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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

July 1862

Tuesday, July 1, 1862
Ironed some. Cut out my Za___ and sewed some. Went to the store to get some ribbon. Went into Mr. Haymakers. Read some. Howed (Hoed) some in the garden. Eve. Wrote to Rob. 10, went to bed.

Wednesday, July 2, 1862
Got up about 5. Finished ironing. Mrs. Lawhead in. Sewed. Made little Henry Lawhead a cap. Rather pretty. Went in there to tea. Report that our men had possession of Richmond. Mrs. Young and Mollie in in the eve. Wished for Clara. Got a letter from Hannah.

Thursday, July 3, 1862
Finished my Ganave and did some chores after noon. Mrs. Slaymaker and I went to old Mr. S. to pick currants. Got enough to make 6 quarts. Picked and canned them. Mrs. S. helped me some. Cline came. Glad to see him.

Friday, July 4, 1862
Got up not very early. Decided to go to Tiffin. Took the cars at 9. Got to Tiffin. Big crowd. Saw a good many friends. Heard Gibson speak. Good. Took dinner at the City house. Cline very attentive and kind. Had a great time getting on the cars to come home. So badly crowded. C. got 14 cans. Very warm. Not dry.

Saturday, July 5, 1862
Did not get up very early. Baked two loaves of bread and 2 pies and two ginger cakes. Went in to see Mrs. Lawhead. Got dinner. C. got a pail of cherries. Mollie helped me to ____ them and I canned 6 quarts. Mrs. L. sick. Was in and out. Fed Henry his supper. Read. Washed. Went to bed.

Sunday, July 6, 1862
Got breakfast. Did the work. Went in to see Mrs. Lawhead. Very warm indeed. We read the account of the terrible battle at Richmond and great loss of life. Felt sad to read of so many noble men being killed.

Monday, July 7, 1862
Got up at 4. Mr. C. started to work. I washed. Got done at 8. Moped (mopped) the house up and down stairs. Went in to see Mrs. L and got her something to eat. Went in to see Mrs. Fredericks. Went to Mrs. Haymakers to get currants. Felt very tired and most sick. Stayed alone. Went to bed early. Read the daily.

Tuesday, July 8, 1862
Did not get up early. Dreamed of the boys and felt bad. Piked my currents off the stem and pit them to dry. Baked a cherry pie. Took Mrs. L. a piece. Went in to see Mrs. Frederic. Got two letters from Rob. He was in fine spirits. Wrote a long one to him. Felt lonely. Stayed alone.

Wednesday, July 9, 1862
Ironed. Went in to see Mrs. L. Mollie came in after me to come home. Maggie Sheely was here a short time. Took dinner with Mrs. Young. Went in to see Mrs. lawhead. read the daily. peter asked if they could have some cherries to eat. Said they could. Rained hard. My dear husband came home through the rain. Was very glad to see him. He just as glad to see me.

Thursday, July 10, 1862
Did not work much. Fixed some collars for C. Picked a few cherries. Went in to see Mrs. T. Sent for the daily. Read it and felt very sad. News discouraging. The day seems very smoky and gloomy. Wrote to Sister Nan bogart. Becky and I went to prayer meeting. Only 8 present. Becky stayed all night with me. I was so lonely.

Friday, July 11, 1862
Picked near two gal cherries and pitted them to dry. Went over to Mrs. L. Got the paper and a letter from Rob. Went in to see Mr. F. Read the daily through. Felt very sad and anxious. Talk of drafting. Mrs. G. Cline in to read a letter from her husband. _____ rising. Commenced a letter to Han. Mrs. Lawhead in. Mollie Young stayed all night with me.

Saturday, July 12, 1862
Did not get up early. Mollie stayed for breakfst. Baked one loaf of bread and one pie. Cherries dry enough to put away. Read. Laid on the bed while. Wrote some. Commenced a letter to Rob. Read the Bible. Commenced a letter to Han. Mrs. L. came in. Cline came home. Glad to see him.

Sunday, July 13, 1862
Sabbath. ot up at 5 oclock. Hot ready and went to Alberts. Got thee about ___ past 10. All gone to church. We went too. Heard McKean preach. Saw a good many of my friends. Jim and Nan there. All went back to Alberts and had a pleasant time. Started home about 5. Got home just before a hard shower. Rained all night.

