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Winslow Maine Crosby Diary

1897

Transcribed from the original handwritten diary of Elizabeth B. Hinds Crosby by her Great Grandson Clyde Spaulding

got picture of W^m & wife 5^th

           also letter from Amanda with check from G

 Nov." 1897   

3^rd Cloudy in morn, but cleared away & we put clothes out & washed colored ones.  Mary was sick did'nt go to school, took care of Pearl. They plowed, picked rocks. F set some glass & killed a sheep.  All been busy & I think are tired, I am for one.  Will go to bed if not to sleep. A great change in my home. 

4^th Beautiful day, very different from a year ago to day when we laid Dear Hanes in his narrow home. It rained hard but his Spirit returned to God who gave it,  How silent and still he passed away.  May my last end be like his. "Nearer my God to thee" is my prayer. Threshers came this morn, began to thresh about 15 minutes to 10, slow work to day as there was considerable grass, got out about 45 bush "Barley. Eddie says it is clean & nice.   _{Mary did'nt go to school}

Mr. Simpson & Jo Cole gone home to night. We have churned, ironedsome and cooked.                   _{had 95 bush" barley}

5^th Cloudy They threshed 105 bush. E says it is slow work as it _{barley and peas 71 bush}is tough. Albion McClintock helped; E wants to keep his straw in the barn. I must go to bed as I did'nt sleep well. 

6^th Cloudy, rainy day  Threshed 97 bush" 86 of it oats and peas. Mr. McCaslin helped as F had the head ache not well.  I have done a little of everything mended socks & I bet I know Nell must be tired but I have indigestion terrible I have to stop cant work as I used to.                    

7^th Fair but quite cool & windy.  Eddie, 6 children & I went to church, quite a good number out.  A concert this eve.  Eddie went to K Mills thought of friends "Not lost but gone before".

8^th Sunshine & clouds.  Stevie carried girls over this morn. They have threshed 30 bush "Oats & peas and 74 clear Oats.  Mr. S does not thresh as he used to. Cole did'nt come was sick, so Mr. S brought his boy. F gave out so E sent for George Hodges.  E wants to keep his straw in barn, think E will be glad when it is done. I shall.

 9^th Dark dismal day rained little & does this eve. Finished threshing about 4 to night loaded up and went down to Hodges.  We had 4 of grain but straw enough for 6 or 700 Mr. S said he had been threshing 6 weeks so it was the most at any barn. We are all glad tis done. F, N, & Stevie been sick all day, have'nt eaten much; or anything to day. W Warren helped, N & Mary done work & I mended. Must go to bed as I am sleepy.

          First snow Nov 12^th I put on my winter boots, sent   

Nov" 1897        letter to W^m also to Amanda 15^th      

 10^th Cleared off last night .  Wind blew & has to day.  We washed white clothes & churned. F & his father went to Mr. Gipson's in morn to see him, he was not at home.  Afternoon Eddie and Rufus carried a grist to mill.  F feels about sick dont eat anything.  Ned went to barn done part of chores but dont feel very well, nor Stevie. L helped thresh to L Hodges.  They finished to night had   bush barley, but stop Thursday.  They go to C Warrens- grain light not many machines now.

 11^th Quite pleasant till most night then clouded up & it is very dark this eve.  I have been busy but do not seem to accomplish much, mended pants for Eddie, done up butter for Oldtown, picked a hen & Nellie washed colored clothes & cooked.  F picked 6 roosters, Eddie & Ned getting in straw from under barn. Afternoon L helped thresh to C Warrens.  H has been in my mind great deal to day.

12^th When we got up this morn ground white with snow & it has snowed all day & blowed. F went to Watt in morn back before noon, carried his chickens, got 12 cts a lb.  He said it was the most blinding storm he ever rode in.  Eddie & boys got straw in forenoon so they got all their sheep under barn. L worked for C W  I have mended.  L said this morn Amos Hinds was 64 yrs old to day.

 13^th It has thawed some to night Ned went after Kate said it was hard traveling.  Wind & snowy quite cold freezing this eve; Eddie and boys hauled straw from under barn.  Nellie has cooked and washed floors think she must be tired. I have mended and fixed vest for F & finished stockings for twins. It has been a very long day to me.

 14^th Bright but quite cold.  Ned carried F over to night  Eddie & 5 children went to church a Mr. Martin a student preached.  I have written to W^m also to Amanda.  It has seemed lonesome when I come into my room to day.

