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Ella
Pritchard Douglass Journal
Handwritten, transcribed by Becky Baker Hill, great-granddaughter, in July 2009. Notes by BBH in italics This journal is in the possession of Janet Douglass and George Williamson, Ella’s granddaughter - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Jan. 1, 1893 (Sunday) Today the storm is sleet and rain We’re all at home together We’ve had a very pleasant time In spite of the stormy weather With books and papers here to read, And plenty to eat and wear With love and joy, in our hearts and home We need have no anxious care. Monday, Jan. 2, 1893 Mild in the morning but Cold and snowing in the afternoon The snow was thin, but we took the sleigh And went to Grandpa Douglass [James Douglass 1820-1899, lived in Hector, Pa]to spend the day. The family were all together again Our family with Encie numbering ten [I am not sure who Encie, especially since there were 7 children by then, plus Sike and Ella, making 9 in the family. It is not Carrie Encie because later she is mentioned along with Encie. She must be a live-in relative or helper]. It need not be said, we had a nice time. For we always do about New Year’s time. Jan. 3, 1893 Pretty cold, although it snowed Sike [husband, Josiah Douglass] and Milton [Munson, 1861- ; married 1882 Harrison Valley to Rhoda Frazier, 1867-, probably neighbor] cut some wood; Nothing unusual happened today So there isn’t much to say. Had a good prayer meeting at the schoolhouse tonight I think that’s all here is to write. Jan. 4, 1893 The air was mild, the sleighing good So we went to town with a load of wood We went to Brother Barretts to dine Where a meeting was held in due time. To ascertain who would preach next year, Came home and found Bro. Embree here. Jan. 5, 1893 Steady cold weather Snows a little still; Sike has gone to his Father’s To held raise the wind-mill Jan. 6, 1893 Weather today is clear and cold Bill Brock’s property is about to be sold Sike went to the “Brook” [Potter Brook] to get his horses shod While there, he drawed a load of logs. Jan. 7, 1893 Still ‘tis cold and snowing away Most of us got to meeting today Where the 3rd quarterly meeting is held for this year Bros. Tiffany and Scribner we expect to be there. Sike is forty years old today I think that is all there is to say. Jan. 8, 1893 Pleasant, but cold Went to meeting at Westfield Heard Eld. Tiffany preach. Had a very good meeting in the morning and evening. Sister Tiffiny was there, also Bros. Dean, Thompson and Huntsman, from Hopewell Centre, and Bros. Stephen and Warriner with their wives from Jasper. Bro. Scribner wasn’t there, as he was hurt by a fall. Jan. 9, 1893 Snowed all day. Sike commenced drawing logs for Bert Glover this afternoon. The children have commenced their studies with myself as teacher. Jan. 10, 1893 Very cold, tedious and blustering, with snow. Sike drawed logs for Bert Glover today, you know. Jan. 11, 1893 Very cold, but clear and still Sike drawed logs all day until Eventide again brought him home Where we’re always glad to have him come. Jan. 12, 1893 It snowed all night and still snowing away So Sike has stayed at home all day. Bro. Thompson and Bro. & Sister Sprague Came to our house and a visit paid; Very profitable the day we spent Till late at night, to be bed we went But not until after our hearts were raised To God, in prayer and songs of praise. Jan. 13, 1893 Very cold, but it isn’t storming Our friends took leave of us this morning Bro. Thompson took the train for home; We’re glad he had the chance to come. My time is well filled with teaching and baking And dusting, along with the garments I’m making By drawing logs, Sike spent the day And so the time has passed away. Jan. 14, 1893 Very cold, but it isn’t storming Our friends took leave of us this morning Bro. Thompson took the train for home; We’re glad he had the chance to come. My time is well filled with teaching and baking And dusting, along with the garments I’m making By drawing logs, Sike spent the day And so the time has passed away. Jan. 15 Sunday is still so very cold We’re all at home but Lula. Jesus is still our hope and stay; While in the land of “Beulah.” The Holy Ghost directs our ways Our hearts are filled with joy and praise. Jan. 16 Tis very, very, very cold Too cold to work out doors So Sike is at home cutting wood And doing numerous other chores I spent my time in teaching school And sewing (which isn’t against the rule) Jan. 17 (Tuesday) Tues. is mild, the weather fine Sike drawed logs all the time In the house, all went fair and good For we all did the best we could The evening was spent at the schoolhouse in prayer And we all found it good to be there. Jan. 18 Wednesday’s the same as yesterday’s Sike drawed logs and fair the day. Arthur Munson stayed with us today. For his parents have gone away. Jan. 19 Although ‘tis fair for days together Still ‘tis a continued spell of cold weather Sike still is drawing logs for Bert So far, he’s escaped without a hurt. Today, Aunt Flora [wife of Josiah’s brother, Charles Douglass] brought Lula home We all were glad to see her come. Jan. 20, 1893 The weather still is fine, but cold Sike’s works the same that has been told. Wonders never will cease so they say But the greatest wonder happened today For, although you may deem it strange Nevertheless we bought a “Wrought Steel Range” Though the price seemed great, yet as they say, Twill last us many, and many a day. Jan. 21 The weather today is very pleasant and fair J.B.D. [Josiah Breese Douglass] is still drawing lots down there Mr. And Mrs. Dunham came here today. I gave them some food, and they went their way. Jan. 22 We didn’t go to church today ‘Though the weather was very fine For I wasn’t feeling very strong Still, we had a pleasant time. In the evening, Milton came And took us to his home; We spent the time in prayer and song And, now, we home have come. Jan. 23 Today, the air is warmer Sike has stayed at home To do odd jobs and get up wood It snowed this afternoon. Jan. 24 The day is fine, the air is warm With no prospects of a storm The logs Sike drawed today has come From the place we used to call our “Home” In the evening we to meeting went And profitably the time was spent For Eld. Ingersoll preached the word Which benefited all who hears. Jan. 25 ‘Tis a very blustering, tedious day The snow will be piled well together Sike has been to his work today Drawing logs