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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 - 1862

April 1862

Tuesday, April 1, 1862
Got ready and went with Thomas to Tiffin. Got 15 dollars worth of dishes and goods. Roads quite dry. Came home. Sewed on my dress. Eve. Came to Jim's and called Mr. Troxells. Chatted a while. Came to Jim's. Father brought me a letter from mr. C. Read it. Felt sorry for him. Father came down and would have me read it to him. Said he wanted to hear from his new son. Wrote to him. Dunn and I had a big scuffle. he did not want me to move so soon but I felt as though I ought to go.

Wednesday, April 2, 1862
Finished my letter. Dunn still tormented me so that I could do nothing. Went up to Fathers to get rid of him. Went over to see Sophia. Eat sugar warm. Dunn came there too. Went with Sophia to see Mrs. Harms. Mrs. Lamkin tried to tease me. Theadore brought me to Jim's. had quite a chat about matters. Asked Father for Rob's bed. Would not let me have it. Felt bad. Joe and Edmond came and thought I looked so well.

Thursday, April 3, 1862
Got up and came to Thomas's. Done my washing and helped Mary with hers. Just as we got through Martha and Albert and Mrs. Ellis came. had a chat about our affairs. Sewed on my dress. The old lady said she was glad I had got mar--(married). Martha brought me a crock of sausage. Forgot to leave it. Was surprised to hear that father refused what I asked him. Pleasant day. Talked about Mr. Cline. Lib and I sprinkled our clothes.

Friday, April 4, 1862
Sewed some. Lib and I ironed my clothes. Looked nice. Finished my dress. Packed my box of goods. Libbie and I went over to Jim's. Very pleasant day. Went up to fathers to get my trinkets. He not at home. ____ his wife. Went back to Jim's. Got a letter from Rob. Glad to hear from him. Feared that we would not hear from him long. Nan and I had a big talk.

Saturday, April 5, 1862
After breakfast went to Thomases. Helped Mary some. Fixed her dress. Nan Bogart came. Had some big talk about matters. Read some. Showed Nan my new things. Mr. Cline came and rather think I had a kiss and Mr. Lawhead was with him. Eve. Had some callers. Henry and Will.

Sunday, April 6, 1862
Mary came in our room and tried to tease me a little. After breakfast got ready and L. & M. went with us over to Jim's. Beautiful day. had quite a visit. We went up to fathers a short time. Did not talk much. Felt somewhat sad. Read most of the time that I was there. Mr. and Mrs. Troxell came to spend the eve with me. Father there. Had a talking time. Some jokes cracked.

Monday April 7, 1862
Came to Thomases. Called at Mr. ____. Finished packing. Started about 9. Jim came with us. Stopped in Tiffin to buy some things that we needed to commence our school. Saw Albert. He looked good. Rained and snowed before we got here. Several ready to help unpack. Girls here. had a fire. Washed some dishes. Got supper. Finished washing dishes. Several out and in. Did not feel very funny. Did not seem as though I was going to stay long. Mr. Lawhead stayed with Jim. Snowed like sixty.

Tuesday, April 8, 1862
Got breakfast. Rained all day. Made my straw tick. Mr. C and I ____ filled it. He was here some time. Fooled with C. occasionally. He called me his baby. Did not spite me. Three girls in to see me. Had a pleasant chat. Got supper. Mr. and Mrs Lawhead came in and spent the eve. Like them quite well. Commenced a letter to Rob. Mr. C. teased me. 10 o'clock went to bed.

Wednesday, April 9, 1862
Got up quite early. Got breakfast. Hemmed my quilt. Baked some bread. Darned two pair of socks. Looked over C shirts, found them in a bad state. Foxed one so he could put it on. He came home at noon to see me. Had a good time. Wrote an hour. Got tea. Tammy (?) here. Did the work. A soldier came in. Chatted with him. Finished Robs letter. Wrote one to Martha. Talked about having prayer. Went to bed.

Thursday, April 10, 1862
Fine day. Did the work. Rid up the room and made up my bed. Looked nice. Sewed some. Girls came. Showed them my clothes. Stayed for dinner. Fixed C coat. Hemmed some towels. C came home and then I did no more work. He wanted to pet me so much I could not. We went in and spent the eve with Mr. Lawheads. Had a very pleasant little time. Two other ladies there. Came home. Went to bed.