 15^th Nice day to wash, had a large one.  Stevie helped I think N must be very tired. I took up a stocking for Ralph to night, dont get much time to knit.  It has been a very, long, sad day & when I come into my room so cold I thought if H was here there would be a fire. I will not dwell upon it. My prayers increase my faith in God's promises.

Sent letter to Sue 20^th

 Nov 1897

16^th Cloudy, disagreeable day, forenoon E went to mill. 

after dinner he & boys banked up hen house; Lib helped thresh at  A Hodges. Churned and sewed on L's shirt. Nell cooked & cleaned little bedroom.  F is hauling up some wood for Mr. Coleman, I must go to bed.   _{brought in my spread to night}

17^th Cleared off this morn, clothes dry & I brought them in & ironed them then sewed little on F's shirt.  N & Mary  done work, cleaned her bedroom & put down carpet. Stevie helped. F picked & dressed 5 chickens and has gone to Watt" with them. Eddie been plowing in upper field. Ned & F worked for Alton Hodges.  Henry Garland called. It has been a busy day, goodnight.

 18^th Sunshine and clouds.  Eddie plowed in forenoon then chores cleaned henhouse & at end of shed.  L got through at Alton's got home before noon.  Ned went to Mr. Horn's to help him.  N cut out little coats for boys & cooked I finished one of L shirts & mended some hose.  F been to Mr. Colemans getting wood.  Not quite as cold but chilly to night. 

19^th Clear but quite cold.  Eddie & F plowed in upper field.  Ned got home from Mr. Horn's about 3 PM.  F worked for C in forenoon then went to the Mills had a tooth out, it was ulcerated but to night he & Ned gone to the Grange hope he wont get cold. N carried boys coats to Mrs. Fish she makes them. N washed floor and cooked, I mended hose ironed curtains & put them up in sitting room. I get tired easyly will go to bed.

 20^th Cloudy all day, this eve snowed little, froze hard last night.  Eddie went to Mills, then chores, been busy all day,  Sold 17 lambs & an old buck for 58.25 to J M^cGinnis. I have mended  N has cooked & worked round all day.  Ned went to Kate & carried Mary over to Mrs. B's. I am tired or lazy will go to bed.

 21^st Sunshine & cloudy warmer, snow melting running into cistern.  Eddie & 5 children went to church.  Mr. W^ms said he had decided to  _{all are glad}stop awhile - withdrawn his resignation.  Eddie carried F over after tea.  I have written to Sue.  Mr W stops up this eve. If I was near should like to go in.  How many times has F gone up to meeting.

 22^nd Nice day to wash, wind blew very hard last night.  Has'nt to day.  Eddie, Ned, & F got up rest of straw from under barn & hauled dressing.  Stevie helped us wash.  Think all are tired.  I am for one.  F worked for Mr. C.

Nov. 1897

23^rd Fair but quite cold & rainy.  An agent for Mc" Machines stopped here last night  & Eddie pd for his machine 40₀₀ & car­ried him over to the Mills bill him 2.50 after dinner E & Ned went to Watt.  Ned got him a fur coat & under vests & drawers.  Nell cooked & mended.  I ironed white clothes and mended. As Thanksgiving is approaching I very often think of the absent one.

 24^th Nice bright day. They have been hauling out dressing & Eddie put on double windows & fixed up under barn. Churned & Nell has cooked, washed windows. I dressed butter & mended & knit. F hauled load of hay for Mr. C with his horses.  Stevie got Kate.

 25^th Thanksgiving & we had a nice dinner, all of the children at home, but one was missing that used to offer thanks. I thought of it when I sat down to the table but I am thankful that we all are so well.  I also thought it doubtful about my being with them another year but will say "All the days of my appointed time will     _{& helped mother}I wait till my chance comes"  Kate has fixed dress for Ruth.  Nell cooked, I have mended.  Eddie & L fixed tub & put under barn & put a lamb in.  snowed little after noon but rains this eve.  Must go to bed.

 26^th Dark lonesome day. I have mended Ned's overcoat, Libs Pants,   _{E sold small heifer went to day}& other things & knit.  girls done work  after dinner Nell & baby went up to Anna's little while, came back before dark.  Eddie has gone to the camp at Watt.  Wind blows hard, think he will be glad when he gets home.

27_th Not very cold.  Eddie & boys at work under barn in yard girls cooked & washed floors. I swept my room & mended.  At about 4 PM Stevie went over & got Joan,  F got home all right.