Monday, July 14, 1862
Very rainy. So much so that Mr. Cline did not go to work till near noon and did not do much till he had gone, then I washed and late in the afternoon picked cherries. Eve. Miss Young came and helped me pit till 10 oclock, then stayed all night.

Tuesday, July 15, 1862
Canned 6 quarts in the morn, then pitted 12 quarts and canned them, in all 18 quarts. Felt tired. Mrs. Arndt in. Had a letter from Rob.

Wednesday, July 16, 1862
Very rainy and wet. Finished Robs and Hans letter. Any amount of cherries an ____ to attend to. Good many picking on the cherries. Pitted all day to dry. Mollie came. Mrs. L and I talked a good deal. Cline came home. Danny here. Did not have time. Read the daily news.

Thursday, July 17, 1862
Did not get up very early. Ironed and put away my clothes. Rather cold and wet for harvest. Seems like Fall. Seeded 4 plates of cherries. Baked one pike. Read the paper. Felt sad and lonely, not afraid.

Friday, July 18, 1862
Did my work. Felt lonely. Went over to Mrs. Youngs. She and Mollie came over to pick cherries. Afternoon, Mollie and I went down to Mr. Lentyers. Met a good many others there. Had a pleasant little time. Came home. Talked a moment to Mrs. Arndt. heard sad news about the riot at Cincinnati. Made a fire and made rise then went home with Mollie and stayed all night.

Saturday, July 19, 1862
Came home. Baked two loaves of bread and two ginger cakes and 3 cherry pies. Done my cleaning and Lauri S. hair. Read two papers through. Talked to Mollie and Mrs. Lawhead. Cline came home. Glad to see him. Tommy here all night. Rained so he could not go home.

Sunday, July 20, 1862
Sabbath. Got up quite early. Got breakfast. Did my work. Combed my husbands hair. Read. Mr. Nevills young folks came and stayed till eve. Had a pleasant time. George and Add Weikert here a short time. Cline and I spent the pleasantly.

Monday, July 21, 1862
Got up a 4. C. went to work and I to washing. Boys came and picked cherries and I worked at them all the afternoon. Mrs. Weiber and Mrs Han in a while. Canned a bottle of cherries and put some to dry.

Tuesday, July 22, 1862
Got up at 5 and worked with cherries and currants till 4 in the eve. Made 2 glasses of currant and 2 of cherry jelly. Very tired indeed. Commenced a letter to Rob. Rained. Mrs. Slaymaker in. Talked to Mrs. L. about our neighbors quarrel.

Wednesday, July 23, 1862
Got up at half past 4 and finished Robs letter. Ironed. Picked some cherries and talked to Mrs. L. Made cherry pickles and pitted till dark. My dear husband came home and I had a cherry pie baked for him. Spent the eve happily. Thought we never was so happy when we were single.

Thursday, July 24, 1862
C. started early. Would not let me get up so early. I laid till near 6, then got up and worked all day with cherries. Rained a shower. Read some in the eve. Got a letter from Rob. Got dinner for Mollie and I. Mrs. L. in and I went in thee a little while after I got through with browned a loaf of rye for coffie besides all the rest and had a great time getting it done.

Friday, July 25, 1862
Got up early. Picked some cherries to make (?) pies. Made them. Seeded cherries for the rest of the day that I had time. Great many picked on the shares. Miss Newells came and picked near bushel. Here for supper. Sent for Mollie to help me. Her mother came over for supper and helped me. Was very kind. Eve. We made a gallon of fine cherry. Mrs. L. came in to see how we got along. Mollie and I went to bed tired.

Saturday, July 26, 1862
Got up at 5. Found lots to do. Finished pitting cherries. Mollie took part of them home with her. I had to many. Baked two loaves of bread and 3 cherry pies. Scoured and cleaned up. Got through about 3. Dressed and went to the office. Went in to Mrs. L. Came home. Laid on the bed and read. Felt very tired. Was glad I had got through with cherries. Mrs. Finn and Mrs. Anderson called. Lib ____ here to bring me Ganave home. Taloma and Mollie spent the eve here. Cline came home. Was very glad to see him.

