The diaries of Eliza Wheaton
The excerpts presented below represent just a portion of the diaries' full content.
1869
January 18
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 19
Colder then for several days. Geo. in to talk about steers. I at Desk till late P.M. Mrs B. & I rode to Mich Allens corner—Eve. at Mr Craig's Lecture—"I can do all things thro. Christ who strengtheneth me. After meeting we run up figures on Farm & Repair Book —
January 24
Pleasant, Rosey went at 7.1/2 for Chh. Mr Craig morng. Tex "I[n] the last day the great day of the feast Jesus stood & cried &c. P.M. Eph. 5—14 awake thou &c—good sermons—but a want of laying open the heart. House unusually full—also at Eve —
January 26
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
January 27
Pleasant, & mild—We rode I at Desk—A letter from Austin. Eve. went to meeting very interesting to see more feeling—I said a few words
January 31
Pleasant but windy—I did not feel quite as well as usual & staid at home forenoon & went P.M. & Eve. Text Today if ye will hear his voice &c—Solemn—Eve Harry hoped he gave himself to Christ —Oh! what a blessed gift—of the spirit
February 1
Pleasant—Hary still hopes he has given his heart to Christ—Eve he went to talk with Mr Craig—Mrs B. & I rode to Annis Lincoln's about Annis Note—& P.M. towards Mansfield—Blacky is gay—Eve. Mary Fox came—Mrs Metcalf called —
February 2
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 5
Pleasant—I took the girls M. Fox & Annie out to ride in carriage. P.M. Female prayer meeting 9 present. Eve. girls went to Semy. meeting by Rev. Geo. E. Allen—Mrs B & I tired —
February 6
Pleasant but cold Mary Chapin and Amelia Marvel here to dine with M. Fox & Annie Chapin on Turkey—P.M. Susie Pratt here to Tea and rode to Dal. Cobb's to get surveying done & retd around Olum Clapps
February 7
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 8
10d a.0— Pleasant—I went out at nine morng. to have Dr Round's land surveyed & walked about the grounds—Annie left in P.M. Train we then drove to Danl. Cobbs—& around Olum Clapp's —
February 9
Like a spring day—I walked to Chloe's & then went to Desk & wrote Deed for Sophia M. Round—Assr Roach called & recd. Revenue Returns—I was then champooed—then rode with Mrs B. round Barrows Sq. Eve. Dr Round in.
February 12
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].
1872
April 1
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
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
Pleasant day—Mrs B. & I went to Boston—Investment in part & other funds—& was very busy—Both very tired —
April 6
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 [trumpery?]—Geo. went to Bos. for a man. Eve sent for Dr Round & he came about 11 1/2 —
April 8
Rainy—Mrs Beane very feeble & on bed. Margaret Magner came today to live with me from Webster—I very tired —
April 12
Pleasant—I feeling well nigh sick & went to Bed in forenoon— Mrs Beane some better. Maggie out at Eve. —
April 15
I went to Taunton & bot me Brilliantine Dress—Mrs Beane rode to Depot but still feeble. —Misses Mellus Carter & Fann drove Blky.
April 16
Drizzly day of snow & sleet—Geo. went to Boston & brot out Sam. W. Gusher of Appleton Me. to work on Farm. Mrs Babbitt came this P.M. to work—Dr Round here & gave Mrs Beane med.
April 17
Pleasant—Geo. went to Brighton to buy Oxen—Lizzie went to Boston—Morng. I workd 17 lbs Butter & lumpd it—tired P.M. stiched trimming on dress & then rode with Mrs Metcalf—Mrs Babbit here. Mrs Beane went to Taunton Maggie rode —
April 19
Pleasant—Mrs Babbitt here—Mrs Beane went to Taunton again for steel cold. Dress—Mrs Metcalf & I rode. P.M. went to Mrs Patten's funeral— I very tired —
April 20
Warm—Mary & I went to Boston—I went to Dr Garratt & took Electricity —
April 22
Mrs. Babbitt here for Mrs Beane— I went to Boston to Dr Garratt & back at noon—P.M. at Desk 2 hours or so— Dr Deans of Easton died this P.M. 4, o'clk aged 77 yrs —
April 27
Pleasant—left in 8 1/4 Train for Uxbridge via Prov. reached them about 1. P. M. Found them all in usual— Adol. gave me P. Attny. saw Mary Fox & baby
April 29
Pleasant—Left Ux. at 8:20, reached Bos. 20 of 11. Went Sub. Treas. & did Adol. business & Deptd in M.S. Bank. Then to Dr Garratt & home at 3 1/4— Then to Desk—after tea with Mrs B to Parsonage—Peggy here Eve wrote 2 letters —
April 30
Pleasant—Churned by Geo—Mrs Babbit here in P.M. 3 or 4 hours—cutting my Brilliantine—after wh. I rode with Mrs Beane & Mary— Eve. at Desk —
May 2
Began to drizzle about 11 morng. I drove to Hagerties Mrs Briggs & Depot—Dining room carpet taken up & all hands picking off paper—Mrs Wild gone to N.Y. Her Mother very sick —
November 10
I laid up with crick in the back—all went to meeting but myself—Maggie went to her meeting. Miss Carter came & pulled my back.
