'Busy at Desk all morning'
Wheaton founder Eliza Baylies Chapin Wheaton penned diaries for most of her life. When a handful of them were found earlier this year in North Carolina, the manuscripts shed light on the college, the town and the woman. For extended excerpts from the diaries, click here.
By Zephorene L. Stickney
June 24, 1867
St. Johns day—Very warm till 3 P.M. when sea fog came suddenly up & it was very chilly. President Johnson of the U.S. exhibited himself in Boston & the Masonic temple was dedicated—I had a drive with Judson about the farm in his wagon—3 letters Mr. Maltby—Prest Hart. Ins. Co.—Paint Bill ford from Lizzy—Jessica went to Boston
June 25, 1867
Drizzly—3 letters—Sister Mary Mrs. Holmes & Mrs. Metcalf. I went into Miss Luther's school—wrote 4 letters-then walked-read Guardian angel—This is the 38th anniversary of my marriage & the beloved one has been 2 1/2 yrs. in his grave—I recall it all—May I too be prepared to go.
Who was Eliza Baylies Chapin Wheaton? Was she merely the pious, kind, retiring, and gentle angel described in the hagiographic The Life of Eliza Baylies Wheaton, or the meticulous record keeper found in her cash, farm, and repair books? We now have a perspective closer to the truth from six diaries she wrote in 1869 and 1872 to 1876, along with one leaf from 1867. Although they represent only a brief period of her long life, the diaries reveal a hard-working manager of a household and farm who sometimes became excited about her mistakes, a careful businesswoman who burned quantities of family papers, a sincere and deeply faithful Christian plagued by a sense of her unbelief, a loving aunt and sister occasionally oppressed by her family's needs, and a devoted friend reticent about the shortcomings of her neighbors.
Unlike more famous diarists who write for posterity, Eliza Wheaton records everyday activities, not just important events. The richness of her diaries lies in the cumulative series of the entries—the repetitious cataloging of weather conditions, housework, local drives and walks, visits received and made, business activities, church attendance, letters received and written, trips to Boston and beyond-recording the incessant activity of this busy and earnest woman. This steady current of activity is broken only by illness, and then a different rhythm takes over-of treatments, walks and progress in regaining health. The end of each year is punctuated by a list of deaths, births, marriages, or other occurrences that emphasize the importance of people to a woman still struggling to adjust to widowhood.
Mrs. Wheaton's daily entries are compressed, written with erratic spelling, and haphazard punctuation and abbreviations. She seldom writes about national political or economic events; her acerbic comment on President Andrew Johnson (above) is one of only six or seven exceptions. Yet the diaries restore a lost substructure of life at Wheaton and Norton, giving us points of comparison to the detailed financial records and trustees' minutes that up to now have provided the bulk of our knowledge of the major founder of Wheaton College.
Life in Norton
January 18, 1869
Cloudy—Jessica & Hus. Left this morng. I went to office & with Carl walked to Con's—A letter from Cousin Hannah—Wrote Austin & Sister Mary—also Clarendon Harris—Now going to drive Blky—Tis 3 1/2-Eve. to vestry Prayer meeting—not as many out & singing bad
January 26, 1869
13d a—0 at 8 morng. I busy at Desk on Revn. Returns much of the time. I called in morng. at Mr Craigs and talkd with him about State of things in the Chh. Eve. he lectured on the words to Whom much is given &c—The day pleasant & we rode
February 2, 1869
13d a—0 Coldest morng. for a long time—This is our Chh. Fast clear & bright. Forenoon after going to Office for Mail I walked in the North Lot—to meditate & strengthen the body for more strength in examining my heart & lifting up prayer for the blessing we are perishing for—P.M. went to vestry—a teacher meeting—Eve. staid at home Mr & Mrs Craig calld
February 7, 1869
Pleasant but blustery I went to Chh. in the morng. P.M. staid at home—out in Eve. and heard Harry my cold boy make his first speech in meeting—a week ago he hopes he gave himself to Christ
February 12, 1869
38d a. 0. Mild & Sunny—Mary Fox & I walked into gravel lot, down to River—gathered mosses & came out to Tom. Carpenter's—P.M. Female prayer meeting after wh. Mrs. Beane & I rode to Chartly Sq. Eve. at home & had sad developments of H[arry].
Eliza Wheaton's religious conviction and activities within the Trinitarian Congregational Church are a recurring refrain through which she glorifies God, gives meaning to her life, and hopes for an eternal reward and life with her late husband and other loved ones. 1869 seems to have been a period of religious revival with prayer meetings at the Seminary and church vestry nearly every evening, in addition to three services on Sundays; Mrs. Wheaton attends most of them. Equally concerned about the souls of her servants Rosy McCabe and Harry and of her neighbors, she did not fear to call her minister to account. In later years, she would help with or fund improvements and renovations of the church building. The activities of her female-managed household reveal a clearer picture of the role of women in economic and religious life within and beyond the home.