down on the “River” In the house, everything went well The children had their lessons good Of a good day’s work, I am glad to tell ‘Though I might tell of more, if I would. Jan. 26 ‘Tis quite warm today and thawing Which on the [Cowanesque]“River” ends log drawing ‘Though Sike put the rest of his logs to the mill Yet we are hoping for more snow still. Jan. 27 (pasted over in diary) The day is fine, the… With no prospects of… The logs Sike drawed.. From the place we to meeting call our… In the evening we to meet went And profitably the time was spent For Eld. Ingersoll preached the word. Which benefited all who heard Jan. 27 (pasted on top of previous entry) Tis a mild and pleasant day Sike and Encie are on their way En route for Tioga where Encie will stay And visit her friend (as well she may) Jan. 28 (pasted over in diary) ‘Tis a very blustering tedious day The snow will be piled well together Sike has been to his work today, Drawing logs down on the “River” Jan. 28 (pasted on top of previous entry) Blustering and tedious in the morning It snowed some in the night In the afternoon, it warmer grew And became quite calm at night At six o’clock, Sike came home With Encie’s load of goods, His trip was pleasant there and back As we all hoped it would. In the house, every thing went well, The children had their lessons good. Of a good days work I am glad to tell, Though I might tell of more if I would. Jan. 29 ‘Twas a steady, drizzling rain The greater part of the day But tonight ‘tis clear and air The storm has all passed away. But in our home, no storm clouds gather For our hearts and our lips make it pleasant weather. Jan. 30, 1893 Sike killed two pigs in the morning And drawed logs in the afternoon Floyd [born 1878] and Roy [born 1885] took one pig to market But now they have all come home ’Twas pleasant until three o’clock Then snowed hard the rest of the day Lula [born 1879] tried her hand at washing For Encie has gone away Jan. 31 The weather today is good, The sleighing too is good, Sike and Milton have struck a job; They’re drawing Charlie Gilbert’s logs Tonight was prayer meeting, so we went And a very pleasant time was spent We find it good, to meet and pray It strengthens us upon our way. Feb. 1 ‘Tis not very cold, nor yet very warm Towards night we had a hard snowstorm Milton and Sike drawed logs today. My health is quite poor, I am sorry to say. Yet, I am glad I am able to do what I do And with the girls help, I think we’ll go through. Feb. 2, 1893 ‘Twas pleasant at first, and then it snowed, Which keeps the sleighing very good. Sike is working at his job today; And I am working at mine His job, of course, is drawing logs; And mine, just now, is making rhymes. Feb. 3 It rained in the morning and all the forenoon So Sike found it convenient to stay at home A number of callers came in through the day Towards night the storm all passed away. The evening was pleasant, the moon shone bright So a load of us went to meeting at night Eld. Campbell & Hill were preaching the word And truly a very good sermon we heard. Feb. 4 The weather was fine, the sky was clear A part of the day Eld. Campbell was here. Pleasantly a few hours was spent Afterwards, Sike to Potter Brook went Again in the evening we took a load And went to meeting over on the “Fork’s” road. Feb. 5 Sunday the weather was cold but clear So we went to Westfield to meeting Where a very good sermon we did hear, We received a pleasant greeting At Wm. Perry’s we stopped to dine And arrived home all in due time, To attend the meeting at the “Fork’s” at night Wm Perry came home with us to spend the night. Feb. 6 When we awoke we found it storming Grandpa came very early this morning Sike has been at home today Bro. Perry has just gone away. Though all through the day it has been raining We do not feel any like complaining. Feb. 7 Pleasant weather, and callers plenty Henry and Sate [Josiah’s brother Henry Douglass and wife, Sarah “Sate” of Hector] came and spend the day Eld. Hills made us a morning call, But now, they all have gone their way. Sike drawed one load of logs in the morning In the evening we to meeting went After which Bros. Campbell and Wood Came home with us, where the night they spent. Feb. 8 The weather is pleasant today again Bros. Campbell and Wood spent with us the forenoon Anna Davis came and spent the day We were sorry she had to leave us so soon Sike and Milton drawed logs today, Grandpa is with us still, Today I haven’t felt a bit well But I hope that soon I will. Feb. 9 Weather pleasant today But blustering at night Snowed very hard The first part of the night. Sike and Milton drawed logs Not a caller has come Nor a visit been made Today at our home. Feb. 10 Through the night it snowed And it rained and it blowed; Today it is blustering still Sike drawed logs for his work (He is sure not to shirk) All day I have been quite ill. Feb. 11, 1893 It is quite pleasant today Sike has gone to mill Grandpa has gone to the Valley now And I am not a bit well. The girls have been doing housework And I have been sewing again. When Sike came home from town He brought Encie home from the train. Feb. 12 ’Tis a very pleasant day We’re spending the day at home With plenty of good reading at hand We’re glad to have Sunday come. We held a prayer meeting in the evening Milton Munson was here We found the communion sweet with God And Jesus seemed very near. Feb. 13 It has snowed hard all day long Sike drawed logs, one half day Milton Munson took dinner with us For his wife is still away. Another thing I would like to say The calf of the season arrived today. Feb. 14, 1893 (Tuesday) Tis a warm and pleasant day So to Harrison Valley we went Some of the girls stayed with Flora’s But the day to Mahlon’s [Ella’s brother,Dr. Mahlon Pritchard, b. 1852] I spent. My health has been very poor I was hardly able to go; But to see the Dr. was why I went And it did me no harm, I know Tonight is prayer meeting night But as no one came to the schoolhouse Our number at home which is five Held prayer meeting at our house. Feb. 15, 1893 Tis very warm all night ‘twas thawing Sike’s working today at his log drawing On account of poor health, and Encie away We’ve had no school since two weeks today. But we’re having school again today And I hope to be able to make it pay. Feb. 16, 1893 Today was mild and pleasant Sike has been log drawing We’ve all been very busy today I’ve been teaching school and sewing. Feb. 17 Snowed all day