28_th Cold last night , milder to day.  One of the colts got cut so Eddie did'nt get ready for church but 6 children went did'nt go very rough. Mr. W_m's wife was here to tea.  Eddie has gone over with Kate.  It has not seemed like Sabbath day.  How much I have thought of H  to day.  F, Ned & G went to Clinton last eve to a Grange sociable.

 29^th Cloudy & about 4 PM it began to snow little.  Eddie & F hauled dressing in forenoon then hauled load of hay for Mr. Coleman. F carried Joan up to D O Smileys this morn, he has helped in house some and at barn.  Ned, Stevie, Rufus, Mary & Ruth went to school this morn.  scholars in Dist" below came here. We washed white clothes put them out also some colored ones & stockings.

           Letter from Amanda with check from G  Dec"2^nd

           Letter from Sue 6^th

 Nov" 1897

30^th Nice day but quite cold N washed prints. I washed dishes &

helped round & mended.  F helped Mr. Eames thresh. F carried Joan _{Effie Davis was down}over house to night.  Bert Reed started for Kansas this morn, he has the Rheumatism, went for that, has a chance to work.

 Dec"1^st Cloudy, snowed some.  E & F worked round the barn fixing up for winter.  F helped Mr. Eames.  I made button holes in twins coats & mended.  Mrs. Fish made them. N cooked and ironed some. 

2^nd Cold, but we know nothing about it plenty of good wood while many suffer, hope I shall be thankful for the many mercies I daily receive.  An agent for Phosphate stopped here to night. N has cooked & ironed. G & I began a dress for Pearl.  Eddie & L hauled dressing F chored & made a Pig's trough, so all busy. I will go to bed am tired. 

3^rd Bright quite cold Eddie & F hauled dressing. N done work I dressed butter & sewed & knit little  am sleepy must go to bed.

 4^th Sunshine & clouds.  E & F got corn fodder from upper barn.  Heard that a boy by the name of Green was killed in Pulp mill at Winslow 15 yrs old Sad.  I finished Pearls dress & mended hose.  Been a very cold day.  How much I have thought of Hanes who two yrs ago to night seemed to enjoy the eve as our golden wedding was celebrated by over 100 being present: I will stop              _

 5^th Bright but quite cold.  Eddie N & 5 children, twins, went to church. F carried K over this eve. some went to prayer meeting, wish I could join. "The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak." I have read a very good sermon.  I begin to feel that I am growing old when I think that I am 75 yrs old to day 3 yrs older than Mother was when she died.

 6^th Nice day to wash, got done before noon. After dinner E & N went to Watt" shopping. Joan Learned started for Kentshill to spend the winter with Sarah.  Joan is 80 yrs old to day. She is Smart for one of her yrs.

 7^th Cloudy all day, snowed little this eve.  Boys put bees in cellar. F set some glass  E & F hauled some dressing.  I have made dress for baby. N & M done work & ironed.

 8^th Cloudy squally snowed little Eddie went to mill on sled F & L cut browse in forenoon.  Pearl has had a bad cold in her head. I have made another dress for her to day.  Have thought so of H.

                  Letter from Asenath 17^th

 Dec.1897

9^th Cloudy & foggy not very cold. E has hauled dressing. N cook­ing.  I have made another dress; makes 4 glad they are done am tired.

 10^th Another cloudy foggy day. E has hauled dressing. About 10 AM I went down to Hatties came home about 4 had a good visit.  While there I thought of H being so near or rather where he was buried, but hope his spirit has returned to God who gave it. How precious the thought.

 11^th Sunshine & cloudy.  Eddie finished getting out his dressing then fixed up some under barn. I dressed butter & churned.  Nell & Mary cooked & washed floors.  Ned went after grist saw Kate she did'nt come home to night.  F has gone to town this eve.  When I came into my room just at night it looked O so lonely. 

12^th Dark rainy day. Mr. W^m did'nt come in but 5 went up to Sab. school. rained hard this eve. It has been a long day to me. My prayer is "Nearer my God to thee".

 13^th Some clouds, not very cold. Eddie & F worked under barn. S & Ned in woods cutting wood & browse. Nell & I washed.  It is quite muddy seems as though Hanes was near. 

14^th Cloudy all day.  In forenoon E & Ned hauled a load of gravel for barn. F & L cut wood.  After dinner Eddie & F went to Watt, got 2 pair pants. N done work & ironed some. I began a shirt for   _{snowed this eve}F.  They came over after F from Fuller's as they have another trial with Mr. F & want F to go with milk.  A sad day to me.

