DIARY OF MRS. - DR. H. M. CLARK
Dear Mother:
I thought I should continue my journal no longer but find I cannot live without writing everything to you.
June 21, 1818 – Clear and warm. Sunday went to Clarksfield to meeting with Mrs. Pierce. Doctor stayed at home.
22d. Pleasant weather. Doctor carried my letter to Mr. Wakeman and went in pursuit of pork. I washed in forenoon and in the afternoon went with Mrs. Canfield to visit Leota (Mrs. Pierce), returned about sundown. Doctor did not get home. I was left alone to enjoy my thoughts which were constantly with you. I got your letter but could not find your person, in short, my face was covered with tears from before dark until ten or eleven o’clock when I closed my eyes in sleep and knew no more until morning.
23rd. Tuesday. Business engrossed my attention so that in some measure I forgot you. Pleasant weather. I wet cloth and mended my under brown bedtick. Doctor got back before night with the provisions – distance he had to go and prices my last informed you.
24th. Wednesday. Rained hard in the middle of the day. Doctor salted down pork and hung our fish up to dry; the rest of the day he spent making benches to supply the place of chairs, while I tried to braid and sew bulrushes into a hat, but they would not do.
25th. Thursday. Pleasant weather. Doctor worked for A. Canfield. I did my work and went to making over my nankeen into a frock. Have made over my old gingham into a gown. It looks very well. Mr. Canfield brought me some straw from Florence. Have filled one bed.
26th. Friday. Doctor began to cut underbrush for the house.
I wet cloth - finished my nankeen.
27th. Saturday. Pleasant weather. Doctor cut underbrush around where we are going to have the house, while I baked, ironed and mended for Saturday (which in a general way get done before) mended my bags, washed my floor, etc. Leota came down here in the forenoon and brought three of her children and stayed till the middle of the afternoon and Mrs. Bristol was here too. Have wet my cloth a week today - it is almost white enough.
28th. Sunday. Very warm with now and then a few drops of rain. Doctor had a call to visit Oliver Brooks in the settlement. We went to meeting and did not get home till night. I am left at home alone. Have wandered about to give full vent to my feelings. Found several bunches of strawberries. It is noon. I behold you and a part of your family returning from worship, surrounded with company, uncles, aunts and others. I behold some going into your shed, Aunt Margery in particular. They go out to the currant bushes which are now beckoning with their long strings red as crimson, to come and taste. Oh, how plain I can see them and how much I would give to be there, not so much to partake of your dainties as we are deprived of, as to enjoy the company of my most dear friends. Oh, my dear Mother, how many hours I spend in longing and longing to see you and your whole household and wonder why I did not enjoy your presence more while I was with you. If I ever was to live there again you may depend upon it, I should know how to prize you. I am determined, if I live, to come to Britain. Feel worse today than common. I had forgot to tell you in my journal of last Thursday, I went up to Leota to send for butter. We could have it in the settlement, then went after rushes, secured all my tin and pewter. Got about done at noon, have been lame and most sick ever since. Whilst I am writing you are in meeting for P.M. Goodby for today.
29th. Monday. Have been washing this forenoon and would gladly devote the afternoon to you and in helping you to work, but it is impossible. Shall take my bombazine petticoat to go down and see the doctor work. He has begun to cut a place for the house.
30th. Tuesday. Very warm. Had Erastus French to work for us. Finished my petticoat, ironed clothes, made part of a cambric ruffle out of my coarse cambric. Went in the afternoon to see them work.
July 1, 1818. Wednesday. Have done my patching for the week. Mr. Pierce’s old mare came down here. Mrs. Canfield and myself rode up to see Leota awhile in the forenoon. In the afternoon went down to see Doctor work and finished my ruffle.
2nd. Thursday. Very warm and pleasant. Thunder shower in the afternoon. Doctor went to hoe corn for A. Pierce. I began to make over my black bonnet. Had to bake. Leota was down here all the afternoon with Anna and Minot. A Mr. Stiles family moved by here to Clarksfield from New York. A family of ten, an old maid that is a tailor for men’s clothes as well as women’s. They have been 7 or 8 weeks on the road and by their tell had as hard times and as much mud as we had.
3rd. Doctor went to work for Amiel again and I went with him, early in the morning and stayed with Leota all day. Finished my bonnet, made it as it was before and it looks nearly as well. I likewise made a bluish pocket handkerchief, I got at Asa J’s and began that gingham one for Doctor. I got to Canfield’s, Mrs. Bristol was there. Cloudy but no rain. Returned home with Doctor before dark. Took my cloth out of the lye just two weeks after it was put in. It is a good white.