and very cold The storm was very severe towards night Sike and Milton drawed logs today But the storm sent them home before night. Charles Perry took dinner with us today I think there’s nothing more of account to say. Feb. 18 ‘Tis pleasant today but quite cold. Sike drawed logs the first half of the day. The rest of the day he helped saw wood And in the evening he went away. For Dean Carr and his wife Stopped for us and we went With them to Milton Munson’s Where the evening we spent. Feb. 19 Very cold and hard ‘tis snowing Very severe the winds are blowing The storm increases, the winds rise higher We’re thankful that we can stay by the fire. Charles & Flora came to see us today, The storm was tedious when they went away. Feb. 20 ’Twas a very cold night And cold this morning. Though the wind is less tedious And it has stopped storming Sike and Milton are drawing their logs today While with school and other work, we’re improving the day. Feb. 21 (Tuesday) The air is cold, the sky is clear. A strong south wind is blowing Today Sike and Milton finished their job, Of logs that they’ve been drawing. Tonight was the night for preaching But as no preacher came near With Ardean Carr and our family We held a prayer meeting here. Feb. 22 It snowed through the night and part of the day Very hard the wind has blowed. Sike has been at home all day. Towards night again it snowed. Feb. 23, 1893 Very warm for this time of the year It snowed very hard this afternoon here After dinner Sike took the big sleigh And, with our “seven” and Jessie sped away, To Grandpa Douglass’ where they had a fine time Driving home, two hours before nine. Feb. 24, 1893 ‘Tis a night warm; today it snowed Sike killed a pig, then got up wood Lula and Carrie have been away Helping Rhoda, as she is not well today Feb. 25 Very warm, all day it thawed; In the afternoon, very hard it snowed. Sike and Roy to Elmer went; Roy to Charlie’s; the whole day spent While Sike went to “town”, back to Elmer and then, Taking Roy they came back home again. Feb. 26 Today was such a pleasant day And so much better I felt That I went with Sike to meeting; And I think it improved my health. We had a very good meeting, We went to the “Elders” to dine; Bro. and Sister Sprague came down We had a pleasant time. We started for home after prayer and song Fresh air and sunshine made one quite strong. Feb. 27 Very fine, warm, and pleasant day I have been feeling very much better Sike and Floyd have been getting up wood While Lula went to Rhoda’s to help her. Feb. 28 Had a storm of sleet this morning Sike worked at wood again today. Masters Watkins & Rice came up to see Floyd But didn’t make a very long stay. In the evening was our meeting of prayer The boys took one of the sleighs and drawed me there. Mar. 1 ‘Tis very nice and pleasant today Sike took straw to Elmer for his brother dear Windows and doors, I’ve been cleaning today Helen spent the evening here. Mar. 2 Though the March winds blow Yet ‘tis a fine day Sikes’s work was odd jobs Nearly all the day. Mar. 3 Friday still is quite warm; The day has passed without a storm In the house, we’ve done what work we could While Sike and Floyd have been cutting wood. Mar. 4 Oh! How hard it snowed today. And very blustering it grew. Sike took wood to Potter Brook Flora came to see us too. For a few days, I felt real well Better than for many a day But today I have been quite ill And so I was yesterday. Mar. 5 ‘Tis very blustering, tedious cold A very rough day up here. I am not feeling much better today. But Jesus seems very near. Floyd, Lula and Encie went To Westfield to meeting today Tonight we’re glad they’re home again For it’s been such a tedious day. Mar. 6 Today was fair and pleasant I have felt much better today Sike and Floyd have been cutting wood While Encie has been washing away. Mar. 7 Today is warm and pleasant Today Sike and Milton cut wood Rhoda spend the afternoon here The evening brought a prayer meeting good. Mar. 8 ‘Twas warm today, Sike drawed some wood Then the boys went hunting to get what they could A large white rabbit proved to be their game Just before dinner, Kitt and Henry came. After dinner the boys went hunting again But their luck was turned, for they brought no game. Mar. 9 The boys cut some wood Thought it rained most all day; I have taught school And run “Barber Shop” today [I imagine this meant that she cut her family’s hair] Mar. 10 Quite pleasant, Sike and Milton cut wood all day In the afternoon most of us went away. Part of us, to Milton’s, the afternoon spent While some to Helen’s and some to Mr. Carr’s went. Mar. 11 A heavy fog has lasted all day. Sike killed his last pig and took it away He sold it to Westfield at 9 cts. per lb. Which is less than he had for the others all round. Mar. 12 The weather was mild On the “River” ‘twas muddy So we went down to meeting But we went with the buggy. We dined at the Elders Then to Charlie’s we come Where I spent the night; The rest went home. Charlie was taken very sick yesterday But he is feeling some better today. Mar. 13 The weather is pleasant again today Charles is not as well as yesterday I called on Sue Wallace this forenoon. Then up to Mahlon’s I went about noon. They have all been sick But are getting better Florence is just recovering From the Scarlet Fever. 4 o’clock at the Valley, Sike has just come 9 o’clock p.m. – We are now home. FROM THIS POINT ON I HAVE NOT TRANSCRIBED EVERY ENTRY SINCE MANY WERE REPETITIVE AND HELD NO NEW NAMES OR EVENTS. UNLESS NOTED, ELLA MADE AN ENTRY ALMOST EVERY DAY- Mar. 15 ‘Tis cold and blustering with snow Sike helped Milton cut wood today Lula helped Rhoda today, you know My walk to Helen’s made me worse today. Mar 18 Today is pleasant and Floyd’s birthday Sike helped Milton the most of the day Floyd started for Elmer, but he came back quick On account of Prince being taken sick. Mar 22 Not very cold, it has snowed all day Sike killed two veals and took them away Eld. I, wife, and I took our midday meal At Milton’s, while there sold our other veal. Mar 25 ‘Tis warm and springlike today Sike to town with Veal calves has went Lula is just fourteen today Her birthday, like Floyds, at home was spent. Mar. 27 ‘Tis very nice and pleasant today Sike and Milton are cutting school wood Encie is washing, and I’m cutting rags We’ve all been busy as we could Grandpa Pritchard [Morris Pritchard, 1818-1906, of Westfield] came here today ‘Tis a number of weeks since he went