Friday, April 11, 1862
Got up early. Mr. C went away. Browned coffee, ground it. Hemmed my tablecloths and towels. Read some in the Bible. Thought of the folks in R. Had a great time to keep awake. Chatted with mrs. Lawhead.

Saturday, April 12, 1862
Baked cookies, pies and bread. Got dinner. Tammy and little cousin here. Felt somewhat at home. Cline very kind. Did not want me to get homesick. Made some garden. Planted onions. Mrs. Lawhead stood and looked at us. Thought it quite funny to see C with a woman. Read some. Washed.

Sunday, April 13, 1862
Did not get up very early. Did the work. Read some. Commenced a letter to Mage. Andrew came here for dinner. Chatted. Wrote some to C. Brother and wife in his letter. His _____ came in. Talked about and read an account of the battle at Pittburgs L. No church to go to. had a pleasant eve at home with each other.

Monday, April 14, 1862
Got breakfast. Went to washing. Had a big one. Got all done before noon. P's sister came before I got done and a young lady of Clines friends. Had a pleasant visit. His sister helped me and we each made a shirt in the afternoon. C came home at noon. Made a little garden.

Tuesday, April 15, 1862
Ironed. Was tired. Got done about noon. C came home and brought me a letter from Rob. Was very glad to hear from the dear boy. Sewed. Eve, Miss _____ came. Was glad to see her and had a fast chat. Two other girls came in to call. mr. C and I had a great time killing bugs of (off) the wall.

Wednesday, April 16, 1862
Very pleasant. Got breakfast. Baked some pies. Finished Mages letter. Wrote one to Nancy. Got a letter from Mollie McCanaughy and it was a good long one. Got one from Nancy. Did not do much work. Wrote most of the time. mr. Cline and I had a good time. Enjoyed the beginning of wedded life finely. he is good and kind and felt bad if he thought he said one word to hurt my feelings. Went to the store.

Thursday, April 17, 1862
Rained all day. Mr. C at home. Did not spite me much. Wrote a letter to Han. Sammy here for dinner. Baked some pies (two), Mrs. Warren spent the afternoon with me. had a very pleasant visit. Mrs. Arndt called. Had a pleasant chat with her. Mr. Cline read the war news and I read some too. Spent a pleasant eve together. Cut out a shirt for Mr. C.

Friday, April 18, 1862
Got up quite early. Baked bread. Miss C. came back. Sewed some. Read war news. Rained most all day.

Saturday, April 19, 1862
Did the morning work. Baked two pies. Had three men for dinner besides Mr. C. Did not frighten me much to have them come. Got a letter from sister. Not finished C's shirt. Went in to Mrs. Lawheads. Talked a moment to Giloma. Commenced a letter to Rob. We talked, washed and went to bed.

Sunday, April 20, 1862
Did the work. C and I went to his uncles. Stayed till after dinner. Came home. Went to 3 o'clock church. Came back. We both wrote some to Rob. We were very happy indeed. Went to night meeting. Came home through the rain. Got some of our good clothes wet. Had to wash the mud off the first thing. "Sis" got a cup of tea while I fussed around. The boys left us a lot of boiled eggs. We finished Robs letter.

Monday, April 21, 1862
Did not get up very early. Did the work. Cout out 5 shirts for Mr. C. Sewed some. Fooled most of the time with C. Had Potatoe soup for dinner. Mariah would have us lay down and take a nap. We laid down, but did not sleep much. Rained like sixty all day.

Tuesday, April 22, 1862
Did not get up early. Snowed like sixty all the forenoon then cleared off. Finished Clines shirt. Read some. C came home a little spunky at Sammy. Glad to see him. Spent the eve happily.

Wednesday, April 23, 1862
Got up at 5:00 o'clock. Got breakfast. Did the work. Done a very large wash. Got all done before noon. The eve Mrs. Lawheads in. Wrote a long letter to Nan Bogart. Got supper. Went in to Lawheads. His sister and cousin here all night. Commenced to get milk.