July 4th. Independence Day. Very warm and pleasant. Doctor worked for Pierce again and I washed out some fine clothes and my woolen clothes I wore on the road and my light faded calico bed quilt. It got dirty on the road and I have kept it on my bed since. Got my washing done by noon, then put trimming on to Mrs. Canfield’s bonnet. It looks better shape than at first. Took the trimming off from mine, ironed over the bonnet. Ironed my fine clothes and fixed my ruffles, washed my lace ruffle and made some holes in it. How does Nancy and Caroline stand it? They must be careful of themselves.
5th. Sunday. Intended to go to meeting but it rained in the forenoon, preventing. Clear in the afternoon. Read some and had a more comfortable Sunday than the last.
6th. Monday. Had Samuel Bristol and Seymour Johnson to work for us cutting house logs and clearing a place for the house, in the forenoon. Did my washing, got dinner for my men - in the afternoon went down to see them work. It began to rain. I got wet through to the skin and our men had to go home.
July 7th. A Canfield worked for us. Drew logs for the house. Got the bottom logs laid and the floor timbers on. I did my work and began school. Had only Canfield’s children. Ironed my clothes and made Doctor’s white handkerchief, I got at Canfield’s store. (Talk about raising tomorrow. Rain in the morning, clear the rest of the day.)
8th. Wednesday. Doctor started early, collected all the Wakeman men and three teams, got them to drawing logs and laying the lower ones while he went to Florence to invite raisers, got whiskey and got home by noon. I had to stir myself pretty lively, had to bake, prepare myself, my house and victuals for visitors. Invited Mrs. Pierce and Mrs. Bristol. (Had to get dinner for six men, got it all out of the way and ready to receive visitors by one or two o’clock. Waited impatiently for them to come. Mrs. Canfield and myself went to see them raise awhile and Lemuel Pierce came and said his mother had a visitor from Florence, Erastus French’s intended wife. We sent back for them to come, but it was too late and they did not and we concluded, after fixing so much, we would see someone, we got onto an old white horse that stood at the door and went up there and drank tea and got back before sundown. When it came night I was almost tired to death. Had such a pain in my side I could hardly walk and was obliged to go to bed as soon as possible. I do not think I am as hearty as I was last summer, for when I work hard I have a pain in my side. I sometimes wonder that I am alive after my fatiguing journey. Was cloudy in the middle of the day and threatened rain but finally cleared off and was very pleasant weather. There were only three men came from Florence and they did not get it raised, only one log above the chamber sleepers.
9th. Thursday. All Wakeman men came to finish the raising. Had my work to do and get dinner for six men again. Went down two or three times to see them work. Kept school. (It is my rule to keep school two hours in the forenoon and the same in the afternoon.) Leota was down here for a visit. (I cut out four new shirts. My cloth is as white as snow. I have never seen a time since I kept house when I felt so much at liberty as of late and had so little to do.) My sewing is about done and I should have time to be as nice as anyone if it was my disposition to be so and it is not my intention to slight my work in the least. Tell Grandma I should have no objection to her looking as particular as when I lived at Aunt Annie’s, if she could but get here. It has taken all the Wakeman men to finish raising the house. Doctor caught a rabbit.
July 10th. (Town meeting again today. The men have all come to get out the shingles and get on the roof, cut out doors and windows - shall mote in a few days. Dinner to get for them again. Got on pot, made a pudding and stewed my rabbit. Kept school. Just before night, went down to see the house and in coming back, my home and my absent friends suddenly rushed upon my mind and it seemed to me more than I could bear. Got past my home, seated myself upon a log in sight of no one and gave full vent to my grief.) Oh, how every thought and recollection of my home came upon me. I thought of the time when I was there and could associate with you, when you could come to our house and enjoy the blessed sweets of each other’s company. Yes, every such privilege as this rushed with fury upon my mind. I likewise thought of that cruel and hard heart I had, thus to part with my friends. Oh, that parting moment when I was seated in the wagon to take perhaps a final farewell of all this world holds dear to me, when I bid Grandmother farewell as she stood with weeping eyes to take her last look and I turned my back upon them. Oh, how my heart aches and the tears bedew my cheeks while writing this scene. No mortal tongue can express my feelings at this time, how I caught the last glimmer of the dear old habitation, the fields, the trees and everything else seemed to wear a glossy aspect at my departure. Were the ways of Heaven more dark than in my leaving you? When I think of the little probability I have of seeing you again it seems as if I must fly instantly, fly to you. No pen can describe my feelings there for one hour. How I wanted to know how you were and what you were doing. I have not heard a word from you since I bid you farewell at New Milford except by Mr. Wakeman. It seems as if I must receive a letter soon. It is now two weeks and two days since Mr. Wakeman started and in two weeks more, expect you will get the letters. How long the time will appear to you. The letter I wrote on the road, dated April 25th, you would receive in about ten days and from that time until you receive the letters by Wakeman will be at least 12 or 13 weeks if they come safe. Friday night - they have got the roof nearly on.
