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Annie R. Stuart's diary describes a woman's activities including school teaching, courtship, and marriage as well as domestic chores. During this time, her husband and brother served in the Union army.

Annie R. Stuart Diary - 1861

October 1861

Tuesday, October 1, 1861
Did the work. Nancy had a peculiar sick spell. Sewed a little on my dress. Very pleasant day. Read some. Went up to Fathers. Stayed a few moments. Not very interesting to me. All past _____ would uncalled for rush _____ my mind whenever I see the woman that lives with my Father.

Wednesday, October 2, 1861
Went to Mr. Troxel to do some washing for Jim. Got done about 2 PM. Mollie and I went to the melon patch and ate all that was good for us. Started home. Met Mr. Dunn. Talked a long time. He gave me a letter from Annie S. I read it to him. Read the daily. Talked.

Thursday, October 3, 1861
Got ready to go to the fair. Went with Mr. Troxells folks. Had a pleasant time. Saw a great many of my god friends. Mr. C and I went home with Sophia and stayed all night. We had a social time generally. Fair did not quite fizzle. Pretty good considering the hard times.

Friday, October 4, 1861
Went to the fair. Got there early. Saw all the nice things. Saw lots of kind friends. Spent the day pleasantly. Hard rain came up just after the ladies rode. Bought a pair of shoes. Talked. Mr. C. brought me home. Had a pleasant ride. Got home about dark. Heard Dunn goss a little. Did not truly like some things he said. A letter from Rob.

Saturday, October 5, 1861
Cut out Violas cloak. Tried to sew. Felt homesick and did not feel like working. Mary T. came. Talked. Commended a letter to Rob. Jim came. I went with him up to Bogarts. Had quite a time talking about everything. Came Home. Dunn here. Read some in the daily. Martha and I went up to Theodores a little while. Did not care about.

Sunday, October 6, 1861
Went to Sabbath school. Very rainy. Not many there. Dunn preached. came home through the rain. Helped get dinner. Wrote a letter to Robert and wrote one to David.

Monday, October 7, 1861
Helped to wash. Mr. Jewel called. Did not get his dinner. Mr. Dunn was not at home. Nan and Mollie came. Mr. McKein and wife came. Had a great time talking. It was a wonder who could talk the faster. Mollie and I went to the office. Got a letter from Mr. C. Mr. D. and I went to geography school.

Tuesday, October 8, 1861
Fixed some of Bro. Dunn's clothes. Finished cutting Viola Cloak. Nan B. came and many others. Went to hear J.D. Lee and Dunn lecture on the state of the county and try to get volunteers. It was good, but only two men was patriotic enough to enlist. I felt just as though I wanted to go for them. Read of the distress of war. Boys talked about matters and things. Dunn said just what he pleased. I wrote to Mr. C. Went to bed about 10 oclock.

Wednesday, October 9, 1861
Sewed on Viola's cloak. Mr. McKein came in and had a long talk. Dunn and I acted the dunce a little. M. scolded us. Wrote some. Felt very patriotic. Wanted to go to war. Nan Bogart came for me to go home with her. I went. Talked like sixty. Dunn went to Jims to see his friend Jim.

Thursday, October 10, 1861
Sewed on Violas cloak. Inez and Martha came. Had a good visit. Heard the bell toll the death of Mr. Milliman. Came home. Found a letter from Robert. Glad to get it. Read the papers. Commenced a letter to Rob.

Friday, October 11, 1861
Finished Violas cloak. Went down town. Called at Mr. Halls. Went in to Mrs. Millimans. They felt bad. Went in to see Mrs. McKeins. They were not very well. Got some paper and a pack of envelopes. Got some things for Martha. Came home. Wrote some. Dunn came home pleased with his visit. Jim came. Talked of the hardship the boys had to endure. Felt anxious about them.

Saturday, October 12, 1861
Helped do the work. Pleasant morn. Backed two letters and two papers for Rob. Sewed a little. Went up to Inezes and spent the afternoon. Had quite a pleasant time. Came home. Read the papers. Wrote some. Felt sorry for the four boys that lay in camp and have to endure so many hardships and are cheated out of what they ought to have.