Sunday, July 27, 1862
Sabbath. Did not get up very early. Got breakfast. Went to church at 10 oclock. Heard Bro. Good. Came home. Read. Got dinner. Went to church at 3. Heard the young preacher. Went home with Mrs. Young and stayed only a short time. Came home. Laid on the bed. Read and talked of the war. Was afraid Cline would have to go. Happy when together.

Monday, July 28, 1862
Cline started early. I did not get till after 5. Washed and cleaned up. Got done before noon. Talked to Mrs. lawhead. Wrote a letter to Martha. Read in the daily.

Tuesday, July 29, 1862
Ironed. Went up to the office. In to Mrs. Slaymakers. Home. Wrote to Rob. Hudson came. Talked to him. Paid him $10.00. Went in to Mrs. L. Mrs. Arndt came in. Talked. Got the paper and two letters. One from Nan B. and the other from Martha. Heard from Charlie. Went over to Mrs. Hane (?). Had a chat. Came back. Went in to see how Henry was. Felt uneasy and did not know why. Miss Adams here.

Wednesday, July 30, 1862
Did not get up till after 6. Went in to Mrs. ____. Wrote a business letter for Mr. C to Tiffin. Went down to Mr. ____ and spent the afternoon. Had a pleasant visit. Met Mr. and Mrs. Rutter there. Came home. Talked to Mrs. Good. Cline came home. Glad to see him.

Thursday, July 31, 1862
Went up town. Mailed a letter. Came back. Went in to Mrs. Slaymakers. Chatted awhile. Went in to Mrs. Lawheads. Mrs. Arndt came and we had a long talk. Came home. Tried to work. Mrs. Young came over to have me go over and spend the afternoon with her. Went. Got a letter from Mary. Read news.

August 1862

Friday, August 1, 1862
Did some chores. Sat down to embroider. Mrs. Good came to get some cherries. Went out and picked some then sat down under the trees and had a long talk about matters. P.M. Went out and talked to Mrs. Lawhead. She picked cherries. News that they were going to draft made us sad. Mrs. L. came in and laughed at me. Cline came home. Felt bad. Talked about war, war.

Saturday, August 2, 1862
Did not get up early. Baked 3 pies and picked the cherries to do it. Made some new pickes. Baked one loaf of bread and a lot of crackers. Got dinner and finished the work. Dressed and talked to Cline. Got supper. Two of Newells boys here for super. Cline read the news.

Sunday, August 3, 1862
Beautiful morn. We stayed at home. Talked of war.
Sabbath. Did not get up early. Stayed at home all day. Wrote most of the time. I wrote to Rob and Jim and some to C's cousin. Went in to Mr. Arndts in the eve. Spent the time pleasantly in the society of ech other.

Monday, August 4, 1862
Got up very early. Mr. C at home for breakfast. Went over to Mr. Nowals for to work but when he got there they were a excitement about the war and Cline came home decided to go. I with a sad heart did my washing and cleaning. It seemed as though I could not live to have my darling husband go and yet I wanted to hide my feelings. Talked to the neighbors.

Tuesday, August 5, 1862
Got breakfast. mr. Cline got each to go to Fostoria. I ironed. Read the news. Talked and went in to Mrs. Johnsons and helped them quit awhile. Her brother David Cline made me spunky talking about my husband. Went down to see Mrs. Slaymaker. Went in to Mrs. Arndts. Miss Butler and I took a walk. Saw some of the bad boys. Stayed all night with Mrs. Arndt. Had quite a lively time.

Wednesday, August 6, 1862
Morn. After breakfast came home and found Mr. Cline at home. Got his breakfast. Did the wash. Picked some cherries and made a pie for dinner. After dinner wrote a letter to brother Jim in reply to his that we got in the morn. Went to Mr. Johnsons to mark out their quilt. Came home. Mrs. Lawhead and I milked Mrs. Arndt cow. Our men came home and we came in. Miss Butler came in and chatted while Mr. C and I sat in the front yard and talked and fel rather sad. Went to bed and cried.