away. Mar. 31 This is a very nice spring day I am feeling much better than yesterday Milton Munson and wife, and Sike and me Took a ride, Wayman Ferris’s folks to see We had a fine visit, and it did me no harm, For we were treated to “Jack wax” and sugar warm. Sike brought ten lbs. of the nice sugar sweets Which was for our children a very great treat. [Jack Wax is a type of Maple Candy – see end of transcription for recipe] Apr. 1 My health is so poor most all of the time That with this couplet I’ll end my rhyme Sike cut wood half a day. I sugared off in the afternoon and invited Mr. Carr’s and Mr. Brown’s folks in to eat warm sugar. April 5, 1893 Encie and Lula took up the carpet and cleaned the sitting room today Apr. 6 Sike and Floyd cut wood this afternoon. Charlie Perry called today. Helen came over a while. I have crocheted on my tidy all day. Sike, Encie, Lula and Iva came to meeting today. We had an excellent lovefeast and meeting. Rhoda Munson was baptized today. We took dinner at the parsonage. Apr. 13 Floyd took a load of wood to the parsonage. Grandpa Pritchard came home with him. Sike helped Milton cut wood in the afternoon. Lula helped Rhoda half a day. April 14, 1893 Lula and Carrie helped Rhoda all day. Apr . 16 – Sunday We are all spending the day at home. We are reading “The Prince of the House of David” It is very interesting. The Prince of the house of David; or, Three years in the Holy City. Being a series of the letters of Adina, a Jewess of Alexandria, sojourning in Jerusalem in the days of Herod, addressed to her father, a wealthy Jew in Egypt; and relating, as if by an eye-witness, all the scenes and wonderful incidents in the life of Jesus of Nazareth, from his baptism in Jordan to his crucifixion on Calvary (1858) by J.H. Ingraham. April 18, 1893 Carrie and Neva spent the afternoon to Mrs. Carr’s. Apr. 21 Pa is still taking up hives where bees have died out. Honey has kept Pa and myself quite busy for a week. Last winter was very hard on the bees. Apr. 22 Sike and went to Potter Brook. We made a visit to Wells Watkins, then drove to Elmer. Pa went with us on this way to the Valley. I was quite tired when I got home. Apr. 23 (Sun) We are all at home and spend a very pleasant day reading “Adina” Apr. 24 Sike and Floyd have been drawing away the banking from the house and drawing slabs from the mill to build fence with. Encie has washed and the rest of us have been working hard. Mrs. Burns and Helen called this afternoon. Apr. 25, 1893 I felt some better today. Tonight was prayer meeting and I went with the others. I walked over (with Sike helping me) for the first time since Feb. 14th. Sike and Floyd have been drawing slabs and fixing fence. Encie, Lula and Carrie are all sewing hard. I am cutting out garments for them to make. Apr. 27 In the night I was taken very sick. In the morning sent for the Doctor. Was very sick and weak for four or five weeks, then got better so I could sit in the chair a little while at a time. Am now so I can sit up all day, but not walk any – at this writing which is July 10th. April 28 – June 13, 1893 – no entries – Ella was ill. June 14, 1893 Mr. Wm. Perry died this morning at five o’clock after an illness of three weeks and three days. His funeral was held at the church in Westfield. Eld. Ingersoll preached the funereal sermon. He had been a Christian over sixteen years. June 15, 1893 Encie caught a severe cold coming home from the funeral, and was unable to do scarcely anything for over two weeks. Lula and Carrie did the work for us during the time. June 23, 1893 Henry and Sate [Sarah Minerva] Douglass had a little boy born to them today [Howard Breese Douglass] June 30, 1893 The whole community around for miles was terribly shocked tonight to hear of the sudden death of Willie Crippen. He was spudding bark in the woods, when a tree which was being felled hit another tree, breaking the top of the tree and as it fell it hit Willie on the neck and jaw and broke his neck. He was running and looking up. He was a splendid young man and a true Christian and loved by all who knew him. Picture of men spudding bark, from internet : July 2, 1893 Willie Crippen’s funeral service was held today at the Potter Brook church. Elder Janes preached the sermon. Sike, Floyd, Encie and Lula went to Westfield to meeting and then back to the funeral. July 3, 1893 Lula washed the white clothes then went with Carrie strawberrying in the afternoon, got enough berries for a big shortcake and four quarts canned. I can help the girls a little by hulling strawberries. July 4, 1893(Tuesday) We had company today, quite unexpected. Mrs. Eunice Perry and Charlie Perry with his family. We had a pleasant time, had prayer before they left. In the evening Mr. and Mrs. Carr came down and held the weekly prayer meeting at our house. July 5, 1893 We were expecting Mr. and Mrs. French today, but before they came, Mr. and Mrs. Barrett and daughter, Carrie, and not long after came Mahlon and Nettie with Florence and Lena Harrison and Stella and Roy. They brought their freezer and made “Ice Cream”. Afterwards Mr. and Mrs. French came and Mrs. Sprague and Dot with them, making 20 in all for dinner and 24 for tea. Had a very pleasant time. July 7, 1893 Sike carried me in his arms to Helen Brown’s today, which is the first time I have been in any other house for over ten weeks. I think it did me good. I certainly was no worse. July 8, 1893 Today Sike set me into the cart and he drew me over to Milton Munson’s house. He drew me very jently [sic] and careful, but I was quite tired when I got into the house, but soon got rested, and felt much stronger coming home without tiring me. Felt better next day. July 10, 1893 Today is the first I have been able to write in this Diary since I was taken sick. I have been filling in a little as I could remember. It has tired me to write, and my eyes have been too weak to write until now. They are very weak yet, cannot see to read, or sew but a very little. I feel as if I was a dish set on the shelf to await further use. I have felt the presence of Jesus with me all through my sickness to comfort and cheer me and it has helped me so much. I cannot tell how much I appreciate the kind care I have received from Sike and Lula and others, and the kindness shown to me by neighbors and friends. I hope I can in some way repay all their kindnesses. July 22 I have been feeling some better for a week or two. Sike has put me into the