Sunday, October 13, 1861
Went to Sabbath school. Pleasant morn. Not many there. Heard Mr. McKein preach. Came home. Read some. Had dinner. Finished a letter to Mollie W. Finished Roberts letter. All went to the graveyard there to see the last resting place for man. Went to prayer meeting.

Monday, October 14, 1861
Helped do the morning work. Dunn came home. Got dinner. Sewed some. Got ready to go down street. Mr. Millimans body came. Went over there. Very sad indeed to have one of the boys brought home a corpse. Went to the post office. Got two letters. One from Robert and the other from Mr. C. Came home, helped Martha.

Tuesday, October 15, 1861
Very pleasant and warm. Went down street. Came back. Got dinner. We went to the funeral. A very large crowd. House filled _____ and all. McKein preached a good sermon. Every one felt as though we did not know, but some near friend of our would be the next to be brought home. Had company. Finished my dress. Went to bed.

Wednesday, October 16, 1861
Quite warm. Went in to Mrs. Thompsons to get a basket pattern. Went in to Mrs. Arsburns (?). Came home. Mrs. Bartell came. Mr. Mc(?) came in to teach me how to sew on the machine. Had not time to learn. Finished ironing. Wrote to Mr. C. Got supper. Mr. Mc (?) came in. Had a great time talking. Little brother and I had quite a talk.

Thursday, October 17, 1861
Hung up my muslin, 50 yards. Had company for dinner. Tried to sew some. Brother Mc came in to fix the machine. Did not get it to work very well. I did not try it. Commenced my stacking. Got a little spunky at dinner. Read some. Rainy evening.

Friday, October 18, 1861
Raining. Fixed some work for the machine. Talked. Wrote a letter to Annie S. James came and we had quite a chat generally. Got supper. Dunn not here. Did the work. Read in the daily. Little brother came. Dunn got his supper. Did the work. Read some.

Saturday, October 19, 1861
Martha spinning. Left me to attend to domestic affairs. I could just do that. Once in a while I would crusha (crochet) brade or knit ____. Fooled some with Dunn. Nan B. came. I went down town with her to get some little notions. Came back. Inez here. Went home with her. A big notion to learn to paint. Sent to Tiffin with Albert to get some winter clothes and gloves for Rob. Got them. Cost $2.50cts.

Sunday, October 20, 1861
Pleasant. Went to Sabbath School. Not many there. Heard Mc. preach a very good sermon. Inez and The. here for dinner. Wrote to Maggie Shuly (?). Went up with Martha to see Mrs. Mills. Went to prayer meeting. Had a very good one. Came home. Read some. Wrote some to Robert. Albert wrote to Reb. (?) WHC Paintin (?). I read it after he went to bed so he could hear how it sounded.

Monday, October 21, 1861
Marked Roberts underclothes and gloves and fixed them. Helped to wash. Talked to McKein. He said Dunn and I could not go to Clarksfield. Wrote a note to Annie S. Got supper. Got a letter from Mr. C. Felt rather bad over it. Wrote one to Jim. Martha tried to torment me about it.

Tuesday, October 22, 1861
Ironed. Martha spun. Wrote some to Robert. Crushaid (crocheted) some. Talked. Thomas came up after me. Went. Took my quilt. Called to see Jim and Father work at their molasses (mollasses). Father looked old and tired, felt sorry for him. He thought it would be a treat to have me to visit him. Went to Jims to stay with Nancy all night. Talked about everything. Lill, Jim came. Cold and wet. Rained.

Wednesday, October 23, 1861
Got up about 3 o'clock (?). Jim started. Did not do much until daylight. Wrote some to Rob. Knit some. Albert came. Brought me a letter from bro. R. Glad to hear that he was well. Went to Thomases. Put in my quilt. Had no trouble. Lib helped me some. Played with little Albert. He very mischievous. Liked to tease his aunty.

