1869 & 74 Handwritten Diaries Sandwich ILL Fremont IA China ME Taunton MA Cook
Item History & Price
WELCOMETO SALLY’S DIARIES: Upfor auction today are two handwritten diaries. They do not belongtogether (as far as families are concerned) but I thought it would befun to sell them together as they are around the same time frame. Theearliest diary dates from 1869 and the later diary is from 1874. The1869 diary has an entry for every day and on a few of those days twodifferent people write, his sister I believe. I don’t know theauthor of this early diary but as the diary opens up... the author is inor near Sandwich Illinois and about May he heads home to I believeFremont Iowa. I took a few brief quotes…….1869“Sprinkleda little last night. Partially cloudy thought the day. Windy and coldtonight. Fred took Liz and I down to Sandwich. We took the train intoAurora, from there to Batavia then back to Aurora. I am to Mr.Dunning’s to spend the night. Liz to Mr. Hotches……Rained alittle this forenoon but came off quite pleasant. Clark went thismorning. Meg took me to Sandwich this forenoon. Elisa and Liz went.Hattie and Ella came down to see me start. Went to Mendota. Restedthere half the night…..Quite pleasant I got to Independence thisafternoon. Leme came in a little while. I have written to Liz. We aregoing to stay here all night…..(He then talks about being inIndependence and also mentions Fayette.)…..Cloudy this afternoonand storms a little tonight. We all went off about seven milestonight to a party. Good Buy old diary.” Againthere is a handwritten entry for every day. The second diary belongedto Morris Cook from China Maine. I did find him on the census recordsand it says he was born in 1852. But he also notes his address asTaunton Massachusetts. There are only 35 blank days so this diary isalmost full of handwritten entries. Here are a few examples…...1874“January20th, It has been pleasant. Quite cool. I feel quite well. It has been adark day to me in spiritual things but I have been blessed this eve.Have been to meeting down to the Clark S. hours. It was good to bethere.” “February21st, It has been stormy, rain and snow. Went into the woods this A.M. withsteers. Had a smash up. Been over to J. Roberts this eve. I hope dearbrother is getting better. I should love to see Elsie and sister. Iwant to get back to them.” “February25th, It has same cloudy. Worked some. Uncle Tom and Aunt Jane came down.Oh! I think of two years ago tonight, when I was home. I should loveto be there tonight. Oh, may God bless the one that I was with. I goa letter from Charles. Have been to prayer meeting.” “March10th, Ithas been stormy and cloudy. I have been at home till this eve. I wentto the village. Went to meeting. It was good. Have been picking upthings to pack my trunk. I got no letter from Elsie. I hope there issome good reason.” (He left China and is now in VassalboroMaine where Elsie is)“April10th, Was pleasant this forenoon. Worked part of the day. The baby diedthis morning. It is windy this afternoon. Rains this eve. Have beento the Green to see Eliza.” “April13th, We had a very cold night. It is cool and pleasant today.Attended the funeral of the baby at Mr. and Mrs. Watte. I worked partof the day.” “May31st, Pleasant. Elsie, Nancy and I went to meeting and S. School. I wasgood. How beautiful it looks. To look out and see the apple trees inbloom and the green grass. The work of our God. Why shouldn’t wethank his holy name.” “July22nd, Cloudy. Elsie and I and Nancy went to church. The sermon was good. Westayed to S. School. We had a Floral concert this P.M. I enjoyed itvery much. I have been with Elsie this evening and enjoyed it.” “August27th, “I am the way the truth and the life. No man commeth unto theFather but by me.” Pleasant. Elsie and Emma and I came to CedarGrove. Found mother D. and Ellen all right. We got a cottage. We gotto clam. Went in bathing. Went sailing. Everything is pleasant.” Istopped reading about here. The back of this diary is also filledout; expense records, handwritten home remedies, etc. The1869 diary is in fair shape because the cover is pulling away fromthe binding, first page is loose and some water damage on the insideback cover. It measures about 3” x 5”. The 1874 diary is inbetter shape, a bit worn but over all it looks good. It measuresabout 3 1/4” x 6”.