cart and drawed me out as far as Mr. Munson’s several times. He goes so very steady and careful, it has not hurt me any. It think it makes me stronger to get out in the air if I can go without being jarred, but Sike doesn’t get time to take me very often. Aug. 1 Mr. And Mrs. John Seamens and Nettie came up here today, took dinner and supper with us. They went out berrying in the afternoon. We heard today of Andrew Perry’s wife’s death. She has been sick a long time. Aug. 2 Sike and Lula went to Potter Brook to Eliza Perry’s funereal today. This is the last day of our summer school. Aug. 3 James Breese died this morning at four o’clock. He had been sick about two weeks. [First cousin of Josiah Douglass, son of Joel Breese]. Aug. 4 Sike and Lula attended James Breese’s funereal today at the house and the burial at Potter Brook Cemetery. August 8, 1893 Tonight was meeting at the schoolhouse. Eld. Ingersoll and wife came here in the afternoon. Bro. George Potter and C. Perry came up to the meeting. Sike and Charlie carted me in my rocking chair over to meeting. It is the first meeting I have attended since the first of last April. I enjoyed the meeting very much. Aug. 10 (Thurs) Sike went to Elmer with the Reaper today to cut Oats, found work enough to keep him until Saturday night. August 15, 1893 Encie and the girls have been very busy all day baking for the camp meeting and for the ones at home. I have helped all I could by packing dishes, bedding, trunks, etc. August 16, 1893 Camp meeting commences today at Mills (just west of Harrison Valley). Sike has gone to take Encie and Lula up to the meeting. Sike will come home tonight and tomorrow get his Father’s buggy and take me up to Charlie’s and the meeting. Sike has been nearly sick for a few days. Aug. 17, 1893 Sike took me to Mahlon today. I got quite tired riding although Sike drove very careful. It seemed quite hard to leave the children when it came time to go. Aug. 18 Sike took me in the morning up to camp meeting. I sat in the buggy and hear the first sermon in the afternoon, sat in my rocking chair during meeting. We went down to Mahlon’s to stay all night. Sike brought his Father up to meeting in the afternoon. Aug. 19 Floyd came over to the meeting this morning. Before evening meeting Sike took me up to Mr. Burrs where we stayed all night. Had a pleasant visit. Sike carried me upstairs to bed, as I have to be carried everywhere I go. Aug. 20 Went again to the meeting. We stayed in our tent tonight, the only night I slept on the ground. Aug. 21 This morning was quite cold so I stayed in the Band Stand with Matie Perry where we could hear the sermon. Aug. 22 I did not feel so well today. Sike came tonight, went up to evening meeting and back down to stay with me. I don’t know what I would do without Sike to care for me. Mahlon and Nettie are very kind and do all they can for me. Aug. 26 Mahlon carried me over to his office today. He has got it finished very nice and convenient. Aug. 29, 1893 It was quite rainy today, but I wrapped up well and bid them (Mahlon and family) good-bye and started for home. We stopped to Charlie’s and took dinner, started home again about five o’clock, found everything all right at home. I was very glad to get home again and the children were just as glad. I had never left them so long before. Aug. 30, 1893 Today through faith in Jesus, I was led to take Him as my Healer for my body. As I dropped on my knees before him I heard his voice saying “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk”. Oh, how his spirit flowed through my being till I was filled with Glory. I arose and walked alone which I had not been able to do for eighteen weeks. Amen; Praise his name. Aug. 31 This morning I told Helen what the Lord had done for me. She seemed very glad. I walked over there and back. Perry Rollison and family came here today. Floyd went to Harrison Valley. Pa came home with him. Yesterday I rode to Westfield to be anointed. Jesus is very near and helps me take every step. Sept. 4, 1893 School commenced today with Anna Crippen teacher. Floyd and Lula will have to wait until next week to go to school. Anna came here tonight. Sept. 7 I have been through the orchard today for the first time this year. How good it seems to be able to walk around. Sept. 8, 1893 (Wed.) Sike went to Bro. Ingersoll’s to make arrangements about the pay for his horse, then to Jim Potter’s, then back to Elmer and paid Charles all up on the horse. This evening Lula went with Milton Munson’s folks to the Skinner Schoolhouse to meeting. She intends to stay over there until Sunday. Sept. 10 I started with others of our family to attend church at Westfield today, but met Randolph Buck and wife and Helen coming to our house so we came back home. It is Helen and Roy’s birthday today. Helen brought Roy a hat and a pin for his tie. Lula came home today with Mr. Munson’s folks. Sept. 15 This forenoon Eld. Ingersoll and wife, Sister Sprague, Sike, Neva, and myself all went over to Mr. Munson’s to dinner. I stayed until evening. Encie came in the afternoon. Pa went over to see Clarence Pritchard today. Sept. 17, 1893 Floyd, Encie and Lula went to Westfield to meeting today. I did not feel quite able to ride today, but Sike and I and the children spent a very pleasant and profitable day at home. Sept. 18 This afternoon Sike took me to Ulysses to get my eyes fitted. Neva went with us. We called to see Amanda Burgduff then came home. Sept. 21 Sike went to his folk’s and got the Reaper this morning, then he took Neva and I a riding over to Hector and back. In the afternoon Milton helped Sike cut corn. I went down where they were working with my sewing. I am making Neva a dress. I have greatly enjoyed this beautiful day. Sept. 22, 1893 (Friday) Sike is cutting his buckwheat. Milton helped him this afternoon; Rhoda and her baby came up with him. This evening Sike, Encie, Floyd, Iva and I went to meeting at the Skinner Schoolhouse. Anna Crippen went with us to Hector. Sept. 23, 1893 Lula and Fannie went to Grandpa Douglass’ today. I have pared and canned 30 quarts of pears today. I feel quite tired tonight. Sept. 24, 1893 (Sunday) We went to church today and took Fannie and Neva. How glad I was to be to church at Westfield again. I had not been there since the first of last April. Sept. 25, 1893 In the night I was called over to Helen Brown’s. I was there until the afternoon. Extra strength was given me for the occasion. Jim