Thursday, October 24, 1861
Albert called his aunty. I went in his room and pulled him out of bed and tried to wash his face. Quilted. Mary and Thomas and children went to Tiffin. Lib and I stayed al home. Nan stayed. Mary and I went down to see Susie Griffin. Wrote some to Robert. Felt anxious about him.

Friday, October 25, 1861
Quilted. Got along very well. Father and Jim came with their new molasses. Very nice indeed. Thomas brought me to town. Mary took my books. She twisted some yarn. The girls came after me to go to see them bail eargum. Came back. Read the papers.

Saturday, October 26, 1861
Helped do the work. Dressed. Went down town. Went in to Mrs. Shaw. Went in to Mrs. Halls. Went to see grandmother Sheidly. Went to the store. Went to church. Heard a man from Norwalk. Nan Bogart here. Bro. Dunn came home. Felt a little disappointed. Wrote some to Bob. Bogarts horse got loose. Did not go to bed till 12 oclock.

Sunday, October 27, 1861
Went to Sabbath School. Heard Dunn preach. Came home, got dinner by the time they came. Alone. Our folks went to Bogarts. Read some. Wrote. Han and Rob McMun came. Had a social chat. Went in to Mr. Gregorys. Mollie and L. Milliman and Miss G and I went to church. Came back. Finished Robs letter and when done I had two fools cup and part of another.

Monday, October 28, 1861
Fine morning. Washed. Crushaid (crocheted) some. Fixed some of Dunn's clothes. Got a letter. Miffed at him. Took my bonnets to Mrs. Thomas. Talked to Inez. Went to the office. Got a letter from Mr. C. A little surprised at some of his ideas. Wrote to him because I was going to leave town.

Tuesday, October 29, 1861
Helped do the morning work. Walked down to Thomasas to quilt. Nan and Mollie came over to help me. Had a social little time. Went home with Nan. Went up to see Father. Had quite a talk. The old woman rather snappish. Did not ask Father for molasses to pay for my bonnet. Went back to Jims. They laughed at me.

Wednesday, October 30, 1861
Went back to Mary's to quilt. Lib tried to torment me about all the time.. Nothing special.

Thursday, October 31, 1861
Quilted. Thought as much as I chose to. Lib inclined to tease me. Fingers got very sore. Crushaid (crocheted) some. Talked and thought about the boys. Heard of the tragedy in Republic between Robinson and others.

November 1861

Friday, November 1, 1861
Got my quilt out. Mary helped me a little. Eat dinner. Went to Mr. Troxills. Nan there. Went to Jims. They brought me to town. Called at Mrs. Thomases to see about our bonnets. Inez came in. Celia here. Got supper. Martha not with Dunn. Came home. Rained.

Saturday, November 2, 1861
Very rainy. Did the work. Felt gloomy. Got a letter from Mr. C. Read the daily. Was surprised by having Frenando and Rob come in. Did not think of seeing him. All glad to see him and such a chatting time as we did have. Went up to Mr. Calwells. Came back. Talked. Went to bed.

Sunday, November 3, 1861
Very rainy and gloomy. Seemed very natural to have Rob at home. Wrote to Maze Grubb. Quite a number in to see Rob. Mr. C. came. Frenando here in the eve and such a tare as we did have. He was in his elements tormenting me. Spent the pleasantly.

Monday, November 4, 1861
Mr. C. started home. Broke his sulky. McKein in. fernando here. Nan B. here. Jim came up to see Rob and about one thing and another. Dunn came home. Glad to form Robs acquaintance. Crushaid (crocheted) some. Brade and sewed it on Violas skirt. Several in in the eve. Had quite a chatting time.

Tuesday, November 5, 1861
Washed. Mary came. Helped me some. Rob and I went to the academy. Came home. Found Father, Nan and Mollie, Eliza and Hannah Hall here. Had a social chat. Han and I was dared to put on hats and go down town. We did not take the dare. Put them on and all went down to the store and office. Eve. We went Mr. Seats (?) on a surprise party. Miss Thompson stayed all night with me. Had a big chat.

Wednesday, November 6, 1861
Ironed. Cleaned my dress and Dunn's coat. Got two letters from Berwick. One from Mollie W. and the other from Mae S.(?).