Thursday, April 24, 1862
Mariah started home. Chatted with Mrs. L. Ironed. Cut out a night dress and some window curtains. Sewed. Read some. Commenced a letter to Rob. All alone. Dear C gone.

Friday, April 25, 1862
Got up early. Did not feel very well. Baked pies, cookies and bread. Made my window curtains. Felt a little lonely. Afternoon Mr. C came home. Glad to see him. Got a letter from Rob. 3 ladies in to see me. Read all the eve and Mr. C listened. News interesting.

Saturday, April 26, 1862
Got up early. Went to Tiffin. got dinner at Alberts. Came back to tifin. Got our new stove. I got me a new shaker. Came home in the big waggon of course. Was most sick. Nice day.

Sunday, April 27, 1862
Stayed at home all day. Sick in bed most of the time. Wrote some to Rob. Tried to read. 3 of the neighbors in to see me.

Monday, April 28, 1862
Finished Rob's letter. Sent him some stamps. Trimmed my shaker. Several different ones in. Cline would not let me wash. Went to Mr. Haws to help fix some things to send to the soldiers.

Tuesday, April 29, 1862
After breakfast went to cleaning our dirty house. Worked like sixty all day and did not get near through. Thought we could easy get it done in a day before we began.

Wednesday, April 30, 1862
Cleaned all day. Did not get through till dark. Got a long letter from Han and stopped to read it. Washed too.

May 1862

Thursday, May 1, 1862
Mr. Cline went to work. I ironed some. Put up my new curtains and rid up the trunks. Arranged the letters by the pack. Blacked the stove and my hands too. Read some in the eve. Rained very hard in the afternoon. Browned coffee.

Friday, May 2, 1862
Baked pies and bread. Finished ironing. Grated horseraddish till I was most sick of it. Wrote some.

Saturday, May 3, 1862
Did the morning work. Wrote most of the day. Called on Mrs. Arndt and Mrs. Lawhead. Rained some. Cline came home. Glad to see him. Had a letter from Rob.

Sunday, May 4, 1862
Went to S. School. Had a class. Heard a sermon. Read some. We went to our yentzers (?) a little while. Called at J. Clines. All went to church.

Monday, May 5, 1862
Got up early. Did the work. Finished 3 letters. Mailed 4, one to Sophia, one to Lib L. and the others to Rob. Most made a shirt.

Tuesday, May 6, 1862
Got up before 5. Early breakfast. C went to work. Finished a shirt. Went up street to the store. Got a letter from Dunn. Called at Mrs. Johnsons. Baked and most made another shirt. Talked to C.

Wednesday, May 7, 1862
Finished a shirt and most made another. Did my work.

Thursday, May 8, 1862
Early breakfast. Finished a shirt. Went in to Mrs. Lawheads. Chatted. Mrs. Slaymaker came in to see me. Wanted me to let her little girl come into my class in Sabbath school. Had no objection as a matter of course. Cline and I spent the eve pleasantly as usual.

Friday, May 9, 1862
Mr. Cline at home. Got a letter to ship Hunters goods and was glad of it. Had quite a time getting them downstairs. Cline thought I would get killed. Finished the last shirt. 4th this week. Fooled a good deal of the time with Cline. He a happy man.

Saturday, May 10, 1862
Got breakfast. Made a cake and 5 pies. Cleaned some. Cline plowed the lot and partly planted it and whitewashed upstairs. I helped. Got supper. Did the work, washed and dressed. Mrs. Lawhead and I made some calls. Very pleasant indeed.

Sunday, May 11, 1862
Went to Sabbath S. Heard Swartz preach. Came home. Got dinner for company. Mr. C went to singing and I stayed at home and wrote to Rob. Lib and Miss King came and went with us to prayer meeting. Had a good one.

Monday, May 12, 1862
Got breakfast. Did a two weeks wash. Washed the upstairs windows and cleaned the floor and steps and bedroom and kitchen. Wrote some and laid on the bed awhile. Got up and finished Rob's letter.

Tuesday, May 13, 1862
Got up early and did my large ironing. Was tired when I got through. Knit some on my collar. Commenced a letter to Dunn. Wrote to Martha. had a splendid shower of rain. Cline came home.