Thursday, August 7, 1862
Got up. Got breakfast. Did some cleaning. Baked two loaves of bread and a pie. Mrs. Weiber here for dinner. After dinner Mr. C and I went to Fostoria. He wanted to meet the war committee there. Stopped at Dr. Hudsons. Spent the eve there and listened to the speeches. Started home about 11 oclock and had a pleasant ride. Such pretty moonlight. Talked about war and what we would do and how lonely we would be when we could no longer be together. Got home about 2 oclock. Got two letters. One from Rob and the other from Martha.

Friday, August 8, 1862
Got up early. Mr. C went to Tiffin. I did some wahsing and cleaned the bedrooms. Felt tired. Mrs. Lawhead came in and brought me some roasting ears, corn and I gave her a dish full of cherry pickles. Mrs. Cline spent the afternoon with me. Ironed. Got supper. Mr. Cline came home. Had success in getting his office. Went to hear the speeches delivered in front of Mr. Arndts store.

Saturday, August 9, 1862
Got ready and went to Tiffin. Stayed about two hours. Got stuff to make Mr. C a needle book. Went out to Alberts. Ate supper and went to the war ____ meeting. Heard 3 speeches spoke on uncles porch. Saw a good many of my friends but felt very sad to think they all had to go to war. Bro. McKean complimented Mr. C and I very highly in his speech.

Sunday, August 10, 1862
Sabbath. Got up. Ate breakfast and all went to Thomases and called a moment then went to town. E and I went to see Captain Robinson. Had a chat then called a moment to see Han. Went to Mr. Bogarts and stayed there till after dinner and had a great time talking about war. Bogart, Nan and us went down to Jims and there had a serious time talking and crying about our dear men going to war and some of them did not want to go either. Stayed all night with Jim. Albert, Bogarts and folks went home.

Monday, August 11, 1862
Started home. Stopped in Tiffin and got some shirts for Rob. My husband drew what money was coming to me from Albert. He went back on the afternoon train. Cut out Rob's shirts. Went up street. Felt very bad. Miss Rutter stayed all night with me.

Tuesday, August 12, 1862
Got breakfast. Sewed on the shirts. Went in to Mrs. Lawheads. Talked of the horos of war. Several in. Did not feel like visiting. Went over to Mrs. Youngs to stay all night. Read the news of course.

Wednesday, August 13, 1862
Came home. Fed the horse and pigs. Finished Robs shirts. A good many in. Talked about war. Wrote to Rob. Read the news. Going to draft. Mr. Lawhead came home and said that Mr. C was not coming and I felt so bad I had to cry like any other baby. Cried all the and went to bed and cried myself asleep. Wondered how I could stand it 3 long years.

Thursday, August 14, 1862
Long and lonely was this day to me. Refer to back part [of diary] same date.
Got up very early. Mixed my bread. browned coffee. Washed and cleaned up. Rained some. Felt very lonely. Went into Mrs. Lawheads. Miss butler came to see me. Felt very much disappointed when my dear husband did not come home on the cars. Mrs. L. in. Red the news to her. Mr. Cline about sunset and I was glad, very glad to see him. Mr. Nobles came with him. Went to the war meeting. Heard Swartz and Good. Stayed with Cline all the time. Could not bare to be away from him. Talked most of the night.

Friday, August 15, 1862
Mr. Cline went back to Tiffin. I felt very lonely and sad. Went over to Mrs. Youngs. In to see Mrs Han. Felt uneasy everywhere and went in to Mrs. Arndts. She kind.

Saturday, August 16, 1862
Did my work. Worked at my husband needle book. In to see Mrs. Lawhead. Dear husband got home about night. Awful glad to see him.

Sunday, August 17, 1862
Sabbath. Pleasant day. Thought we would have the pleasure of spending the day alone, but we were mistaken. We did not spend and half hour alone. There was only 26 different persons in during the day and till 10 at night. We spend the time that we are alone so happily, but how we regretted the parting hour which seemed fast approaching. We spent part of the night talking and hoping for the future as dark as it seemed.