Thursday, November 7, 1861
Finished ironing. Sarah L came for me to go with her to Peats on a visit. Went. Had a nice time. Nell and (?) came down town. Went in to Mr.s Millimans. Went back and stayed till after supper. All came down to Shaws on a surprise party. Had a big time cooking (?) beef. S and I stayed all night.

Friday, November 8, 1861
Talked awhile. Came home. Worked some. Baked some. Got ready and went to the academy. Last day of school. Went down to MrKeins with Sarah and Inez. Han came home with me. Went down town. Could not tell how often had a taffy party at Halls.

Saturday, November 9, 1861
Helped to do the work. Got ready to go to Oseala. Bob and I went. Called at L. Inks. Got to Mr. Grubs about 4 o'clock. Glad to see us. Went over to Mr. Myers and spent the eve. All glad to see us. Had a pleasant time. Came back to Mr. G and cut up pretty high. Talked about war.

Sunday, November 10, 1861
Went to church. Heard Mr. Fairchild preach. After dinner (had preacher for dinner) started home. Maze came with us. Had a great time. Got home about dark. Fernando here. Found a letter from Mollie. Mc glad to hear from her. All went to church. Got back. Sung and cut up a little and etc. and etc.

Monday, November 11, 1861
Done a big wash. Jess and Lib came. Had lots of company. Two big wagonloads of us folks went down to Jims and a buggy load too. Preacher and all to spend the eve. Had a very nice time. Played Sharades. * Lum (?) orator (?) had taffy and nuts pie and cake and lots of fun. Got home. Preacher satup till morn.

Tuesday, November 12, 1861
Felt rather gloomy and sleepy. Did not try to work much. Jess, Maze and I went down to get a treat. Uncle L.W.S. treated us to wine. Went to the reading. Stayed a short time. Went with Sarah to Shaws. Went back to the a. Mr. W. came home with me. Went to the institute. Perfect failure as far as debate ___ concerned me. W. came home with me. Got a letter from Mr. Cline.

Wednesday, November 13, 1861
Did the work. Nan and Mrs Park came. Talked. Mazeand I went to the institute. Had a nice time. Miss Rawson and I went to Mrs. Shaws at recess. Went back to the acad. to parsing (?) class. Good many there that I knew. Came home. Dunn here. Got supper. M. and I went to the lecture. _____ lectured on properties of matter after a discussion and etc. Came home. Wrote a letter to Mr. C. _____ powdered. Went to the acad.

Thursday, November 14, 1861
Got up early. Helped do the work. Got ready to go to Tiffin. Went. Spent near $5.00. Went out to Mr. Ellises for dinner. Came home with Theadore. Rained some. Got home. Went to the institute. Heard Prof. Halden deliver an excellent address on the improvement of the mind, after which was a very interesting discussion. Resolved that no lession should be taken twice in succession.

Friday, November 15, 1861
Very stormy and snowed some. I ironed some. Went to the instituion. Heard Mr. Haldon leture and it was good. Came home at noon. _____ was miscellaneous. Eve. Heard Mrs. S B. Gage lecture on man and woman. Full house and was very interesting "for a woman". All came in and had one of the biggest times cutting up. Had a rig an Bak (?). Maze liked to kill herself laughing.

Saturday, November 16, 1861
Got ready to go up to Mr. Bogarts corn husking. Nell Teat went with us. We went on a gib load of straw. Had fun. Went to the filed and husked some. Han one of the biggest turkeys for dinner. All enjoyed it but Father. Had a good time. Came home. Went to hear Mrs. Gage. Her subject was description of St. Domingo. Was too tired to enjoy it.

Sunday, November 17, 1861
Went to Sabbath school. Not many there, but all felt anxious to get up more interest in school. Heard McKein preach a good sermon. Came home. Read the description of the battle of Port Royal, which victory was won the 8th. Went to hear Mrs. Gage lecture. Her subject was home influence.