Wednesday, May 14, 1862
Cline at home in the forenoon. Did not do much. Got dinner. Went over to Mrs. Lawheads. Finished my collar. Finished Dunns letter. Read some. Went to the concert.

Thursday, May 15, 1862
Got up early. Wrote a letter to Lib. Sent them to the office. Mrs. Lawhead and I went a visiting. I went to Uncle Davids and spent the day. Have often enjoyed myself better. Crushaid (crocheted) braid most of the day. Came home. Made rising. Went up to Mrs. Johnsons after some milk. Becky came home with me. Cline said it was very lonely without me. Guess he does not think I get lonely without him.

Friday, May 16, 1862
Did my work. Baked 2 loaves of bread. Made Dunns mudd book. Felt lonely. Wrote a letter to Han. Mrs. Layenaker and Miss St. John came. Was glad to see them. Finished reading Keeping Up Appearances. Very good.

Saturday, May 17, 1862
Made 4 pies. Cleaned up. Washed and dressed. Read some. Cline at home for supper. Spent the eve pleasantly. Very anxious about Rob. Did not get a letter.

Sunday, May 18, 1862
Went to S. Sch. Came home. Wrote to Rob and wrote to Mr. Clines sister in law. Went to Mr. Therymakers (?) to see Miss St. John and Miss Stuart.

Monday, May 19, 1862
Got up early. Ate breakfast at 5:00 o'clock. Got my washing done before 10. Fixed Mr. Clines sore knee. Cleaned up. Got dinner. Sewed some. Layed on the bed awhile with Cline. He went up town and got the daily. Read war news.

Tuesday, May 20, 1862
Made rising. Ironed. Finished fixing my dress. Got a letter from Dunn. Talked to Cline.

Wednesday, May 21, 1862
Cut out and commenced making baskets. Got a letter Martha and one from Rob. Cline at home with a sore leg.

Thursday, May 22, 1862
Finished my basket and commenced Violas. Cline and me had good times. He cut out the baskets and helped me to fix them and read to me in the daily.

Friday, May 23, 1862
Baked two pies and 3 loaves of bread and finished Violas basket.

Saturday, May 24, 1862
Baked 4 pies and a lot of cookies and browned coffee. Cleaned up and washed Clines head, then Martha and Albert came and we had to chat most of the time after they came. Quite cool.

Sunday, May 25, 1862
Did not go to Sabbath School. Visited till 2 p.m. then they went home and we went to singing. Did not pay. Read till dark. We spent the eve very pleasantly indeed.

Monday, May 26, 1862
Got up early. Had washing done by 9 o'clock. Emma Magers came to see me. Had two letters. One from Sophia and one from Han. Mrs. Arndt came in and chatted a long time. Went in to Mrs. Fredericks.

Tuesday, May 27, 1862
Baked bread. Ironed. Tried to sew till the news came that the seeks were bound to burn Washington and wanted men. Great excitement. Sent a letter to Rob. Talked to Mrs. Lawhead. Got supper and read the daily.

Wednesday, May 28, 1862
Got breakfast. Did the work. Commenced my basked. had a letter from Rob and $15.00 in money. Glad to hear from him. Mrs. Lawhead came in. Read all the eve. Cline's leg sore (?).

Thursday, May 29, 1862
Finished my basket. Proper nice it was. Lib _____ spent the afternoon here. Went up street. Got a letter from Annie Seymore. Wrote to Cline's cousin.

Friday, May 30, 1862
Did not get up very early. Rained like sixty. Rid up upstairs. Sat out cabbage and beet plants. Rained all day. Wrote some to Rob.

Saturday, May 31, 1862
Rained. I did my work. Baked pies. Jim and Nan came. Talked fast. Went to Mr. Lawheads. Took tea and had a pleasant time coming home through the rain. Talked till bed time etc.

June 1862

Sunday, June 1, 1862
Did the work. Nan and I went to Sabbath S. - Jim and Cline took a walk. Came home. Mollie and George (?) came. Mr. Lawhead here. After dinner Jim went home. A lot of the young folks came. We went to singing. Read a long time in the eve.