and Helen are quite pleased over a baby girl that came to their house today. It weighed 8 lbs. Sept. 27 Sike and I went to C. Perry’s to a wood bee for the Parsonage. I rode with Sister Ingersoll. She and I after dinner went to Westfield, we called on Allie Kilborn. Sike came down at night, we went to prayer meeting here. We stayed all night to Eld. Ingersoll’s. Sept. 28, 1893 We started from Westfield, went up to Charlie Douglas. Found him sick, taken this morning with his stomach. Father Douglass is there. He was taken sick while visiting there, but is better now. We found Kitt Douglass there; she has just got home from the “World’s Fair” [Columbian Exposition, held in Chicago]. Carrie home at noon, found Helen comfortable. Oct. 2 Sike and Milton worked on their log job today. I worked at green tomatoes in the forenoon, at noon Rhoda Munson sent for me. Her baby was taken very sick with cholera infantum. In answer to our prayer the child was healed and grew instantly better. Encie came home today. Oct. 3 Sike and Milton are skidding logs today. There is no school today. The teacher attended her Aunt’s baby’s funeral. The girls have been helping me make chowder. We all went to prayer meeting. The two Charlie Butlers were there. Oct. 5 Sike and Milton skidded logs. I made pickled cabbage and pickellett today and did some baking. Anne came here again tonight. Oct. 6 Today I have been baking cakes and making French Pickles. I go to see Helen every day and help her what I can. Oct. 7 Sike has been building a corncrib, etc. This afternoon Lula and I made Roy some panties. Oct. 8 We heard Henry Clark preach his first sermon today in our church. He did splendid. Arthur Kilborn was here today with Floyd. Oct. 10 Sike is helping Charlie Butler and Milton do their threshing. The threshers came here to supper and stayed all night. Mattie Ferris and I went to Westfield this morning after a present for the school children to give to Anna. We got a Plush Toilet box filled with stationary. The threshers went with us to prayer meeting. Oct. 11 Today is Anna’s birthday. I wrote some verses to go with the present for the children. Our threshing was done by half past nine. We went to Sunderlinville to meeting tonight [perhaps about 10 miles]. Henry Clark preached. Oct. 13 Today is quite lowry, towards night it commenced raining. Henry and Sate came here this afternoon with their children. Oct. 14 The wind today set our corncrib off of its foundation without tipping it over. Oct. 20, 1893 Sike is at home digging his potatoes today. I went up on the hill and picked up twelve bushels of potatoes for Sike this afternoon. Anna cleaned the schoolhouse this afternoon and Floyd helped dig potatoes. In the evening we all went to the barn and husked corn. Oct. 21 Sike and Floyd finished digging our potatoes today. We had sixty-three bushels. The children picked up over twenty bushel today. Oct. 22, 1893 (Sunday) Went to meeting at Westfield, took our dinner to Mrs. Grow’s. Floyd stayed with the children at home. Bro. Wilcox from Elmer took charge of the meeting today. Had a very good meeting. In the evening, Sike and I and Carrie and Iva went to Milton’s and had a prayer meeting. Oct. 24 Rhoda and I went to see Josephine Ferris today. Had a good visit, found her very poorly. She expects to have an operation this week to remove a tumor. Oct. 25, 1893 (Wed.) Sike and Milton got a late start to their work today, then came home early, and we all went to Elmer to meeting. Milton, Rhoda, and baby, Sike, myself, Encie, Lula and Anna Crippen all went. Had a very good meeting. Pa came home with us tonight. Helen Brown and baby spent the day here. ‘Tis the first visit she has made with baby. Oct. 29 E. J. Ingersoll died this evening about eleven o’clock with diphtheria. Others at Westfield and the Valley are sick with it. Oct. 31, 1893 Anna is hiring her board now, she commenced boarding here tonight. Nov. 1, 1893 Sike and the others are at their logs today. I have been working about the house and cutting and dresses for Carrie and Iva. Nov. 2, 1893 Sike is skidding logs. I have been baking and sewing all day. Anna helps me sew all the time. She has nights and mornings. Nov. 3, 1893 Ross Crippen came after Anna tonight. Nov. 4 Sike, Floyd and I went o Potter Brook. Sike and Floyd got their colts and brought them home. Pa went with us to Potter Brook then took the train for Harrison Valley. Nov. 5, 1893 (Sunday) ‘Tis quite lowry and muddy. Floyd and Lula and Roy went over to the Post Office this afternoon and hear Charlie Douglass was sick. Sike and I went down towards night. We found Charlie very low, he has had the hardest sick spell this time that he has ever had with his stomach. We came home about ten o’clock. Nov. 6 After supper we all helped in making Sour Krout. Nov. 7 I have been finishing the dresses for Carrie and Iva and baking. We went to prayer meeting this evening. I led the meeting tonight with the Lord’s help. Nov. 8 Floyd got in the last of the garden stuff tonight. I cut out a dress for Lula today and canned my quince and made cauliflower pickles. Nov. 9, 1893 The boys are skidding logs. I am working very hard today trying to sew and doing housework most of the time. Last evening a large animal was seen over where Sike is at work. It set up as tall as a man, of a grayish color, followed a man a quarter of a mile. Its description was that of a kangaroo. Probably escaped from some show which was on a wrecked train. Nov. 10, 1893 (Friday) I have sewed most of the time today. Anna’s father came after her tonight. Sike and the boys skidded logs today. George Potter went home tonight. Nov. 11 Iva, Roy and Fannie went to Grandpa Douglass today. I am sewing all the time I can get from housework. I finished Lula’s dress today. Nov. 25, 1893 ‘Tis real cold and quite good sleighing. Sike and M are banking up their houses. Today is the last day of school. Anna went home from here tonight. It will seem odd to have her gone, she is such a good girl and we all think so much of her. Floyd took all the children, but Neva, in the sleigh, over to Father D’s this evening; they had a nice time. Nov. 28 I went down to Rhoda’s to help her on her dress today. Floyd and Roy drove over to Geo. Potter’s this afternoon. The girls have been doing their very best at sewing while I was gone. Mr. Dillabaugh was buried today. Nov. 30, 1893 This is Thanksgiving Day. Sike and the boys worked at their logs today. Floyd