Weather will be a big part of every day's entry. On a farm weather is very important. Henry stays home on Sunday instead of going to "meeting" because of the inclement weather.On Monday, Henry works at "cobling and mending" things... Shoe repair for Bart, Stella, and Jen, and repair of a horse harness. A lot of things are made or repaired right at home. No quick trip to the store to buy a new one!
On Tuesday, Sarah and Henry go to town (Naples). 4 bushels of wheat gets them two bags of feed, and a bag of flour at Red Mill. Sarah gets button hole shears, and gets measured for a dress. Henry buys this diary for 45 cents!
Wednesday he and Sarah go visiting. Visiting is a common activity even though it involves pretty much the whole day or sometimes even overnight because transportation is horse and buggy, and even fairly short distances by today's standards involve a few hours of effort.
Click on the picture to enlarge for easier reading of original. Feel free to contact me with corrections, additional information, or comments.
8 comments:
speaking of things older than you...the kids saw a photo in the library yesterday of the No. Cohocton General Store, c. 18-something...proprietor was someone named Kent Olney. Relative of yours?
Copy of comment posted on the other blog by my sister-in-law.
My response....
Nathaniel Kent Olney was the youngest. Age 3 at the time of the diary entries. He is pretty much definitely the owner of that store! Can the kids direct me to where that picture is???!!!
I notice that on Wednesday when they went visiting, he mentioned actually finding them home. *S*
Things like this make me really ponder on our speed of communication. If the other family had decided to go visiting that same day, your relatives would have just had to turn around and go back?
Interesting point! I had been thinking about how long traveling took, but not about whether the folks would be home. I wonder if they had some system of who visited who? when?
I'm looking forward to following your blog, Don. As you know, my G-G Grandfather was Henry C. also. I have read only the first couple of months of his diary, so I think I will enjoy reading this blog! Thanks! DaveO
and you can bet, upon seeing that Dave O. had left a comment, Maeve & I went all woo-wah...;-)
This is fabulous. I love his handwriting!
I am also the great great grandson of Henry and Sarah. My Father is John M Odell, My Grandmother is Janet Rita (Olney) Odell, My Great grandfather is Nathaniel Kent Olney. Do you have an electronic copy of the diary you would be willing to share? I was amazed to see this on the web. Thankyou.
To Welchnavy - Great to hear from you cousin! I'd love it if you can contact me... e-mail is olneydon@gmail.com. I have lots of stuff I can share, including the digital photos of the diary, and other stuff... we are also related to George Soule who came over on the Mayflower! I also have photos of Sarah's 1895 diary... haven't gotten around to working on that one yet. There is a family reunion in early August every year near Naples, NY if you are available? Right now, I can't send you anything without more info.
Post a Comment