Monday, June 2, 1862
Got breakfast. Washed. Got dinner. Commenced my skirt. Brought my clothes in just as it commenced to rain and it rained like sixty all night. Got supper. Read the daily. Favorable news good for us. Sent Bob's letter.

Tuesday, June 3, 1862
Ironed. Sewed some. Rained all day. Cline at home. Read.

Wednesday, June 4, 1862
Got breakfast. Did the work. Sewed on my skirt. Read. Cline read for me. Talked and had a good time.

Thursday, June 5, 1862
Sewed on my skirt. Eve. Miss Young came and we went to Mr. Yentzers and Saloma came home with us. Met Myers and he came too. Then we had a big time generally.

Friday, June 6, 1862
Got up early. Baked bread, pies and cookies. Cleaned up. 7 little girls in. Han and Jesse came just as I got my work done. Glad to see them.

Saturday, June 7, 1862
Got up quite early. Baked 4 pies and a sponge cake. Got dinner. Mr. Fry here for dinner. Saloma came and would have us go to the picnic. Went and stayed about ___ hours. Came home and Cline and Han took a ride and Jess & I went to Mrs. Harris and spent the eve. As we came home went in to see how the party was prospering. Had a nice little time. Girls all tried to steal my husband. Did not succeed of course.

Sunday, June 8, 1862
Did not get up very early. Got breakfast. Talked. Had a pleasant time. Miss Young here for dinner. Han and jessie went home. Read some. Miss Young went home. Cline and I went down to his cousins a few moments. Rather cold for June. Ate a piece. Went to bed.

Monday, June 9, 1862
Ate breakfast at 5 o'clock. Got washing and cleaning done by 11 a.m. Went in to Mrs. Lawheads. Finished Nan Bogarts letter. Went to bed awhile. Did not feel very well.

Tuesday, June 10, 1862
Got up early. Commenced ironing. Two Mrs. lawheads came in. Had a great chat. Finished ironing. Wrote to Robert and sent the letters to the office. Miss Yanny here most of the afternoon. Went over to Mr. Fredericks to see Cline work.

Wednesday, June 11, 1862
Fixed some of my underclothes. Mrs. L and Mrs. Grear came in to get my basket. Did not like ____. Went to Mrs. Youngs and spent the afternoon. Eve. Went in to see Mrs. Arndt. Had a pleasant time. Cline got lonely before I got home. Poor fellow.

Thursday, June 12, 1862
did the work. Finished fixing my clothes. Went in to Mrs. Lawheads. Decided to go to Mrs. Johnsons to visit. Went. Did not have much of a time. Called to see Mrs. Weiker. Camehome. Lined my shaker. Got a letter from Mage. Said she heard we were dead. Went over to Mr. Fredericks to see Cline work.

Friday, June 13, 1862
Got up at 4 1/2 o'clock. Got breakfast. Did the work. Finished fixing my green silk. It rained a very hard shower. Before the shower went a peace with Saloma and had a long talk. Read the news. Took a short nap. Made rising. Went to Mrs. Fredericks for milk.

Saturday, June 14, 1862
Did not get up very early. Got breakfast. Baked 2 loaves of bread and 4 pies. Cleaned up. Very warm. Fixed my dress. Combed my dear husbands hair. Helped him a little in the garden. Little girl brought me a boquet. Made some beans. Read, etc.

Sunday, June 15, 1862
Did not go to Sabbath. I wanted to read. Cline and I had some "big argument" as to the cause of the war and at 3 PM went to church. Heard Mr. Swartz . Went over a (?) Mr. Newells. had a very pleasant ride and a pleasant little visit. Seemed very glad to see us. Rather cool coming home.

Monday, June 16, 1862
Got up about 4. Ate breakfast before 5. Mr. C. went to work. I washed. Got all done by 9. Wrote to Rob. Miss Young came in. We went for the mail. Got a letter from Rob. Sewed braid on my skirt. Read the daily. Cline came home. Glad to see him.

Tuesday, June 17, 1862
Cline went to work before breakfast. Did not get up very early. Ironed. Mrs. Lawhead and I went to Mrs. Haymakers to visit. had a hard shower. Visit was nothing extra. Came home. Set out a few plants.