 15^th Rainy day, at times rained very hard. E & boys chored, cut wood, & cleaned hen house & N cooked, finished ironing & I sewed & mended some. It has been a long day did'nt sleep well last night.

 16^th Cleared off in the night , been bright, not very cold so  Eddie & F plowed. E said about 1¹/₄ acre. I finished F's shirt & made some sleeves and put them in for Stevie. N & Mary busy cooking, sweeping, & wiping. Ned went got Kate just at night as Eddie & N have gone to Watt" to dedication of Odd Fellows Hall.

 17^th Sunshine & clouds. Eddie & F been plowing. Ned carried K _{Ned went down to Grange}over this morn as usual. N & Mary busy.  I have mended hose & mittens. This is the 51^st anniversary of Katy"s Birthday. O the changes in our family.  Nearer my God to thee

                  Mr C Wood killed 2 pigs 23^rd

            Mr W^ms & wife started for Penn" the 22^nd

 Dec 1897

18  Eddie & F plowed some but think tomorrow morn it will be frozen as it is cold & wind blows.  E got K to night cause it is very rough.  They put some browse around house. N & Mary cooked.  I dressed Butter & mended guess all are tired.

19^th Nice day but quite cold.  Eddie, N & 4 children been to church. Mrs John Simpson (Mrs. Coleman's Mother) buried to day age _  also a Mrs.­­_ out in Winslow  E has gone with K.  Stevie is building fire at church this winter so he has gone to prayer meeting.  Wish I could go.

 20^th Nice day to wash but tis dark & cloudy this eve. Eddie has gone to Augusta, was summoned to Court as a witness in the Hodges & Fuller trial. Children went to school again as Emma is better, had two weeks vacation. No one knows how I miss Eddie seems as though my all has gone.

 21^st Snowed little till after 3 PM but not enough to make sled­ding.  Ned went over to the cars to get his father, he didn't come in the regular train but as there was one come again to Watt in eve Ned stopped & Eddie came.  They didn't get home till after ten.  We felt very anxious till they came. I have mended & ironed. F cut down an old apple tree back of the house it looks odd but it cumbered the ground.

 22_nd Not as cold, bright nice day, & I was glad for Bob Heath was buried; for it was so sad the day that  Hanes was buried it rained so hard.  We dressed 3 chickens in forenoon.  After dinner Eddie & Nell went to K Mill's & Watt". Ruth helped me take care of Pearl.

 23^rd Some cloudy.  Mr C Wood killed 2 pigs F helped some. N has cooked. I finished putting back into a vest for Eddie.  Think all are tired.  I am & sleepy for I didn't sleep very well last night.

 24^th Nice day but quite cold. Eddie sold 1 pig to the K Mills it weighed 263 lbs got 5cts a lb for it.  I mended F K & Ned went to the Fuller school house.  They had a Christmas tree. Ned got Kate, she's come with Alice for the present. 

25^th Pleasant not quite as cold, but cold enough.  We had a tree at home, all seemed to enjoy it. I often thought of Hanes for he used to enjoy seeing the children happy. They have a tree at the church this eve. Eddie, N & 6 children & Lib went. 4 of the children took a part. Kate staid at home with baby & me. All enjoyed the eve.

Dec 1897

26  Eddie carried children up to Sab" school, but there was no meeting as Mr. W^ms gone to Penn" and none this eve as it snows.  I have spent part of the day talking with friends by writing to W^m Sue & Amanda I am very tired as it tires me to write.

 27^th Bright nice day to wash about noon wind blew quite hard, this eve stars are thick.  Eddie & F went to K Mills, She got her trunk. How often I think of the absent friends.

 28^th Bright still day water dropped from eaves.  Churned & mend­ed.  F & L cut down an old oak up in grove on hill. No one knows how much I miss Hanes.  Home is changed.

 29^th Bright cold day.  I have been mending. Eddie & F & L been cutting few pine by side of road by upper field.  Nell been down to Hatties this afternoon.  E went down to tea, I miss him Cora Skillins & Belle James called.

 30^th Snowed quite hard early in morn then cloudy till about 3 PM  sun shone bright, warmer. I have mended.  Mrs Olliver took dinner with us. I am sleepy, did'nt sleep much after B this morn.

 31^st The last day of the year.  How many during the past year have been called from Live into Eternity, our circle is unbroken but we know not what a day will bring forth.  It has been a busy day indoors and out,  Eddie hauled 3 loads of pine to the Pulp mill: this eve gone to Watt to the camp. Kate & Stevie gone to C E meeting. Must go to bed.