April 1, 1872
All Sorts of weather—Hagerty here—var. kitchen & painted Mary's chamb—Maher here putting in Pump—Rowell left Town this morng. for our good I hope—Town Meeting—Mrs B. & I went to Brick House.
April 2, 1872
Pleasant if not so windy Benj. Briggs & wife here in the forenoon-Hagerty P.M. Mrs B. & I went to Chh. meeting—voted to invite Mr Atkinson to become stated supply. Misses Mellus & Carter called. Letter from Mary & Nell
April 3, 1872
Pleasant day—Mrs B. & I went to Boston—Investment in part & other funds—& was very busy—Both very tired
April 6, 1872
32«—50d noon Pleasant—Mrs B. made Bread & I pies—She swept like a Trojan & P.M. took her bed with chills & fever—Mary & I rode to McCabes with Rosy—Geo. went to Bos. for a man. Eve sent for Dr Round & he came about 11 1/2
A network of women and men—servants and laborers, relatives and friends—moving in and out of the household supported Mrs. Wheaton by performing heavy work, extending her social circle and enabling her to devote many resources and much time to her family, business, church and educational interests. Mrs. Wheaton's niece Mary Chapin lived with her during her final year at Wheaton Seminary, and school friends visited and rode with her.
In addition to providing companionship, Mrs. Eliza Knight Beane, principal of Wheaton Seminary from 1838 to 1840, performed a number of household duties, although she frequently became ill after strenuous work. While she may have been frail, she may also have been seeking a release from her household labors, as she recovered quickly enough to attend Seminary or other events. Eliza Wheaton's friend and neighbor George Wild acted as her assistant, business agent, and sometime handyman. Mrs. Wheaton sold dairy products and hay, and George Wild organized laborers to work her farm. It is curious to note that Eliza Beane invariably appears as "Mrs. Beane" or "Mrs. B," while Mr. Wild is almost always called "Geo."
November 11, 1872
I had a poor night & was sorry I had the sociable appointed here for tomorrow. Miss Carter came again & pulled my Back. Geo. Wild went to Boston to see Ruins by Fire
November 14, 1872
Mrs Babbitt here for Mary—Mrs Beane & Geo. went to Taunton The latter about Coal & Enquire after Insurance Cos. I at my Desk & bald up my Cash Bk.
One of the diaries' recurring themes is Mrs. Wheaton's determination to protect and improve the estate she inherited in trust for Wheaton Female Seminary. Yet in 1872 she came close to losing her main source of income, and the basis of the college's endowment: the property on Winter Street in Boston purchased long before as a dowry for Eliza Wheaton Strong.
The Great Fire of Boston burned from November 9 to 11, destroyed 65 acres and 776 buildings in the Financial District, caused $60 million in damage, and bankrupted more than 70 insurance companies. The city was destroyed from Post Office Square to Washington and Summer Streets to the wharves. The fire burned to the corner of Washington and Winter Street, within one-half block of Mrs. Wheaton's property. Laid up with a bad back, she sent George Wild to view the damage on Nov. 11, and to investigate insurance companies on Nov. 14. Within a week she was developing new insurance policies for this valuable property.
Seminary life at Wheaton
June 23, 1873
Pleasant—I card wash to Bridget & then we drove thro. the neck—P.M. at Desk several hours—After tea playd Croquette.
June 25, 1873
Pleasant & Cool except mid day—hot—Busy preparing Flowers for graduates who were here to Tea—13—dear Mary Chapin one of them—Mrs Metcalf here—44th Anniversary of my marriage
July 2, 1873
Bright fair day—Mary Chapin able to be with her class & read her Composition & Valedictory—tho. feeble
July 3, 1873
Sis. Cynthia, Br Will. Mrs. Allen, Susie Pratt Hattie Lester & Mr Emerson left to day—P.M. I went to Prep. Lecture—then calld on some of the neighbors—Mrs Met. here to Tea-Harry Barrows & wife calld
Wheaton Seminary students and teachers would have been familiar with Eliza Wheaton, at least through the 1870s. She attended concerts and lectures, walked in the lots behind the campus with her dog Carl, attended Female Prayer Meetings, gave teas for the teachers and students, and entertained the graduating classes. Her particular favorites were Principal Caroline Cutler Metcalf; Annie Carter, teacher of literature, Butler's Analogy and History; and studio art teacher Maria Mellus. Misses Mellus and Carter were lifelong friends, and the only teachers allowed to live off campus in "The Cottage." Later, younger women, such as French teacher A. Ellen Stanton and science teacher Clara Pike, became part of Mrs. Wheaton's inner circle, visiting her home for tea and dinner, riding with her or borrowing her carriage, and joining her for summer vacations.
Before Anniversary (graduation) ceremonies, Mrs. Wheaton purchased flowers and arranged bouquets as gifts for each graduate. She also rearranged bedrooms to accommodate the alumnae and trustees who visited her for a few days. The most frequent trustee visitor was the Rev. Alfred Emerson, husband of Martha Vose Emerson, who had been principal from 1840 to 1842. Several of their daughters graduated from Wheaton Seminary and also frequently visited Mrs. Wheaton.