November 11
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 12
Rather cloudy thro. the day & by Eve. began to rain—& in the Eve was tempestuous—14 of neighbors & 27 from Bdg. House came to Sociable—I kept my chamber
November 14
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.
November 18
Pleasant—Mrs Beane & I went to Bos. I took some of my papers from Un. Safe—saw the fire Ruins, & Will Pearce— Eve. wrote Mary & Jennie —
November 19
Pleasant—Mrs Babbitt here for Mrs Beane— I at Desk most of day bal my Book a/c—& Eve. on Policies— Walked an hour or so with Ellen —raw air—called at Chloe's a little while.
November 21
Very cold morng—Mrs Babbit finished Marys sewing— I on Diagram of Home Building for new Policies—Arthur Round called Mrs Beane went to meeting—I have cold —
1873
June 23
Pleasant — I card wash to Bridget & then we drove thro. the neck— P.M. at Desk several hours—After tea playd Croquette—
June 24
Mrs Briggs here forenoon on Piazza &c—Butter lumpd Cake made— Nellie went to Taun after Tea we rode. Eve. Mary Wild in to call —
June 25
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
June 28
Very warm. P.M. Thunder Storm & rain—Saml. helpd me to relay my chamber carpet & sundry things —changed Beds —
June 30
Busy preparing for Anniversary—Went to Laundress with clothes— Mary Chapin feeble with Erysipelas —
July 1
Quite warm —Mrs. Allen & Mary Abie Hattie Lester & Mr Emerson Sis. Cynthia & Bro. Willd came to stop with us — P.M. I went in to Exam. Rained very hard about Tea time & thro. the Eveg —
July 2
Bright fair day— Mary Chapin able to be with her class & read her Composition & Valedictory—tho. feeble —
July 3
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 —
July 7
Pleasant—I drove to Bridget's—Mrs Babbitt here to work for me. Mary A Chapin left for 1 3/4 P.M. Train for Home with Bag. gathered for 5 years. P.M. I took Geo. to Barrowsville Depo. for Providence to repair mower —
1874
February 3
Very stormy in forenoon from Snow—P.M. rain & sleet— Mrs Metcalf came in to dine & talk over Semy. matters Eve. we read "10 yrs in Washington
February 4
Pleasant—Maggie washed—Mrs B — did various things in the kitchen— P.M. after writing Letters—Mrs B & I called at Mrs Caswell's Mrs Beach's Miss Mary Rogerson's & Mr Freeman's— Eve Mr Rogerson call by my request to talk over Semy. matters
February 6
8° below 0. very cold morng but moderated to 18 or 20 above 0 by noon— a bright day—Geo. still getting logs to mill— P.M. Fem. prayer meeting—after wh. Mrs B. & I walked to Con's with Xmas gifts at this late day—6 children & oldest not quite 11—Eveg. wrote —
February 7
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 8
13° a. 0 at 7 1/2— Bright but cold—We have leakages from Eves troughs filling with ice—Geo. attempted to open them— Mr Atkinson's morng text. Luke 8—18—&c. P.M. John 7—17"— Good— Rev. Geo. Allen & Wife there in the P.M.— Eve. at the Seminy at Monthly Concert—Madagan
February 17
Clear & cold—Geo. went with Hay to Mason's. Mrs & Mr Emerson came in 12—10 Train to visit & for us to settle on plan. A letter from Mary Lynch & Owen saying Rosey was worse—Mr Cobb in P.M. to plan—Eve Sociable at B.H. We did not go. Eve Florence came —
February 18
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
February 19
Lovely—about like yesterday for mildness—Mr & Mrs Emerson left this morng. in Mr Babbitt called to pay his mother's rent— P.M. Mrs B. Florence & I drove to Mansfield to get flowers for Rosey's coffin—We went to Mr McC.'s with them but they were gone & left them with Mrs Harris—Eve we went to meeting —
February 2
Cleared off from drizzle of last night & Maggie went to Rosy's funeral—at Taunton—I drove with her to Depot & then Mr Harris—Mrs Metcalf very sick—taken last night—Female prayer meeting P.M.—Eve. a postal card saying Dr H. Baylies died on 17th —
February 24
Furnace taken apart. Cloudy & raw—Two Furnace men from Bos. are here overhauling our Furnace. & we are in Dining Room— Mrs B./ & I are reading 10 yrs in Washington —
February 25
Colder—comd. snowing about noon. and is falling fast. Furnace men left here in 1/4 2 train—Patrick Cronan called in P.M. & sat an hour. He brot. the Baby to Mrs McCabe's
February 27
Patrick here in P.M. in trouble about demands made on him— Mrs B. & I went to Taunton in the morng. saw Dr Blake P.M. Female prayer meeting— Geo. went to Taunton Mason's Stock Stable with hay— Sleighing in Taunton
March 2
Mrs B. went with me to Boston—I went to my vault and then to Banks—Bot. Mary Chapin Silk dress—& did other business—Home at 5 1/2— Mrs McCabe here in morng. to see me but in my absence unbosomed to Maggie —
March 3
Mrs McCabe called & relieved her mind about Patrick. Wheatons here for 56—Telescope came this Eve. Eve. Sister Mary came—at 9 1/2 Mr Emerson came.