went to the mill and to Westfield. We keep hearing of new cases of Diphtheria all around, the churches and the schools are closed in nearly all the towns around us. Six or seven deaths have occurred at Mills and Westfield. I have been doing all sorts of work today. Dec. 2 Floyd and Lula went up to Charlie Douglass. They found him some better. I have been doing a little of all kinds of work today. George Potter stayed all night with us and so did a young fellow who got lost in Darling Hollow. His name is Roggers. Dec. 3 (Sunday) The churches all around us, as well as the schools, are shut up on account of diphtheria, so we are all at home today. Adda Kilborn died this morning with diphtheria, she was buried today. Dec. 5 ‘Tis pleasant and nice sleighing here on the hill roads. Sike and Milton went to Mr. Prouty’s and got their checks this morning on their logs. This afternoon they went to Westfield. Charlie Perry and wife and baby came here to supper and went to prayer meeting tonight. Dec. 8, 1893 Father went back to the Valley this morning. Sike and Milton are making roads to rank their bark on [To rank is to haul and pile regularly]. They have all the bark to draw from the logs they have skidded. Lula and Carrie took up our sitting room carpet and cleaned the room today. Encie helped them put the carpet down. We took some of our carpet and sewed onto Encie’s for a carpet. Our room is all in order tonight. Dec. 10 Floyd and Encie went to church. They brought the news that Joshie Hendrickson was dead. Died yesterday with diphtheria. Was buried today. Dec. 13, 1893 Sike and I went to Westfield in the afternoon and stayed all night to Bro. Sprague’s. Went to prayer meeting in the evening. Looked up pieces to sing at E.J. and Joshie’s (Hendrickson) funeral. Dec. 15 Sike and Floyd got up more wood today. Sike hitched Kate (the colt) in with Snip and drove her some this afternoon for the first time. She drove very nice. I have been ripping, cleaning, and pressing an old dress for myself today. Dec. 16, 1893 Today Grandma Douglass is 92 years old [Sarah/Sally Redner Douglass, born 1801, died 1895, Hector, PA]. In the afternoon we went over to see her, found Ken. Kilborn and family, with a number of others there. Had a pleasant time. Grandma has a brother across the road from her (Uncle Abner Redner) that is ninety-eight years old, eight years older than Grandma. Dec. 19, 1893 Rhoda Munson came up this morning and I helped her some with sewing. After dinner, Bro. and Sister Ingersolls, Bro. Sprague and wife and Dot, Bro. and Sister Nealy, sister Welch and Satie, Sister Perry and John Perry and Stell Tubbs all came to our house to practice pieces for the funeral. Charlie Perry came in time to eat supper with the rest. All went to meeting in the evening. Afterwards all went home. Dec. 20 Dean Carr came after me to help Emma finish her dress this morning. This evening I helped Sike mend up his horse collar. Dec. 22, 1893 Sike and Floyd have torn down the old woodshed and are putting up a little shed over the back door to answer for this winter. I spent the afternoon with Helen. Christmas is almost here but no one seems to be making much preparations for it this year. Lula is making things for the children. Dec. 24, 1893 Today the funeral sermon was preached for E.J. Ingersoll and Joshie Hendrickson. Elder Robb preached and Eld. French assisted him. We went down and helped sing. Our children all hung up their stockings tonight. They never have before as we have usually had a tree. Dec. 25, 1893 Tis pleasant and warm. A nice Christmas day, but real muddy. Our children was very much pleased with their presents – though they were few. I gave Sike a rocking chair. Eld. French and John Perry came in time to eat breakfast with us. Sike and I called to Helen’s to see Mr. and Mrs. Burns then went to Mrs. Perry’s to supper with Eld. French and wife and Chas. Perry and family, then to the church to meeting, to Mrs. Groves to stay all night. It rained hard this evening. Dec. 26 It froze hard through the night. Sike and I came home this morning and found it terribly rough going. I got home in time to get the dinner for the men who came to the wood-bee to cut wood for the church and Parsonage. Dec. 28 Sike went to Mr. Prouty’s this morning but didn’t get anything for pay but a promise. Dec. 29 Floyd and Roy drove over to Grandpa Douglass after dinner to get our pig. I have been dressing Sike’s rocking chair today. Dec. 31 This is the last day of the year – so I can write no more in this book. This last day the trees are all covered with frost, the ground is covered with snow and everything in nature looks white-haired and as if the old year was putting on its shroud ready for departure. This past year has been a good year to me in many ways, although I have been sick so much yet I have had so much to be thankful for. I can see the hand of God has been guiding in all our ways, and so many mercies and blessings have been granted us that my heart is full of joy and thankfulness for his goodness to us during the past year. Good bye. After Dec. 31, 1893 – Memoranda Sections - Family History Lula Douglass, our oldest girl, gave her heart to the Lord when she was twelve years old, which was in the winter of 1892, Feb., during a revival held by Eld. Ingersoll. She has continued to live religion up to the present time – Feb. 27, 1900. The meetings were held at Westfield. She was baptized and joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church in the summer of 1894. Floyd Douglass, our oldest son, gave his heart to the Lord during the fall of 1892 when he was fourteen years old, during a revival, held at the Hector Centre schoolhouse by Eld. Ingersoll, under Elder Baccus preaching. He has lived his profession ever since. Floyd was baptized by Eld. French I the spring of 1894 and joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church of Westfield the 8th of Sept. following. Both of them always take part in prayer and class meetings and around the family altar. During the last part of Nov. 1899 in meetings held by Eld. Zonser of the F. M. Church assisted by Eld. Barkus, at the Baldwin schoolhouse, Roy Douglass was clearly converted and since given clear evidence of this conversion. Roy was 14 years old in Sept. before. During the same meetings, the same night, Carrie Douglass sought the Lord, but did not reach a clear experience, where she felt satisfied until some time after. She