July 11. Saturday. (Got out shingles enough to finish the roof and side and ends. I had to cook for my men. Kept school and made a slipper for Mrs. Canfield’s baby. Very hot weather indeed and very dry.)
July 12. Sunday. Very warm, about the same as yesterday. Had concluded to put up Mr. Canfield’s oxen into a wagon and go to meeting, but it was so very warm that Canfield would not venture and I had to stay at home again. Went with Doctor down to the windfall to see the potatoes and on the road he killed a rattlesnake with nine rattles on it. We found ripe cupberries and blackberries beginning to ripen. Read some in the Bible and Saints’ Rest and passed away the sabbath without any other particulars.
13th. (Doctor went up to the settlement for boards. Got a floor laid and a pen made for the calf. I did my washing and sewed some on one of my shirts, besides school.) Leota was here. Hardly so warm today. People here think there has not been so warm weather for years as yesterday and the day before. Have not had our doors or windows shut since Saturday morning.
14th. (Doctor worked at the house. Made a roost for the hens and fixed so that we could move next day. I kept school in the afternoon. Took my scholars and went up to Leota’s. Mrs. Bristol and Mrs. Canfield were there.
July 15th. (Still warm weather. In forenoon helped move down to our new house. Baked, cleaned up my room and taught the children at school. Got ready to go down to my house middle of the afternoon. I had no bedstead or shelf and what to do with all the things I know not. Mrs. Bristol came down and we drank tea with Mrs. Canfield. In the evening a young man by the name of Crampton came to get me to make a dickey or shirtee, a handkerchief and a frock. Must have the two first done by Saturday night.
16th. Doctor worked for Pierce. I put my things in as good order as I could. Made the handkerchief and taught school. Warm and pleasant.
*18th. Doctor worked for French again. I taught school. Finished my things, washed them and pleated the ruffle. Thunder in the afternoon and threatened a shower but went over and came off clear.
*17th. Doctor worked for E. French. I worked on the dickey what time I had besides school.
19th. Sunday. How I long to spend the day with friends, but instead of that went to meeting with Mr. Canfield in a wagon drawn by oxen (now this you be laughing at). There were more than fifty there. Sung N. Durham, Coronation and China. Did very well. Doctor stayed at home. Very warm, and a thunder shower caught us out just before we got to the schoolhouse.
20th. Doctor worked for Bristol. I taught school and worked on Harry Crampton’s frock.
21st. Doctor worked again for Bristol. Taught school as usual and finished the frock. Went up to see Leota. She gave me some strained pumpkin and milk.
22nd. Doctor went to the windfall to hoe his potatoes. I baked bread and six pumpkin pies in my frying pan. School.
23rd. Doctor went to the windfall again. I washed before school time and sewed on my shirts. Some rain in the afternoon. Marshall Johnson came to help chink up the house.
24th. Clear and pleasant. I began to make a vest for Carlon Canfield. Had Leota and Mrs. Canfield for a visit. Got roasted fish, bread and butter, pumpkin pie and some of Nancy’s sponge cake, but no table. Doctor hoed potatoes in the windfall.
25th. Doctor finished his potatoes. I finished the vest. Baked some bread. Last week earned by sewing 58 cts. this week 42cts., besides school.
July 26th. Sunday. Rainy all day, intended to have gone to meeting but rain prevented.
27th. Clear and pleasant. Doctor went to harvesting with Canfield. I washed and baked at Canfield’s, made a part of a bonnet for Leota and taught school.
28th. Doctor went to Canfield’s again. I finished the bonnet and wrote letters for Betsy Canfield and to yourself, besides school. Good harvest weather.
29th. Doctor went to Canfield’s again. I wrote what time I had besides school. Finished my letter, went and read part of it to Mrs. Canfield.
30th. Rained some. Wrote all day besides school. Doctor worked for Bristol.
31st. Finished the letter and sent it. School. Doctor worked for Bristol. Journal to be continued, 1818.
August 1, 1818. Fixed over my pink gingham. Baked some bread. Taught school and went after blackberries. Got between two and three quarts.
2nd. Sunday. Very warm and a thunder shower just at night. Doctor and I went to meeting. I rode in Canfield’s wagon in the forenoon. Heard a Methodist exhort. Dr. Betts preached in the afternoon from these words "Be Ye Also Ready". Got home just as it began to rain.