Wednesday, June 18, 1862
Cline at home for breakfast. Rained so that he could not work. Very wet. PM. He went to work but it rained very hard showers. I fixed my old stockings. Have to be economical now. Read the news. Part good and part discouraging.

Thursday, June 19, 1862
Made 3 collars for my husband. Miss Shoup spent the afternoon with me. had quite a pleasant visit. Cline came home at noon. Very spunky at his bride. Eve. Went to hear Mr. Good return thanks to the citizens for their liberal present.

Friday, June 20, 1862
Got up at 4. Mr. Cline planted the cucumbers. I got breakfast and did the work. At 6 started to Tiffin. Got there at 8. Did some trading and running around. I went to Mrs. Sullivans to get a pattern. Went out to Alberts. Got there at 12 and stayed till 6. Went to Thomas and stayed all night. Pleasant time.

Saturday, June 21, 1862
Saturday morn. Very pleasant. Started to Bogarts. Called some time town. Went to see Lill. Got a pattern of her. Saw Nell. Called to see Han. Went to Bogarts. Took dinner and eat strawberries. Had a pleasant time. Left there about 4. Came to town. Called again. Cline went in to see Han and I went in to Bro. McKewn. Got to Jims about 7. Went up to see Father a littel while. Stayed all night with Jim.

Sunday, June 22, 1862
Sabbath morn. It rained. Went up to Fathers a littel while, then went to _______ and stayed till after 5. Started home. Called at the tavern to get our things. Felt somewhat sad. Part of the war. Home. Got here after dark and found all right. Got ready and went to bed.

Monday, June 23,1862
Did not get up early. Did not feel very well. Very rainy indeed. Cut out my circle cape and sewed some on it. Went out and pulled some weeds out of the garden. Mollie and Becky came in.

Tuesday, June 24, 1862
Mr. C. went away very early but I did not get up till late. Did not feel very well. Finished my cloak. Went to the office. Got a letter from Rob. Wrote one to him. Talked to Mrs. Lawhead. Read all the eve. Mollie came about 9 o'clock to stay all night with me. Mr. C gone.

Wednesday, June 25, 1862
Got breakfast. Cut out the lining of my _____. Went over to Miss Youngs for her to tell me how it fit. Got two papers and read some time. Eve. Had plenty of time to think of. Some days the news from our army is encouraging and others it is very discouraging. Our men seem kind to the _____ than to their own men.

Thursday, June 26, 1862
Got up a 5. Sewed most all day. Nearly made a dress for Katie Young. Peter, Mrs. Laymaker and Mr. Lawhead in and chatted quite a while. Miss Young here just before the lecture. Mr. Cline came. Glad to see him. Went to hear Mrs. Bush lecture. Stayed about 10 moments. Did not like here. Not many that did.

Friday, June 27, 1862
Got up some time after Cline. Went to work. Baked bread and finished Katies dress. Mrs. Lawhead, Mrs. Arndt and I had quite a 3 cornered chat about the lady lecturer. Mr. and Mrs. Arndt called for me to go with them to the lecture. She did w4ell and had any amount of brass. Arndt and her had a spat and a good many acted very bad. Came home home. Stayed all alone (home thought how nice if Cline could be).

Saturday, June 28, 1862
(?) Miss Young took dinner with.
Did not get up early. Did my work. Baked two pies. Made my basam. Read some. Commenced a letter to Mage. Rained like sixty. Slept part of the time that it rained. Cline came home. Glad to see him.

Sunday, June 29, 1862
Looked at it rain before we were out of bed and how hard it did rain. Rained all day so that we did not go to charch. Finished Mage's letter. Read in the Bible and history. Eve. 3 girls in a few moments. Cline and I enjoyed ourselves very much along.

Monday, June 30, 1862
Got up about 4. Mr. C went to work and I to washing. I had a large two week wash. Did not get done till near noon. Had an invitation to attend a tea party at Mr. Arndts. Felt very tired. Went to the party. Had a very pleasant time indeed. Eve. Went over to Mrs. Hans to hear music. Good many there. Came home with Mr. Arndts and stayed all alone. Very lonely to come in a dark house. Wished for my dear husband.

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