Jan and John Maggs Antiques
A nineteenth century diary
March 1873
Saturday 1. My sister Celia is 18 years old today. One year ago she was not married. I worked till half past three come out washed and dresses myself and started for Westfield to visit Millie Stowe at half past five. I received a letter from Mother this noon.
Sunday 2. I am in Westfield at Mrs. Sexton’s. She has a son and daughter. Millie is boarding her at her Aunts. I am enjoying my visit here very much. Millie and Mary met me at the depot. I think they are nice people. I have to think of my George often. I’ve worn my ring a year today.
Monday 3. I am up about six. We have breakfast. I get ready to start. Millie goes part way to the depot with me. I bought some shoe lacing’s there. Nettie come today and Millie Van. She went right home on the half past eleven train. I work this afternoon. Write a letter to Mother this eve. Receive a letter from George.
Tuesday 4. It is a pleasant cold day. This eve I went up street with Nettie and selected the cloth for her sheets, both bleached and unbleached. We called upon Mrs. Chapin. Geo. Chapin has a son three weeks old today. No letter from Mother. My thoughts are far away.
Wednesday 5. One year ago today George came to visit me for the first time. I had seen him several times before. It is a cold pleasant day but not as cold as it was a year ago. I have measured off six pair of sheets for Nettie this eve and written a letter to George. I have got a headache.
View of the Connecticut River looking north from the Mt. Holyoke Range. Easthampton is to the left, Greenfield far to the north.
Thursday 6. It is a pleasant day but a very cold morning. I sent a letter to George by Ed Tilliston. Orpha Gorum went over to the depot with me. she keeps company with him. I received a letter from Mother. Sewed some this eve.
Friday 7. It seems like spring today. Mr. Smith is sick. I receive a letter from my own George and write to him this eve. I have written in Mary Murphy’s album this eve. Mr. Bly handed me the letter Mother sent him. I got me some lemons for my cold.
Saturday 8. I am so glad it is Saturday for I am so tired. Yet I get very tired cleaning up at night. Nettie went to the P. Office no letter for either of us. We sew some this eve and talk a great deal “of how much we enjoy being together” for sometime we may never see each other, for even an evening.
Sunday 9. It is a beautiful morning. I did the work and dusted all over the room. Nettie attended church this morn. Last night I dreamed my Mother was dead, and what a sad thought. I wrote a long letter to Mother. I am sad tonight.
Monday 10. It is a pleasant day and town meeting day is here. This eve I went to the P.O. received a letter from George and O! I am so glad to hear from him but one sentence in his letter makes me feel so sad. But God will arrange it all for the best. I called upon Ella Frary this eve.
Tuesday 11. Two years ago today at six o’clock P.M. my cousin Rosie L. Barrett Died -- It has been a very rainy day. I received a letter from Mother this eve and I write one to George dear one. I miss Rosie but I hope she is in Heaven.
Wednesday 12. I have decided to do my washing but at last it is done. I sent my letter to George by Moses. I wish I could see my own darling George tonight for I love him. I am going home in a short time and I may see him.
Samuel Williston, founder of Williston-Knight Button Company
Thursday 13. It is a lovely day it seems so much like spring. Mrs. Moore jawed Annie, Lizzie and me and some others this noon (on account of going to Mrs. C’s) but her talk was of the boiler. Nettie and I went to see Mrs. Chapin this eve. I was mad this noon.
Friday 14. I did not receive a letter from my darling George. Mr. and Mrs. Moore went away yesterday. There has been a great deal said about the boiler. I have had a sick head ache. It has been a beautiful day. My thoughts are of my loved one.
Saturday 15. I received a good letter from George and one from mother. She wants me to go home next week and I must. I have done my usual cleaning. Went to see Mrs. Hubbard about making a hair braid for me. She said it would cost a dollar. I am dreadful tired.
Sunday 16. The wind blows terribly today. Nettie and I attended Church this morning. I have written to Mother and to George, it is a miserable letter I have written him. But I am so tired. I wish I could be rested. I trust all with God.