3rd. Washed in the morning after school. Went to see Leota. Two Connecticut men came along from Hartford (but that was not from you). Doctor went to Bristol’s.
4th. Still pleasant. Baked with Mrs. Canfield. After school went with Leota, Ruth Squire and Mrs. Bristol to the windfall after blackberries. They all came here to tea. Had fish, bread and butter, some little cakes, cucumbers and blackberry sauce.
5th. Began to make a frock for H. Crampton, besides school. Doctor has begun to work at home cutting some trees. In the night he was sent for to visit the man bitten by a rattle snake. He objected to going but they said they did not expect him to live through then night and it would be a great satisfaction to his wife and friends, he therefore went. It was about five miles. I got up and went to Canfield’s and staid the rest of the night.
August 6, 1818. Doctor got home before we were up. Worked at home. News came that a girl by the name of Slater was dead. Her complaint was bilious fever. She lived in Florence one mile east of the school house. I taught school in the morning. Set out for the funeral on foot with Leota and Mrs. Canfield. Had not got far before we heard she was interred in the forenoon. We kept on and went to Mr. Crampton’s for a visit, the first house in Florence above Bristol’s; got home about dark.
7th. Clear and pleasant. Doctor worked at home. I taught school and went after blackberries.
8th. Doctor worked at home and I taught school and went after blackberries.
9th. Sunday. Doctor and I went to the windfall to see the garden. Rained the rest of the day.
10th. A man by the name of Amil Blackman came after Doctor to visit his child, with the same disorder and in the neighborhood where the child died. He said Mr. Slater had lost another child with the same fever. Dr. Betts was their physician. Doctor went and had to visit another man by the name of Seele in the same neighborhood. Did not get back till night. I worked on Frampton’s frock and went with Ann Crane and Mrs. Bristol after blackberries.
11th. Finished the Crampton frock. Doctor worked at home. School every day.
12th. Clear till towards night then thunder and lightning. A man came for Doctor to visit the sick, after school. I went to see Leota and stayed for Doctor to come along. Carried my shirts to iron and worked on my ruffle. It was nearly dark when he came along and had to go half a mile through the woods. Thunder and lightning was terrible.
13th. Clear and pleasant. Doctor started again in the morning to visit the sick. Was gone all day. I did my washing before school, went to Canfield’s to rinse my clothes through. There was a family there moving to the south. They had a little girl nearly three years old. Her name was Maria, and now imagine to yourself my tender feeling. I took the child in my arms and pressed her to my bosom. Tears of grief stole unpermittedly down my cheeks. I was obliged to cover my face to keep the emotion in my mind concealed. How fresh this brought our little Maria to my mind. Her hair was about the same color, about as long, braided and tied on top of her head in the same manner you formerly fixed Maria’s. I let the little girl go from my arms reluctantly and went home to give full vent to my feelings.
14th. Clear and pleasant with cool mornings and evenings. Doctor went to visit the sick. I patched a pair of velvet trousers, ironed my clothes and patched them and made two shirt boddices for myself, besides school. Mrs. Canfield was here just at night.
August 15th.
Doctor worked at home. I made sleeves to my shirts and some ruffles. Kept school. Doctor went just at dark after blackberries.
16th. Sunday. Very warm. Doctor and I set out in good season for meeting. I rode with Capt. Pierce. Doctor was called at noon to see the sick. Heard a Methodist exhort all day.
17th. Doctor got home. I did my washing before school, had school out in good season. Went with Mrs. Pierce and Mrs. Canfield to visit Mrs. Bristol. Was cloudy all day and began to rain as soon as we got there and came home in the rain.
18th. Clear and pleasant. Got over my black to color. Braided some straw and went after blackberries. Doctor went to visit the sick again.
19th. Clear most of the day. Doctor worked for Canfield’s, I taught school, went to Canfield’s to bake. Leota went after blackberries.
20th. Did not feel very well. Doctor worked for Canfield’s. Worked on my ruffle after school and went after blackberries with Mrs. Bristol.
21st. Very warm. Doctor worked for Bristol. There was no school. Joe (Joel?) Crane came here. Had seen him before. Took my ruffle and worked with Mrs. Canfield till noon. Just got home when Ruth Squire and her sister, Mrs. John Brooks, came after blackberries and I went with them.
22nd. Doctor burned brush at home. I taught school, ironed my clothes and just at night went with Doctor after blackberries.
