lovely day –

Brought Lucy over from Red City –

Mary Smith and I went to the Juvenile Concert at the Center –

Aunt Esther came. She is spending the night with us.

Took Aunt Esther to spend the afternoon at Mrs. Griffin’s

Took Aunt Esther to Red City –

Mr. Churchill revived the subject of Tithes.

Carried cousin Ruth (?) to Seymour.

Made my winter hat.

Washed

Ironed &c –

"We" butchered –

John took a sudden & severe cold yesterday and is quite sick today –

John was better through the day and worse at night –

Burton had the croup last night.

A rainy day

John rather better –

Washed &c –

Sarah sick abed now.

The folks the other side of the street about so so –

Sarah does not sit up at all.

Cold as Christmas

We cleaned house and got pretty tired –

Came home from church to find Mother with a nervous headache –

Mother sick all day with neuralgia in her shoulder –

Washed &c –

Snow tonight –

Mother not as well –

Mother very sick with Rheumatic fever –

No better

About the same

And still no better –

A quiet Christmas & Mother apparantly (sic) a little better – Mr. Walker came over on foot this evening –

The catarrh complicates matters –

A slight improvement –

Mother able to have her bed made for the first time in a week.

The Christmas tree –

Mother still better. The relics of the Christmas tree came over –

Mother sat up a little –

Mother still improving

Mr. & Mrs. Walker came to see her –

Oscar & I called at Mary & Lucy’s this evening – I wrote to Lizzie King who has lost her little baby & the old year went quietly out --