Monday, August 18, 1862
Got up early. Went to Tiffin with Cr. Cline. Very dusty. A good many there. The companies all full and ready to go to camp. Mr. Cline very busy with his men and other affairs. Ate dinner at the Davis house. Saw many that I knew. Eve. Went out to Alberts and stayed all night.

Tuesday, August 19, 1862
Came to Tiffin. C had some business. I went to several places and was content. Nowhere after dinner. A good while came home. Got supper and had 36 callers. Some seemed to feel bad because we was going away.

Wednesday, August 20, 1862
Got up early. Got breakfast. Wrote a letter for Mr. C. Washed and ironed. A good many in to see us. Jim came to take a load for us. Felt rather sad to think our happy little home was so soon to end. A good many there in the eve. Stayed late. Some came to volunteer with Mr. Cline.

Thursday, August 21, 1862
He was chaplain of the 32th Ohio Regiment. There was a very large crowd present. We did not get home till 11 o'clock. Very tired.

Thursday, August 21, 1862 [entry from back of diary]
Grandma Young came before breakfast and helped me so much till I got packed up. There was so many in that it confused us so much. They seemed sorry that we had to leave. We were sorry too, but duty seemed to call my darling to defend his country and he is going nobly forth to serve her. We called ______ hour in Tiffin. Got caught in a shower. Got to Thomases about 6. Felt rather sad. had been so short a time since we moved.

Friday, August 22, 1862
Arranged my husbands trunk. He started back to Adrian and I came with him to Alberts. Finished my dear's needlebook and it was handsome. Wrote to Rob. Dunn came. Did not feel like talking to him. Felt sad all day.

Saturday, August 23, 1862
We went to Tiffin. Stopped at the city house. Mr Cline came. Talked to him. He brought me a letter from Maze Grubb. Heard some speeches. Did not get time to have our pictures taken. Mr. Cline had to go to Fostoria and had so much to see to. I had to come home without him. He came after dark and I was glad to see the dear man. Talked and regretted the hour of parting.

Sunday, August 24, 1862
Got up early. Albert and ____ took us to Tiffin. Mr. C. had some business to attend to. I stayed at the city house till afternoon then we went to the fairground and heard Mr. Collier deliver one of the best speeches I ever heard.

Monday, August 25, 1862
All went to Tiffin to see our dear friends start to do the service of their country. A great many in town. Had quite a time getting dinner. Taverns all full. We ate at Blacks _____. All went to the cars to see the dear ones start. Some of them felt very bad. It indeed did seem hard to part with those so dear. Mr. C got me a new dress. I got him two flannel shirts and felt sad to think he was gone perhaps forever. Got my dress cut out.

Tuesday, August 26, 1862
Got up feeling lonely and sad. Made the shirt of my dress. Cut out my darling husbands shirts and nearly made one. Lib Lander spent most of the day here. Clara Park came to. Called for the Aid Society. I talked to 76. Ate while she eat in the buggy. She very pleasant. Helped Martha put out her clothes. She helped me to sew some.

Wednesday, August 27, 1862
Got up very early. Sewed some. Went with Mr. Ellis to Tiffin. Went to the store. Got drilling to make a skirt to wear to camp. Went to the office. Thought I would get a letter from camp but not a word came. Came back to Miss J. Edsells. Got my dress. Put on the waist and came home. Finished my dress. Cut out my skirt and Martha most made it. Wrote a note to Mr. C. Felt very anxious to hear from him.

Thursday, August 28, 1862
Finished my dear's shirts. Finished one skirt and did other chores to get ready to go to see my husband. Heard from him in the eve. Felt bad to think we so soon had to part. Sewed some for Martha.

Friday, August 29, 1862
Got up early. Sewed on Violas bonnet. Martha tried to tease me for feeling so anxious about my dear husband but it could not be helped. I felt anxious to hear from him. Got a letter about dark. Seeing an account of his good health I felt some better.

Saturday, August 30, 1862
Got up early. Got ready and went to Tiffin to meet my dear husband but how disappointed I felt when I got there and he did not come. Went in to Dubgises (?) and wrote a note to him. Came home feeling very lonely.