23rd. Sunday. Very warm. Doctor went again to visit the sick. I was left at home alone. No work to take attention. Sunday and alone is a fine time for my homesick thoughts to hover around and force their way into my breast (remonstration is in vain). For a few days and nights my feelings have been more than common, while awake, with regards to you, the length of time that has elapsed since I have heard from you, the great distance we are from each other and the reception of no letters from you, at times conspire to make me miserable. When I lay my head on my pillow to rest, my first thought is with you, and how many sobs, sights and heart-achings I have, my dearest of mothers, you do not know and never will know, for tongue or pen could not express them. With such reflections as these the Sabbath passed away and Doctor returned, but the sun had scarcely hid herself and shed her last twinkling rays on the tops of the trees when Leota sent Lemuel for us to come up there. I eagerly inquired what was the matter, supposing some of them to be very sick, and the answer was "David and Smith have come". Oh, how my heart gladdened within me. I imagined (inquired?) what they have got for us and he said "five or six letters". You will know it did not take me long to prink. Doctor and (I) started off. I rode on the Pierce old mare with Mrs. Canfield. When we got there they stood out the door, shook hands with us and we went into the house. Leota asked me to take off my things. My heart was too full for utterance. David brought me four letters, some patterns and another packet larger. What this contained I could not imagine. In the first place I opened my letters, then viewed the box and its contents. After reading over my letters I got composed, inquired some about Britain people and returned home, after obtaining a promise from them to visit us early in the morning. After we got home, took a retrospective view of my letters and other things and went to rest, but my thoughts were too much taken up for sleep the first part of the night.
August 24, 1818. Very warm day. Arose betimes this morning. Had some blackberry vinegar to prepare, scoured a few things and did my housework, which I got through with before I ventured to take my letters and read them over, compared your journal with mine and looked over the things very thoroughly again. David came at noon a short time and again after school. Inquired of him very particular. Worked some on my ruffle. Doctor went to visit the sick.
25th. Very warm all day with now and then a little distant thunder. Hardstorm at night. Doctor at home. I have been baking by the fire, taught school and began to write off journal to you, wrote till just at night, then went after blackberries.
*27th. Clear and warm again. No school. Doctor is splitting rails at home. I have been scouring my tin and pewter and writing off my journal. Just at night went to Amiel’s (Pierce) of an errand.
*26th. Did my housework, wrote off journal, after school went to see Leota and read her letters. In afternoon Doctor went after Potatoes.
28th. Pleasant weather. Before school I washed some brown clothes, washed my floor and did my housework, did a cap for Mrs. Canfield, after school sewed on the girls’ workbags and wrote off journal of the weather, towns, rivers, etc. on the road.
August 29th. Went to Amiel’s in the morning, got back between eleven and twelve. Got dinner, then taught school till four or five o’clock, sewed on the girls’ pockets in the meantime. After school ate a watermelon with the Doctor in just two months after it was planted, then ironed a few clothes. Just at sundown went to Canfield’s after water and eat awhile. I write more particular because this is your birthday.
August 30, 1818. Sunday. Clear and pleasant. Oh, how I wanted to be with you, especially in the morning before meeting, and at noon read over your letters and read the last chapters of Job, during the intermission wrote part of a letter to you. David B. and Marshall Johnson were here awhile towards night. Thunder just at night and a hard shower of rain in the evening.
31st. Cloudy and rainy all day. Doctor went to mill. Leota was sick. I went up to help in the morning and stayed all day. Doctor did not get home. I got home a little before dark. Took one of Canfield’s boys and a lantern and went to my house. Ate my supper, then went to Canfield’s and stayed all night.
September 1. Doctor came to Canfield’s before I was up. The evening was so dark he got partly lost, found the way to Bristol’s and stayed all night. Rainy and cloudy till noon then clear and pleasant. I did my housework, taught school, baked some bread by the fire, looked over my chests, trunks, etc. One summer I have spent in Ohio and the approach of fall fills my mind with dread. The harvest is past this summer. My sins are still repented of and I am in the same lamentable situation I ever was.
2nd. Cool in the morning, then clear and pleasant. Doctor went to visit the sick at noon. I finished my first letter to you. After school I went and got a few blackberries to eat. They are nearly gone. Thought much of you between sundown and dark. Time I generally think of you and yours.
3rd. Cool morning then warm and pleasant. I did my washing in the forenoon and kept school all the afternoon, braided some and had a homesick time between sundown and dark with the letter.
4th. I finished Carlon C’s straw hat and taught school. About two o’clock two men came here from Medina. They were once from Waterbury and knew Doctor 18 years ago. I went to get them some dinner and Doctor took them to see his land. They said that Father Clark’s family were all well, that Mr. Boardman and son had been there and gone again. Said also that Father Clark’s folks did not know they were coming and whether Boardman had brought any letters for us they did not know. When they had done dinner it had got to be towards night. They spoke about going. I thought I would use some politeness and asked them to stay all night. To my disappointment they very readily accepted the invitation and said they would go to work with Doctor. Flour being so scarce in our neighborhood I did not know in the world how to keep them. Not having any chamber floor, I had but one bed set up, but we lived through it and treated them as well as we could and let them go.