Monday, November 18, 1861
Washed some. Nan came up after me to go down and help her fix for a husking. I left the wash tub and went with her. Mollie was awful crabbed (?) but worked as hard as we could to get ready for the husking. Beautiful eve. About 30 was there. Had a nice time. Played a little.

Tuesday, November 19, 1861
Cut out my dress and Maze and I sewedlike sixty. Martha ironed and we talked as much as we pleased. We worked till afternoon, then Maze and I went down town. Called at Halls. Chatted and went to the office and I got a letter from Mr. C. Heard favorable war news. Sewed on my dress.

Wednesday, November 20, 1861
Sewed on my dress. Maze helped me some. Had some company. Han was here. Rob dared Maze to go with him and she did. I got supper. Martha and A. went to Mr. Crushes (?). Maze stayed all night with Nan. I finished my dress in the eve.

Thursday, November 21, 1861
Ironed the fine clothes. Just got done when Nan came for me to go with her to visit Mrs. Swagarts. Had a nice visit. Came home. W.B. came for us to go and sit up with Mr. Crushes (?) wake. He died with hemerage (hemorrhage) of the gums and we had the greatest time killing chickens and baking cake and hunting things and ____ and etc. During the night I wrote to Mr. C. Did not feel very sober.

Friday, November 22, 1861
Felt a little tired. All of us had a great tiem playing tricks. Day ____ and no friends there and we did not care. Had a great time catching chickens for dinner and had a much greater time getting it. Perfect confusion. We got most spunky. Did not go to the funeral. Came down town ____ not know how often. Came home through the rain. Went in to see ____ W. Went to bed 6 o'clock.

Saturday, November 23, 1861
Got up at 6 o'clock. Fixed Viola's skirt. Ate lots of dinner. Dunn came home. I went to Bro. McK. to make arrangements about Sabbath school. Had a pleasant time. All agreed well. Han, Maze and I went to the office, then to Teats, then home through the snow. The girls came in and spent the eve. Had a pleasant time.

Sunday, November 24, 1861
Went to Sabbath School through the snow. Not many there. Had a pleasant little time electing superintendent. Mr. Kein preached. Came home. Got dinner. Han came over to see Maze start home. Wrote to Mollie W. Read some. Rob and I went to church. Called at Mrs. Millimans for the girls to go along. Wll went through the snow. Thought it only fun.

Monday, November 25, 1861
Got up early. Washed a large washing. Snowed all the time. Fixed a roll for my hair. Went to school. Very few schollars. Did not try to organize. A good crowd of girls started. All full of live and fun. 3 of them came down for me. Came home. Studied some. Eve. Went down to Mr. Heysus. Had rather a dry time. Went in the sleigh and walked home.

Tuesday, November 26, 1861
Went to school. All felt as though we wanted to try to learn. Had a pleasant time. Not a very large school. Girls in and out. Han here after me two or three times. Celia came. Went with her down street. Got a long letter from Mr. C. Studied till bedtime. Found it pleasant.

Wednesday, November 27, 1861
Got up a 4 o'clock. Studied one hour. Helped get breakfast. Went to school. Had a good time. Lessons good. Had a nice time in the algebra class. Had a good lesson. Came home. Studied Algebra some. Dunn came home. Seemed pleased at the prospect of more interest in Sabbath school. Tormented me some. Mollie W. married Sunday.

Thursday, November 28, 1861
Thanksgiving Day. No school. Did the morning work. Went to church. Bro. Mc. preached the most truthful sermon we ever listened to. It was heard with interest. Nan and Martin here for dinner. Went down street with Nan. Came back, met Han and Mollie. Went home with them. Went to hear man from Va. lecture on the present crisis. Very entertaining and good. Will B. came home with me. Wrote a letter to Mr. C.

Friday, November 29, 1861
Did the work, part of it. Went to school. Had a pleasant time. Lessons passed off. Finely all in good spirits. Came home. Tried to work some. Wrote a letter to Maggie S. Went to the office with H. Oyler (?). Went to the store. Came back to the office. Went down to the drug store. Was shut up. Went to back home. Tried to work a little.