Sunday, August 31, 1862
We got up at 2 oclock. Started to come to camp after 5. Got here about 8 oclock. Found all the boys well and was most dreadful glad to see my darling husband. Found a great many here that I knew but did not have much pleasure for we were so busy doing the writing that had to be done. I helped them all the afternoon. Eve. Our folks went home. I stayed. It was so dusty all day that it was not al all pleasant, but night it rained so that we was not troubled with the dust. Had quite a time to keep our straw dry. Did not sleep a great deal the first night that I spent in camp. 3 other women stayed in our tent. Did not sleep much.

September 1862

Monday, September 1, 1862
Got up early. Drums beating and roll being called. Went out to drill. Ate breakfast. Of their writing desk. Boys had a great deal to do and had to be very much confined. The company received part of their bounty and had to stand in the rain to do it. Great many visitors there.

Tuesday, September 2, 1862
No Entry.

Wednesday, September 3, 1862
The boys felt some like letting their captain take part of the responsibility off them. Oh! how bad I did feel when they got orders to march at 4.

Thursday, September 4, 1862
Thursday morn. Mrs. Stephens was with me and we cried as much as we pleased. After drill Mr. Ebersoles, Mr. Cline and me went up to town. The boys tried to have their pictures taken but failed. I felt very sorry. We took dinner at the tavern. Came back to camp. Fixed some straps on Ebersoles coat. Mr. Cline and I went out to see who we could see. Went to the Suttlers and had some lemonade. Went back up town with two girls. Came back. Some of the Adrian girls came and we had a great time generally. Not very funny. The boys got the rest of their bounty and felt quite well.

Drums beat very early to call the ment to duty. All hands had to be busy packing up their things to start for the ______ was which was very near home. ______ I left camp with a great many others on the 9 oclock train. Mr. Ebersole took charge of may baggage. Got to Tiffin. A big crowd at the depot. Went to the city house. Took dinner. Felt very sad indeed. Cound not hide my feelings. Good many came in that I knew. Rode over to the depot with Charley Orsan and wife to see the soldiers pass through for they did not stop as was expected. I got to see the one most dear to me but a moment and it seemed like taking life to see him go. It seemed if I could only spend just one hour more with him it would not seem so hard; but he went to fight for his country and I came out to Alberts with a sad and almost broken heart. Felt as though the dearest ties that bound me to eart had gone, but hope said may be they would return. May God protect them and hasten their return. Went to bed sad.

Friday, September 5, 1862
Did not get up early. Felt to bad and almost sick as camp life did not seem to agree with me very well. Cound not work a bit. Read soem and felt very anxious about the dearest friend who has gone. Pared and canned 3 quarts of peaches. Could nto eat much. did nto sleep very much during the night.

Saturday, September 6, 1862
Pleasant morn. Martha came home. Helped do the morning work. Did nto feel a bit like work either. Commenced a letter to Mr. Cline. Felt sad.

Sunday, September 7, 1862
Sabbath. Helped do the work. Read some. Wrote, filled a sheet to my dear. Wrote a letter to Annie Seymore. Rained a nice shower.

Monday, Septebmer 8, 1862
Helped do lots of things. Made 3 gallon of elderberry wine. Got a note from my dear. Finished a letter for him. Dreamed of war.

Tuesday, September 9, 1862
Martha and I did a big wash in the forenoon and in the afternoon we went down to Mr. Sanders. Came home. I went up to Mrs. Shaffers a few moments. Got a long and good letter from my darling, but could nto read it without crying. Wrote one to him. Went to bed and dreamed of war.

Wednesday, September 10, 1862
Helped get breakfast. Darned. Cut off some corn today. Pared some peaches for pies. Ironed some. Heard awful news about the war. Felt almost crazed. Wrote a letter to my darling husband. Went to bed and had trouble.

Thursday, September 11, 1862
Got up feeling sad. Got breakfst. Helped cut some corn today. Helped pare pears to dry. Talked to Mrs. _______ about the war and the boys. Rained some hard showers.

Friday, September 12, 1862
Helped do the work. Knit for Martha. Talked to the old lady. Felt disappointed at not getting any letter. Wrote one to Mr. C.

Saturday, September 13, 1862
Came over here (Thompsons) with Albert. Stayed till eve. Went over to Jims. Felt sad on the way. Thought of the last time that I was there with dear C. Talked about the war.