5th. Rain in the night, cloudy in the morning and then a very pleasant day. I got breakfast for the men and they started. Doctor all at once started a notion he would go to Medina. He went and borrowed Erastus French’s fire works (contrivance of flint, steel and punk for starting a fire) and started about nine o’clock to go through the south road. On this road it is about forty miles to Father’s. They go south from here eight miles (to the Medina Road – ¾ of a mile south of Clarksfield Hollow) where they take the south road, as it is called, and from there to the first house in Medina is thirty miles. You will readily know I should not feel easy about him, for he will have surely to lie in the woods all night and so far from any living person, it is not safe, but then I wanted him to go, for one thing, to get the letters. I bought cotton for Doctor two shirts, that was there and a pair of stockings, besides his business was to get Ransom and a team to help build the chimney and do off our house. I hope his Preserver will carry him safe through and back again to his home. After he was gone I did my work and taught school, ironed my clothes, sewed on Julia’s work bag and went to Canfield’s and stayed all night. I now feel lonesome for you. Know then that when Doctor went away formerly I either came to your house or the girls came to mine and Oh, that the girls could come here together tonight. Slept well, dreamed of receiving letters from you.
September 6. Sunday. Pleasant agreeable weather. I arose in the morning, not a very early hour, returned home, got my breakfast, did up my work and wrote off journal to you till noon then, tired of staying alone, went up to Canfield’s. There came up a thunder shower and continued so that I could not get home to get my supper till just at dark. The shower increased and we were obliged to stay all night. Two of Mr. Canfield’s children came home with me and the thunder was so hard they sent down their hired man. I made up a bed on the floor for we had but one bedstead.
7th. Training Day. Coolish with some flying clouds. I did up my work, taught school in the forenoon, then went to see Leota and bake pumpkin pies. Stayed all night and thought much of you all day and longed to be there at training. I could see what you were about more than any other day. Rained in the night.
Brought home three pumpkin pies.
8th. Rained in the night then cloudy most of the day. Helped Leota do her work and, with the children, started for home and the school. Sewed on Julia’s work bag. Went to Canfield’s after school and stayed all night. Some expected Doctor but he did not come.
9th. Still cloudy and cool fall weather. I arose and came home at a not very early hour. Taught school, mended the yellow backed jacket that used to be Father’s, and knit some on one of Doctor’s thread stockings. Expected him home this evening without fail but he did not come and I stayed at Canfield’s.
10th. Cool in the morning, then pleasant. I came home and got my breakfast, begun to mend the old coat that was Father’s, went down to the windfall, found someone had stolen one of our largest muskmelons, got back, taught school, then went to see Leota, got back just at night. No Doctor had arrived. I now felt quite alarmed, thinking something must have happened to him. Composed myself as well as possible. Stayed at Canfield’s all night. Thought much about you.
11th. Cool morning, then pleasant, cloudy toward night. I came home, had to cut some wood to make fire, got a poor breakfast, did my work, then did a large washing, washed that blanket Granny gave me, made a new mop and washed my floor and after school thought Doctor would never get back and went to Amiel’s and stayed all night. Oh, Mother, you do not know how much I wanted to come home and stay with you.
12th. Cloudy in the morning, then warm and pleasant. I got home by school time. Doctor had not come yet. One week this morning since he started. I feel very anxious about him. Mother you know I have a thousand thoughts. I sometimes think the only hope I have that he is still alive was a bile that was just appearing on his foot when he started. The Lord only knows whether he will ever return to me or whether I am left alone in this wilderness world. Taught school, ironed, just at night went to Canfield’s to stay all night. I am almost distracted about him. Thought if I lived till morning I would hire someone to go immediately after him.
September 13th. Sunday. Middling pleasant. I stayed then till noon, ate my breakfast and wrote a letter to GranFather Mallory, and Mrs. Canfield and myself had just started to go out and he called to me and what was my surprise, I beheld the Doctor. He had been detained by a very sore foot. Lines Clark came home with him. He lay in the woods two nights in getting there and one coming home. I came home with him, got dinner and supper, which took me till night. He said their people were all well. He said that Bela kept all our letters as long as he thought it would do and then left them twenty miles from here and ordered them to be sent on, but they have not got here. They kept the one that had the comb in and Doctor brought that and a letter from Bela to me. I bought seven yards of cotton shirting of them for two shirts. He brought that, also a pair of stockings. I left them and the budget that old Mrs. Canfield sent to Augustin. Mother sent a shirt for Lines for me to make. Sent a paper of pins and another of buttons to pay me. I have plenty of pins now as I had more than one paper before. I wanted to go to meeting today, before, as it was Sacrament Day and a great many people there, but I had no way to get there unless I went the three miles on foot, which I felt as if I could not do.