Saturday, November 30, 1861
Helped do the morning work. Got ready to go to the funeral of Mrs. Lahman. A good many there. Preached by McKein. Jim and Nan, Mr. and Mrs. Troxell here for dinner. Made my head dress. As finished it Mr. C. came. Glad to see him. Inez here. Had a pleasant little chat with her. Spent the eve very pleasantly. Rob and C. had quite a time.

December 1861

Sunday, December 1, 1861
Quite a snow. Went to Sabbath school through the snow. Not many there. Did not have a very pleasant time. Quite a time of contention. Did not stay for preaching. Rob and C. came home and I came and stayed with them. Sang and had a pleasant time. Read some in the Advocate and in the Bible. Did not go to church.

Monday, December 2, 1861
Helped do the work. Took up the carpet and had quite a time with the dust. Went to school in time for Algebra class. Had a good time solving the examples. Arithmetic passed off without any trouble. P.M. Elecutian M., Arithmetic and parsing (?) classes passed off finely. Was very sorry I could not go to school everyday.

Tuesday, December 3, 1861
Got up early. Our folks butchered. Nan Bogart helped us some. It was pleasant to butcher for there was snow on the ground. Worked like sixty. Did the housework. Some of the girls in. Inez here in the eve. Had a great time cutting up lard. Jim came up. Mr. C. came over. Did not feel very funny. Had a note from Inez written on a little board. Studied Algebra.

Wednesday, December 4, 1861
Terrible looking house was ours this morn. Worked hard all day to get things put away. Felt very tired. Dunn wanted me to go with him to Mr. G. Did not feel like going and begged to be excused. Han came over to get us to help her in Algebra. Read the President's message aloud. Had a little sing.

Thursday, December 5, 1861
Washed. Helped to clean the house. Dunn helped some and did not forget to torment me occassioonaly. Felt almost give out more than once, but being so ambitious would not give up. Rob went to Fremont. Read some.

Friday, December 5, 1861
Rid up the house. Had a great time. Dr. Barthartz came and found us upstairs. Martha had ten teeth drawn. Hurt her some. I guess he was here for dinner. I baked some doughnuts. Felt tired. Eve. Albert and Rob put down the carpet. I blacked the stove. Jesse here a short time. Felt a little cross because I could nto have things clean. They tried to tease me.

Saturday, December 7, 1861
Fixed up the parlor. Rid up Rob's and my trunk. Albert and R. went to Tiffin. Washed my (? own) body. Darned some stockings. Went in to see Mr. Shaw. Went to Mrs. Williams. Had a long chat there. Mollie and I went to the office. Many a thing for us. Saw Nill _______. Saw Rush B. and talked with him. Dunn came home cheerful.

Sunday, December 8, 1861
Went to Sabbath school.. Had a good one. Such a nice large class. Heard an Albright preach the funeral of Mr. Reeds child. Came home. Inez and The here for dinner. Inez and I had lots of fun hiding from our folks. Han came over in deep trouble and wanted my sympathy. Went to prayer meeting. Stayed all night with Hann.

Monday, December 9, 1861
Came home. Went to washing. Sophia and The came. Stopped to visit and did not get done till most night. Some of the girls came in to see me. I went to the fence to talk to others. Mr. (? Kelly) here. Went down street with him. Went to the girls room. Had some fun. Han got spunky. Her and I spent the eve with Inez.

Tuesday, December 10, 1861
Had a great time coloring dresses. Got mine a pretty good color. Dunn and I fooled some. Eve. Jim was here. Went a peace with hom. Met Bro. and sister. Mr. (? Mc_____) came in to our house. had a very pleasant visit indeed. Bro. Mc. took my letter. Got a letter from Mr. C. Poor J. H. dead. Felt sorry. Felt bad about Rob. Cried about him. Cried about him. Felt so anxious to have him make somebody of himself.

Wednesday, December 11, 1861
Helped do the work. Went down street. Went to the store, etc. Fixed my dress some. Ironed some. Did nto like to do anything. Rob came home from Adrian and told me just what he had a mind to and I could nto tell what to believe. Said he was going to camp. Got a letter from Mollie Shoemaker. Made some collars for Mary. Talked with Rob. Went to bed and had dreams about (? W.H.B.).