Monday 17. It is quite a pleasant day. The wind blows some. The girls leave here today about twelve to go to Mrs. C--. I sent a letter to George and one to Mother today. I receive a splendid letter from my George this noon. I sew all this eve. Nettie took tea at Mrs. Knapp’s.
Tuesday 18. It is a cloudy day. I receive a letter from Mother. Ida Wells has a son a week old last Sunday. I go to see Mrs. Chapin this eve. Did not receive a decided answer in regard to board so call upon Mrs. Gilbert. I dislike to leave my room. I am so tired.
Wednesday 19. It is pay day. I do not receive much. Nettie and I have been up street this evening and bought us a light brown dress just alike. We bought it of Mr. Rust cost 50 cts per yard. I had 20 yards and Nettie 19. We went to Mrs. Gilbert’s. Had ice cream for tea.
Thursday 20. I have got a severe head ache. I did not receive a letter from Mother as I expected. Mrs. Moore spoke very pleasantly to me tonight. I cleaned my lamp this eve, been up street and looked over my things to take home. It storms.
Friday 21. It is some stormy. I work till night clean up and come out. Write to George. Mrs. Moore brought Ella, Jennie, and me our books. It is a private book. Nett and I go up street, get my hair braid. Go to Mrs. G’s look at our room. N. told Mrs. M. we are going and we are busy packing.Saturday 22. I arrived home safe. Father met me at the depot but had been about 40 miles, so Mother and Celia met me. Had Henry Purple’s team. I saw Charley B. I received a letter from George. O! I am so tired tonight. Nettie and I moved this morning.
Source: History of the Connecticut Valley, Massachusetts, 1879.
Sunday 23. It is a gloomy dull day. I write to George this eve. I am so lonesome without him. I cannot help crying. I spoke of it in George’s letter but ought not to, for he will feel badly. I am dreadful tired. I had to work hard yesterday. Mrs. Moore was very pleasant to me and apologized for talking to me as she did.
Monday 24. I sent for my trunk by Mr. Hale cost 25 cts and sent a letter to my George. I received a letter from George. Joe went to the office. We do not wash but go to the other house, feed the cow, call upon Mrs. Purple. Father works. I would love to see my own George.
Tuesday 25. We are up and commence our washing in good season. Had a large wash. Dr. Fisk came to see Aunt Caroline today. I’ve been to town. Father at work. I saw Morris last Saturday. I received a letter from Millie yesterday.
Wednesday 26. It is stormy weather yet. Our clothes not hung out. I iron and sew some. I receive a letter from George and write one to him tonight. Horace is here awhile this eve. I expect George home Saturday night. I am tired ‘tis eleven.
Thursday 27. I receive al letter today from Nettie. I went to the post office.
Friday 28. It is a pleasant day. We go down to Henry Purple’s. cleaned up stairs all only the clothes press. Sit up one bed stead. Am tired tonight. Celia is not well any of the time as she is in a family way.
Saturday 29. It is a cloudy morn and about ten it commenced to rain and rained all day. I hardly expected My darling George to come tonight, but he did and I am so glad he is here. We retired at a quarter of three o’clock. O! how I love my darling.
Sunday 30. It is somewhat pleasant weather, and my “own Darling George is with me. He said to me today, “I suppose this is the last day I shall ever spend in this house.” I write a short letter to Nettie. George and I talked over our affairs and retire at five minutes of twelve. My George is at home with me and this eve we talk about our future home or rather the one we are anticipating. We intend to live in Brattleboro and I wish to be married the 9th of next September at half past seven o'clock in the evening and also be married at home. And my own dear George is willing to do as I wish about it. He said it did not seem as though he could wait until next Sept, but we decided some time ago to be married in that month. May the Lord be with me, guide and direct me aright, and bless my darling George.
Monday 31. It is a stormy morning and a pleasant afternoon. Father carried George to Greenfield. How I hated to have my George go. Mother and I move, fill the chambers, and we wash this afternoon. Eddie and I have come down to our old home to stay tonight.
To be continued in next month's newsletter.
A Nineteenth Century Diary
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