14th. A shower in the morning with very hard thunder. P.M. clear and pleasant. Doctor went into the settlement to get a team and he and Lines went logging off the land to sow with wheat. I did my housework, taught school, baked two pies and went after potatoes.
15th. Rain in the forenoon with hard thunder then clear till towards night, rain all night. I did my work and baked pies, besides school.
September 16. Rain hard all day. I did my work and mended my apron that wore out on my bandbox, besides school. Doctor and Lines worked at logging till afternoon, then he went to take the team home and brought two ducks.
17th. Rain all night, showery all day. Doctor went to mill. I did my work. Taught school and began to make the shirt for Lines.
18th. Still cloudy and rain in the night. I baked some bread for a novelty as it had been some time since I had any. Sewed on Lines’ shirt after school. Washed out a few clothes.
19th. Rainy all day. I baked some more bread and made some pumpkin pies. Went to the windfall after potatoes. Sewed on the shirt besides school.
20th. Sunday. Clear most of the time and some wind; rain in the evening. Doctor and Lines went to bed and I sat up; baked bread, ironed and part wrote a letter to Bela.
21st. Pleasant fall weather. I did housework and after school went with Mrs. Canfield on Lines’ old horse to visit Leota. Mrs. Bristol and Ruth Squire were there, drank tea and got home in good season.
22nd. Very pleasant. I taught school; sewed on Lines’ shirt, baked bread and pumpkin pies.
23rd. Pleasant fall weather. Did my work, taught school and finished Lines’ shirt. Doctor, Lines and myself made an evening visit to A. Pierce’s.
24th. Still pleasant. Lines must start for home. I wrote a letter to Bela and fixed him off as soon as I could. I did up my work, wrote journal awhile to you then began to make another frock for Harry Crampton and taught school.
25th. Cloudy in the morning then clear and pleasant. Doctor started in the morning to go to mill but it was general training day at the new county seat and he could not get a horse. Got home about noon and brought five good peaches. Judge Sprague gave them to him and he gave me three of them. I washed some clothes in the morning and washed my floor and sewed on the Crampton frock. Mrs. Canfield came down here to see the school as it was the last day. Gave each of them a ticket, as I could procure nothing else.
26th. Pleasant weather. I got up as soon as light and fixed Doctor off to mill again. It is now a little after sunrise and I am writing to you. I behold your children hopping out of bed, one after another. Maria runs as well as the rest with her clothes in her hand. There is no school today and I have got to stay alone all day. How I wish you or Nancy could come and stay with me but you cannot. I will put up my writing and tell you tonight how I have spent the day. Saturday night after doing up the work I read the two little books you sent me and read some in the Bible and Saints’ Rest, then sat down to sewing, and, to tell the truth, I was very homesick and even the thought that I was so far separated from you and that it will be impossible for me to come to you or you to get to me, I say this thought caused me to cry and groan aloud. In this situation I continued until I made myself down sick. I found I couldn’t stay alone and therefore fixed my house and things to leave as well as I could, took my work and went to see Leota and stay all night. I found her so homesick she could but just live. Ruth Squire came for a visit and the conversation was turned upon other things and I came home quite comfortable. Finished the Crampton frock.
September 27th. Sunday. Pleasant fall weather. Arose in good season and thought I would try once and go three miles on foot to meeting. Heard a Methodist in the forenoon and Dr. Betts in the afternoon. Doctor was called to visit the sick. I did not get home till after sundown, tired almost to death, had to get supper and make some bread.
28th. Cool morning then pleasant. Doctor went over to the river and left me alone again and to prevent feeling bad I kept to work about the house all day, just did my housework, baked some bread by the fire, washed up all my dishes and scoured off my shelf, cleaned out my chamber, stewed some pumpkin, mended Doctor’s striped linen trousers, washed them and washed out the Crampton frock, got on pot for supper, shelled beans, first we have had, made pie crust and strained pumpkin. In the evening made bread.
29th. Pleasant. Doctor went to the river again. I went to Canfield’s to bake. This took me till noon. I then came home, fixed up my house, washed my floor and sat down to take comfort writing to you. Mrs. C. sent word Leota was there. I went up there. She did not stay long. I brought home my victuals, went to writing again, ironed a few clothes, got on pot for supper, boiled potatoes and squash.
30th. Doctor got a team and began to sow wheat. I picked beans, got on pot and had to work faithful till near sundown to mend my woolen shawl, then took a short walk amongst the walnut trees but without much success, tucked up my bombazett.