Thursday, December 12, 1862
Did part of the work. Cut out Violas dress and sewed some. Four of the girls came in to see me. Baked some snaps for Dunn. Got two letters. One from Annie __ and the other from Eliza W. Glad to har from them. Jim here. Talked with him about Rob etc. Wrote to Mr. C. Read the Tribune.

Friday, December 13, 1861
Helped to finish Viola's dress. Went over to Bro. Mc. to sticht some collars. Had a very pleasant little time talking with Bro. Mc. and wife. Went to their gate to talk to some of the girls. Went in to Mr. Halls. Came home ____ Miss Gregorys here. Went out on a surprise. Called to see Mr. Shaw. Went to Theadore Ellis on a surprise.

Saturday, December 14, 1861
Helped do the morning work. Cut out 4 shirts for Albert. Got ready and went to the funeral of Mr. Rocky's child and it was a sweet little girl. How angelic it did look. Started down street to make some calls and met Libbie coming to our house and had to go back. Read. Spent the eve very well.

Sunday, December 15, 1861
Helped do the work. Went to Sabbath school. Had a very good one. Had such a nice large class. Bob Chamberlain wanted to divide my class and I told them if any one wished to have another teacher they could go into another class and not one would go. Heard a good sermon. _____ in my little _____. Home with Jim. Had a pleasant time.

Monday, December 16, 1861
Cut out the outside of my dress. Made the waist and skirt and put them together. Nan and I had a great time talking about matters and things. Rob came home and told me that the directors of the east school wanted me to teach their school. I told him if he did not teach it I would. She teaches ______.

Tuesday, December 17, 1861
Beautiful morn. Went to the school house to teach for Jim while he butchered. Had a nice little school. All seemed well pleased with the change of teachers. Got any amount of kisses. Several that had gone to school to me before. Came home. Helped work a little. Got a letter from Mr. C. Went home with Becky and had a pleasant time. Peter read a funny little story.

Wednesday, December 15, 1861
Mollie and I got up not very early. Made the sleeves of my dress. Mol and I talked about going visiting till Mary came and we went home with her and stayed till after ten. Read some good peaces. Mol came home with me. We had lots of fun laughing over some of our old compositions and laughed about our men and everything else. Talked about marrying when and where. Fine weather. Like spring.

Thursday, December 19, 1861
Did not get up eeary. Cora ramped with us. Cotu out Nans dress. Mollie made the skirt. I made the waist. Nan worked on the sleeves. Laughed at most anything. Nan gave us some wine. Jim brought me home. Wrote to Mr. C. Read the resolutions of the friends of John H. in Adrian.

Friday, December 20, 1861
Helped do the work. Got ready and went to hear the exercises of Miss Yanfords school. P.M., went to the close of Mrs. Williams school. Very good. Came home. Fox came to get me to take thier school. Did nto decide. Wanted Rob to have it. Went to spend the eve at R. Chamberlains. Pleasant time. Rob said they wanted me.

Saturday, December 21, 1861
Got up early. Baked some cakes. Cut out Martha's dress and we made it over. Did not feel very funny. Thought I was getting more an hand than I wanted. Rob and Dunn had lots to say about the girls. Went down to the office and got a long letter from Marge G. Rather spicy. Felt lonely and as though I wanted to see someone. Studied S.S. lession.

Sunday, December 22, 1861
Got early up. Went to S. School. Had a nice time. Some of my schollars went into another class. Came home with Jim. Went up to see Father. Jim, Nan and I had a great time talking about matters that has past and present and hoping for the future. Wrote to Mollie G. Raining some on the good roads.

Monday, December 23, 1861
Crushaid (crocheted) some. Went and to taught for Jim. After school went home with Libbie S. Bob came for me in a big sled. Mc. was going to have their roast and wanted me to come home. Got home. Wrote a letter to M. & E. Wiltse. Wrote a note to David. Had a great time studying our S. S. lesson. Dunn and Rob discussed.