March 4
Mild & pleasant rain—Mr E. Wroth in the morng. & P.M. worked on Bdg. H. plans— Mr Emerson & Mr Cobb went to take measurements at B.H. Ding room —
March 5
Bright & pleasant —Forenoon on plans for new house—over to Bd. House to See Mr E. measure some rooms— He left for home in 1/4 2 Train—I drove out & in from Depot 3 times for fresh air—with the Ladies—Eve. Sister & Mrs. B. went with me to vestry meeting. 2d coal used
March 11
Snow by Squalls—disagreeable day. Conslt. on B.H. placement to day— Messrs Chase, Blake Emerson & Rogerson present—Charles Sumner died this P.M. 3, o'clk—agd 63— Mr Emerson retd home in 5 1/4 train. Geo. took him to Depot —
March 12
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 —
1875
February 6
Albany—Cold day—Left the Delaware House at 8—45 in Drawg. Car for Syracuse 148 where we Exchangd cars for Clifton Springs 64 mls. thro the Mohawk Valley Snow very deep—But after leaving Sycarus not much snow—Stop at Foster House—Room 5 —
February 7
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
16° 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 9
12. b. 0. Most vigorous day we have felt—Snowing, & blowing and impossible to keep warm—Eugene Chapin & Jennie Draper came about 9 morng. & left about 3 P.M. Mrs Beane at Eve sick from chills & bowel con
February 10
Moderated—& quiet air—I took my first bath (Salt) this morng. Enjoyed it much. P.M. walked about—Mrs B. sick tho. has been to take first Salt Bath —
February 11
Howling kind of day—Mrs B. confined to the room—tho. some better—At 4 P.M. I took Salt Bath—but did not go out only to the San.n Eve. & night cold in our room —
February 12
Some Sunshine— Mrs B. still sick. 4 P.M. took my first Electro Chem. Bath —
February 15
Walked in forenoon then laid down after dinner—At 3 3/4 took Electro Chem. Bath pretty hot & Severe—Came over a freshly washed floor & took cold—Chilly in Eve— & sore flesh —
February 22
Milder—melting in the St. went for Salt rub—about 10 1/2— Headachy & P.M. neuralgia on my face —. Walked with Mrs Beane in P.M. Eve. in Parlor with some company —
February 23
Very mild—went into Gymnasium at 11:20 took elec. Bath—Headachy and P.M. was almost sick —Mrs Thatcher calld in the Eve. Methodist Ministers wife from Chicago —
March 2
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 —
March 22
Pleasant—I saw Dr Prince & took salt bath in forenoon—Had a large mail & wrote to Geo. on business—then Mrs B. & I walkd some. Miss Thompson call'd —
March 23
Very cold last night but beautiful sunny day—I took Elec. Chem. bath and P.M. laid down for a long nap— after wh. Mrs B. & I walked—Eve Mrs Hudson & Mrs Doris calld—my arm very bad from letters —
March 30
Pleasant—Took Elec. Chem. after seeing Dr Prince. It irritated my Skin very much
March 31
Pleasant—I had a bad night for State of Skin—Saw Dr P. with Mrs Howe. He ordered a bath specially prepared at 3 1/2 P.M. wh. soothed me —
April 1
Pleasant—Mrs B. has headache & is feeble—I had a good nights sleep tho. did an amt. of Scratching —Entertainment at the Even —
April 5
Pleasant—took sulpher bath for the first time—It allayed the itching— P.M. we walked toward "Rocky run "—
April 6
Pleasant—Saw Dr Prince—took 2d Sulp. Bath —
1876
June 14
Had graduating Class of 5 and Mrs Metcalf and Miss Carter, Mellus, Stanton, Pike, Gilman, Tappen Teachers & Mrs Streeter from Toledo—to Tea—a pleasant visit to us. & I hope to them—Trustee. Meeting to choose Miss Haskell for Principal— Mr Emerson here to dine —
June 15
Miss Haskell came from Providence to see Mrs Metcalf & the school—She has been invited to be Principal of the Seminary— Dr Blake call.d also—Mr Gibbs in to tea
June 17
Still warm—Drove out in morng. with Mrs Metcalf to D. Arnolds for Strawberries—Mrs M. in an unhappy frame of mind about leaving the Seminary She with Mr & Mrs Harrison Misses Haskell & Briggs here to Tea.