October 1. Cool mornings of late, then pleasant. Doctor is sowing wheat. Besides my housework, I spread ashes where log heaps had been burned. In the afternoon went to Canfield’s and washed a few clothes.
2nd. Pleasant weather. Doctor finished sowing by the house and took the team home. I worked on my ruffle, got on pot for supper, knit awhile in the evening.
October 3, 1818. Cloudy with some rain in the afternoon. Leota came down here to be bled and was so feeble she could not get home and stayed till night when Amiel came after her. Mrs. Canfield was here and I got tea and worked on my ruffle.
4th. Sunday. I intended to have gone to meeting again but it rained hard all day and most droned us out of house and home. Ate watermelon and muskmelon.
5th. I went up to Amiel’s and helped her bake all day. Doctor tinkered at the house.
6th. Clear and pleasant. Doctor went all day to the river and I did a large wash and scoured tin and pewter and just before sundown had to get my floor washed and sat down to sewing when two men came in and brought the letters H. Boardman brought. How rejoiced I was to get them and I eagerly perused them one by one and thought they were well paid for a journey to New Milford. How many tears I shed reading your journal.
7th. Very pleasant. I must go up to show my letters to Leota. Read them and talked much about you. All went to Mrs. Bristol’s and drank tea. Got home by sundown. Made bread and stewed pumpkin.
8th. Still pleasant. Went to Canfield’ and baked in the afternoon, boiled some pumpkin molasses, read over all my letters and numbered them.
9th. Cloudy towards night. I went after walnuts with Mrs. Bristol, got a few butternuts and got home before dark, very tired. Doctor worked at the house.
10th. I did my work and wrote letters to B.M.H.W.
11th. Sunday. I wrote off my journal to you and read in Saints’ Rest till just at sundown. Amiel P. brought a letter to Doctor. On his breaking the seal how my heart rejoiced to behold my mother’s hand writing. I perused and reperused it till every sentiment was familiar. Was glad to hear you had received my letters and was still in good health.
12th. Very pleasant. Doctor filled up the fireplace. I patched some and did my work, read over my letters and thought much of you.
13th. Pleasant. Doctor went to Town Meeting. (Election). I went up to Mrs. C’s and read my letters and then went up to Leota’s and boiled some pumpkin molasses, came home at night with Doctor.
14th. Pleasant. Doctor began to dig potatoes. I did my work and sewed on Lemuel Pierce’s coat. In the afternoon went to Amiel’s and finished my molasses.
15th. Pleasant. Doctor went to the potatoes again, I sewed on the coat, in the afternoon went to Mrs. Canfield’s for a visit. Leota was there.
October 16th. Still pleasant. I sewed on the coat and just at night picked up potatoes.
17th. Went to Canfield’s and baked, sewed on the coat and picked up potatoes.
18th. Sunday. Pleasant. Started in good season and went with Leota afoot to meeting. Dr. Betts preached a funeral sermon, "That it is appointed to all men once to die but after that the judgment." Rode part way home.
19th. Very pleasant. I finished Lemuel’s coat and took a walk where we get stone. (At the river, for building fireplace and chimney?).
*21st. Some snow, hail, wind and very cold. I wrote some and went up to Canfield’s, knit and baked my dried apples. Joel Crampton brought me a suit of clothes to make.
*20th. Cloudy and windy. I washed and went to Canfield’s and made me a blanket.
22nd. Cloudy and windy. I sewed on the Crampton clothes all day. Smith got back.
23rd. Middling pleasant. I helped Doctor work at the house and sewed on the clothes.
24th. Quite pleasant. Doctor went away I wrote letters all day.
25th. Sunday, Very pleasant. Indian summer began. Doctor and I wrote letters all day and all the evening and I tired. It is hard work.
26th. Warm and smoky. Doctor is gone after boards and I have been and washed out Judu’s work pocket and Maria’s ruffle and I am writing and finishing off letters. The talk is Smith is going tomorrow. That little ruffle was not worth sending but I was afraid Maria would think her present was not so good as the rest. I feel anxious about Nancy’s health. Doctor says she better be bled in the foot and give her iron and strengthening things but he cannot tell without seeing her. Doctor her though. I think I should as soon have old women’s advice as doctors. I shall write again when David comes and then I guess I shan’t write again very soon for I shan’t have anything to write worth 25c. You must write if Nancy don’t get better, and if she does, when you want to. You know we shan’t begrudge to pay 25c for a letter. I don’t think you will have time to get a letter here before David goes and if you are well you had best wait till David comes and write and answer all these and those I sent by him and so, goodbye.
LAURA CLARK
Transcribed by Lowell Dunlap
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