persevered until she found her Saviour. She was 17 years old. She had went to the altar different times before, but did not get a clear experience until now. Iva Douglass went to the altar at the same time but met with no change. During meetings held at the Westfield W. M. Church, Eld. Warburton, Pastor, meetings conducted by Elder Wheeler and wife, Iva was clearly converted and found Jesus her Saviour at the age of 15, Feb. 23, 1900. At prayer meetings held in our house and only our own family present, which we started immediately after Roy and Carrie’s conversion, Fannie Douglass sought the Lord and found Him in our first prayer meeting at the age of 13 years, early in Dec. of 1899. Afterwards not being satisfied she sought again at the meetings conducted by Eld. and Mrs. Wheeler. At our second family prayer meeting held in our home which was the Sunday evening following Fannie’s conversion, Neva Douglass sought and found the Saviour at the age of nine years in Dec. of 1899. Fannie and Neva were both greatly helped in the meetings held the following Feb. 1900 by Elder Wheeler and wife at Westfield. During a camp meeting held at or near Bath in the Dudley neighborhood, Iva sought for a clean heart and sanctification which she received and has been leading a beautiful Christian life ever since. The camp meeting was held the latter part of June and first part of July 1900. Iva was 16 years old in May of the same year. On the 28th day of October, 1900, Iva, Roy and Neva Douglass were baptized by Rev. M. E. Warburton, Pastor the Westfield, Pa. Wesleyan Methodist Church. Baptismal services took place in the Cowanesque River a little west of the village of Westfield near the dam. On the 13th day of Jan. 1901 Iva and Neva Douglass joined the Wesleyan Methodist Church in full membership. June 8, 1902 Carrie and Fannie Douglass were baptized by Rev. S. D. Wilcox, pastor, near the dam above Westfield, on Sunday after the quarterly meeting, June 8, 1902. Arthur Munson was baptized at the same time. They were the first Rev. Wilcox ever baptized. Lula’s Operation On the 29th of May 1901 Lula accompanied by Floyd went to Elmira and the 1st of May he took Lula to the Arnot Ogden Hospital for an operation on her limb. Her left leg has been diseased since she was 6 years old. A grippe had formed in the bone, the results of inflammatory Rheumatism so the Dr. said at the time. Dr. Bair who recently attended her thinks the cause was not rheumatism but the bone is diseased. May 6th an operation was confirmed by Dr. Annabel and assistants. They opened the flesh, found a thickening of the covering of the bones. They drilled through this into the center and found decayed bone. Her leg healed good and on June 8th, she was able to leave the hospital and went to Aunt Mary Stowels [Mary Breese Stowels, born 1840, wife of Rufus] to stay. The Dr. attends her there. She is able at this writing to step some on that leg. July 1st Sike went to Elmira to accompany Lula home. They came home today. Her leg is healing good but it will take some time yet to completely heal up. June 12, 1902 – Lula’s leg is not all healed yet, and it may never entirely heal. Her health is quite good and her knee joint is stiff. Important History of 1900 During the latter half of summer and first half of Fall occurred one of the greatest drouths that our state and New York state has ever known. We had to draw water for all of our stock as well as for our house use for a number of weeks as the springs were dry or nearly so. Many crops were a failure in some localities and nearly all were poor. During the first part or near the middle of Sept. of the same year occurred one of the greatest cyclones our country ever knew. The wind swept from the West Indies across the Gulf and all over Texas reaching as far north as Penna. and New York states. The whole city of Galveston was destroyed as well as many more smaller places, loss of life being estimated as high as 6000 and some said 7000. As far north as Pa. and NY. Winter and Fall fruit was mostly shaken from the trees. Loss of property could hardly be estimated. In or near the 12th of Nov. snow fell in part of Michigan and New York to the depth of 30 inches and three feet blocking trains and stopping travel. On the 14th of November occurred a blizzard accompanied by a heavy fall of rain which did a vast amount of damage all along the eastern part of the US and killed over 200 people and destroying a vast amount of property, stranding vessels, etc., lifting trains clear from the track, blowing buildings for two miles. Water in Cumberland rose twenty feet in 36 hours. On the 26th of Nov. it rained all day, at night began freezing and as the rain continued all night and all day of the 26th it froze as fast as it fell which made limbs and twigs ¼ inch through to 2 inches through (with ice). The extra weight broke down most of the orchards on the hills tearing some out by the roots and broke down the forests. In the valleys it did not freeze but an immense flood occurred taking out railroad bridges and doing a great deal of damage. In Virginia a train of seven coaches containing 200 passengers was thrown into a river drowning all on board caused by the track being undermined by the flood. Dec. 4th snows fell a foot deep here on the hills. 1901 April 3rd Snow fell to the depth of one foot and more which melted. Near the middle of April came another ice storm not quite as great as the first one. Maple Candy recipe from the internet, eaten by the Douglasses in 1893. Jack Wax Maple Candy Heidi Hunt, Mother Earth News Here is a delicious winter treat that is easy to make and has only two ingredients: maple syrup and new snow. My grandma taught me to make this confection and called it jack wax. Put 1 cup of real maple syrup in a pan and bring to a boil. Turn down the heat and simmer to 235 degrees on a candy thermometer (if you don't have a candy thermometer, cook until 'soft ball' stage, which means a spoonful of the syrup dropped into a cup of cold water forms a soft ball). While the syrup is simmering, take a 9-by-13-inch cake pan and fill it with clean snow, packed down well. When the syrup reaches softball, slowly pour the hot syrup in ribbons onto the packed snow. With clean fingers, pick up a section of the caramel-like candy and pop it in your mouth. The combination of the super-sweet maple syrup and the slightly metallic taste of the cold fresh snow is a delightful winter treat. |