Sunday, September 14, 1862
No Entry.

Monday, September 15, 1862
Came back to T. Washed, scrubbed my carpet. Lib helped me then we arranged some of the things upstairs.

Tuesday, September 16, 1862
No Entry.

Wednesday, September 17, 1862
No Entry.

Thursday, September 18, 1862
No Entry.

Friday, September 19, 1862
Sewed all the forenoon. Noon. Went up with Father to get my _____ and trinkets. Got the books but the others was gone. Asked the old woman about them and we had a big spat. Talked as bad as we could. Father heard it all, said not a word. Back to Jim's. Finished husband's letter and sent it. Came home.

Saturday, September 20, 1862
Finished my sack. Helped Lib. Got ready. Nan and I walked to town. Went to the ______society. Made tint. Went to the store. Went to see Han. She very glad to see me. Got no letter. Felt very much disappointed. Wanted to hear from darling so bad. Little Albert sick.

Sunday, September 21, 1862
Helped to do the work. Wrote a long letter to my dear C. Lib and I came to Jims. Wrote to Martha and Nan Bogart. Martha and Albert came just as I was done hers. Went to Kenny's. Ate peaches.

Monday, September 22, 1862
Went to Thomases very early. Washed. Got a letter from my husband that I might to have 4 days before. Was glad to hear from him. Came to Jim's. Wrote another to him. Cried some. Eve. Got another from him. Made me feel very sad to read it. Got a paper too. Had a great talk us 3.

Tuesday, September 23, 1862
Got up early. Helped Nancy while, then went to Mary's. Fixed my sack and dress. Got ready to go to Adrian. Nan came and we started. Warm and dusty. Mailed another letter for darling husband as we went through Tiffin. Got to Lawheads about sundown. Did not but a moment. Went to Adrian, Left Nan. All glad to see me. Girls came in to see me. Mrs. Arndt in. Mrs. Lawhead and I talked till late.

Wednesday, September 24, 1862
Rainy and cold. Went back to J. W. Lawheads. Talked to grandma awhile, then ______ and I started, without a peach or any. Many feeling somewhat bored. Nan got some cans in Tiffin. Came out to Alberts. Decided to go with Martha. Nan went home alone. Wrote to my darling husband. Went to bed late.

Thursday, September 25, 1862
Got up at 4 o'clock. At 5, Martha, Mrs. Ellis and I started on the ______ of peaches. Got to where we got some about 7. Went to Mr. _____ about 10. Got some there. Stayed till after dinner. Had quite a visit. Got home before sundown. Jim came after me and the peaches. Tired when we got to Thomases.

Friday, September 26, 1862
Paired and canned 27 quarts. Lib helped me some to pare the peaches. Wrote a letter to my husband.

Saturday, September 27, 1862
Went to Jim. Got a letter and 10 photographs from my dear husband. How natural and pretty they did look. Gave Father and Jim each one. Helped Nan finish her peaches.

[from the back of the diary, this date]Refer to front part, same date. Nan, Lib and I walked up to the aid society. 20 ladies there. Sewed for the soldiers. Nan Bogart and I went to Mr. Bramby's. Had tea. Talked at Mrs. Smiths. Came home with Nan. Had a pleasant time.

Sunday, September 28, 1862
Sabbath. Did not get up very early. Read some. Talked. Wrote a letter to my pet husband. Nan and Celia wrote some and put in it. Wrote to dear Rob. Sent him Cline's pictures. Mr. Bogart brought me to Thomases. Read some. Wrote some. Lib by my side most of the time.

Monday, September 29, 1862
We washed. Rained some before we got through. Left it to Jim's to be mailed. Lib and I took dinner there. Came to Sophia's. Found her _______. Saw the new baby. Rather tired walking. Lib and I gathered some peaches. Knit some.

Tuesday, September 30, 1862
Lib and I pared and canned 14 quarts of peaches for Sophia. Did not think very much of Theodore. Walked home. Stopped to Kinney's. Pared peaches. Nan and Jim there. Came to Jim's. Got a letter from my dearest. Said I need not write till I got another.

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