Tuesday, December 24, 1861
Worked some. Dunn and I had a regualr time training. Got ready to go to dinner at Bro. Mc. Had a very nice time indeed. Dunn made a good prayer before he elft. Miss Rust and I went to the office. Got a letter from C. Rob called for me to take a ride. We went up to Mr. Bogarts and spent the eve. Ate bread and milk.

Wednesday, December 25, 1861
Did not get up very early. Did not feel very funny. Crushaid brade most of the day. Han here all day. Wrote to Mr. C. and Rob and her tormented me so that I could hardly write at all. I got a letter from Maggie S. All went to Jims to spend the eve. Had a very pleasant time. That at mark and the candle served for that. Jim and Albert quite funny etc. Very little snow.

Thursday, December 26, 1861
Rather warm. Got up quite early. Did not feel very good. Got ready and went up to Mr. Bogarts. Talked. Riped up Nans black silk to fix. got it partly done. Talked about the ________ of war with old England. Felt fearful of the casequence (consequence). Fox came to see me about taking their shool. I told them I would take it.

Friday, December 27, 1861
Celia and I did not get up very early. Chatted some with Will Brunily. Finished Nans dress. Read General McClellans vision. Went over to visit Wills school. Eve. Went back to church. Mc. did not come. Had a great time singing. Some of the folks came in and spent the eve.

Saturday, December 28, 1861
Sewed some. Nan and I walked to town. Had a long talk about Charlie and Rob. Went down street. Everything high. Felt quite down but did not let on. P. G. _______ some about matters and things. Jim came in and talked a short time. Martha and I went over to Bro. Mc. and stayed a short time. He had many discouragements.

Sunday, December 29, 1861
Went to S.S. Had a very good one. Frankie came back in my class. Said she did not want to leave it. Hear Mc. preach. Came home. Read some. Looked through the Bible to find a text. Wrote a long letter to Mary McC. Felt lonely. Went over to see Han. She met me and we took a walk. Went to prayer meeting. Good many there. Came home. Rob here. Guess was a little vexed at me for taking Han to church. Both felt bad.

Monday, December 30, 1861
Helped to get breakfast. Commenced to wash. Martha boss. Wanted me to bake. So baked snaps, pies and jel cake. Cut out and fixed tow shirts basams for Albert. Cut out and hemmed two collars for Martha. Went down street. Got some stamps, some paper and envelopes. Finished my shemise. Pleasant eve.

Tuesday, December 31, 1861
Very fine day. Martha and Albert went up to Mr. Bogarts and left Viola and I to do the work. Did it and churned. Thought the butter would never come. Sewed buttons on Martha's and my dress. Darned me gloves. Went up to the academy and had a very nice time talking to the girls generally. Saw Mr. C. coming and I thought it about time for me to be here. Jim and Nan came up. We had an invitation to attend a surprise party but declined the invite. Han was here and we had a great time watching the old year out and new in. Shot off the old sisch gun. The boys treated to the candy. We had a great time generally.

Miscellaneous Entries and Recipes

Queen Cakes
Half a pound of butter beat to a cream. Then add four eggs, half a pound of powdered sugar. Beat altogether half an hour. Half a pound of flour and a quarter of a pound of currants.

Ginger Snaps
One pound of flour, four ounces of butter, the butter must be rubbed in. Half a pound of sugar. Half a pound of molasses. One ounce of ground ginger.

Corporation Cake
1 pound of butter beat to a cream. 1 pound of powdered sugar. 2 eggs. Beat altogether a quarter of an hour. Then add 1 pound and 2 ounces of flour. Three quarters of a pound of currants to be put on tins with a three tined fork.

Sponge Cake.
Take 1 pound of loaf sugar, half a gill of water, put them in a pan over the fire and remain until hot. Then pour it over 7 eggs with the whites of 2 out. Beat them one hour. Then add three quarters of a pound of flour with a little essense of lemon.

Kindness of Rev. C. W. Dunn

MMS 1454 - Annie Stuart Diary Guide
Manuscripts by Subject | Women's Studies Collections, Part 2