In 1873, Mary Abbie Chapin graduated from Wheaton Seminary and gave the valedictory address. Her graduation created a gap in Mrs. Wheaton's social web, as Mary packed her belongings and moved out of the Homestead. She would remain a frequent visitor and traveling companion, however.
February 7, 1874
Snowing all forenoon but held up middle of P.M. I at Desk on farm a/c—Miss Stanton called to bring Telescope papers—I sent Geo. to Taunton about the matter—Danl. S. Cobb called in the P.M. about Note of hand to Mr Atkinson
February 18, 1874
14« a. 0—at 7 1/2 morng Lovely day—We all busy on Semy. Plans in forenoon—Tidings from Rosy that she was very low—I left the Emersons & B.H. plan & with Mr Wild drove to No. Dighton but found Rosy died at 11 1/2 Clk. morng. & She lay looking Sweet lovely in death -
March 12, 1874
15« a. 0 sunrise very raw & cold day Mrs B, Nell. & I drove round thro. neck woods—by Cath. Chh. Cop. works to Crane Road here—Tedious facing wind—P.M. I sewed on Machine after going to Store to see Georgia & Mr Rog. about Sam. to Cottage-to B.H. a moment—wh. caught fire in the morng
The year 1874 was an onerous one for Mrs. Wheaton. The furnace had to be replaced, ice blocked the eaves, the shower bath leaked, and a great deal of redecorating was necessary. Rosy McCabe Cronan, her beloved former maid, died following childbirth; Mrs. Wheaton sent her Irish maid Maggie to represent her at the Catholic funeral. The Seminary Boarding House caught fire one morning while Mrs. Wheaton and the trustees were busy planning its expansion. She purchased a telescope for the Seminary but installing it proved complicated. She tried unsuccessfully to rent the Hotel (Wheaton Inn) and interest various ladies in the Seminary. The gardens, shrubberies and dairy work demanded attention. She helped to redecorate the church vestry, and the Rev. Atkinson resigned and later died.
All these events, together with her frequent trips to Boston and Taunton, continued to wear down Mrs. Wheaton's stamina. April's diary entries frequently conclude with "v. tired." She rented carriages while in Boston rather than walking and was too weary to attend church. A vacation in Little Compton with her many friends did little to improve her health. During the eight months between mid-June 1874 and early February 1875, this inveterate diarist skipped 86 entries, or 35 percent of 244 days.
Medical and health issues
February 7, 1875
Clifton Springs Ontario Co. N.Y—Cold day—Mrs B. & Susie Plympton went P.M. to Bible Class Chapel—After which I walked with Mrs Beane.
February 8, 1875
16ª b. 0. Bitter cold day—I went to See Dr Prince at the Sanitarium & put myself under his care—P.M. walk.d with Mrs Beane.
February 15, 1875
Walked in forenoon then laid down after dinner—At 3 3/4 took Electro Chem. Bath pretty hot & Severe#151;Came over a freshly washed floor & took cold—Chilly in Eve#151;& sore flesh
March 2, 1875
Snow flakes falling a little—some 4 or 5 inches Snow fell yes. I took elec. Chem. Bath about 11_45 morng—Almost blistered by Iodine—I walk about 5 with Mrs Beane
Mrs. Wheaton and Mrs. Beane devoted much of 1875 to regaining their health, spending nearly four months at the sanitarium in Clifton Springs, N.Y. Two months of almost daily salt baths, salt rubs, and electro-chemical baths irritated Mrs. Wheaton's skin and kept her awake scratching until she found relief in sulfur baths. Another doctor suggested electro-thermo baths and salt sponges; it is not surprising that by the time she returned home on May 27, she was still feeling "feeble."
Epilogue
While Mrs. Wheaton's diaries provide important new insight into her life and the Norton of the 1870s, we can only know what she chooses to tell us. Her circumspect entries only occasionally include a wry comment about a family member or neighborhood gossip, and the only emotion she expresses refers to her faith, her late husband, or the death of family members. The lives of many other people can be followed within these small volumes, which introduce more stories than we can follow without further research. The diaries end with the beginning of a new era at the seminary following the retirement of Principal Caroline Cutler Metcalf, and raise as many questions as they answer.
The quest for full appreciation of the rich contents of these diaries has only begun. We are challenged to read closely, to dig deeper, to compare them to a wide range of sources including cash and farm books, wills, tax lists and assessors' records, deeds, court records, and seminary trustees' minutes and correspondence, as well as the Bible and novels, religious tracts, and other materials read by Mrs. Wheaton. There is much more to be learned about Eliza Baylies Wheaton, Wheaton Female Seminary and Norton in the 1870s. And we can continue to hope that additional diaries may someday be found.
Zephorene L. Stickney is Wheaton's college archivist and Special Collections curator. For extended excerpts from the diaries, click here.
