Josephine Jordan was my great, great, grandmother. She lived the life of a common farm wife in northern Maine. She kept a line a-day diary. I have her complete diaries from 1892 to 1898. You can learn more about Josephine, her diaries, and some historical perspective by going back to the first installment of this series.
Your questions, insights, or comments about this month's diary entries are welcomed.
--Mond, Feb 1
Husband had a good night. Is weak yet. Frank took a load of potatoes away. Brought them out of the cellar alone.
--Tues, Feb 2
Frank took potatoes away. Blanche & Gertie and I went down town. Shortly after we got home, Mr. & Mrs. M. came and spent the evening.
--Wed, Feb 3
Washed today. Mrs Tweedy came. Spent the afternoon.
--Thurs, Feb 4
Neighbor V. sick. F. gone for the doctor.
--Frid, Feb 5
Frank with the rest of his Sunday School Class are invited to the Wright's.
--Sat, Feb 6
Not able to sit up but a few minutes.
--Sund, Feb 7
A little better. Thank the good Lord.
--Mond, Feb 8
Finished a dress for Blanche. Feel very weak.
--Tues, Feb 9
Mr. Crockett came with some apples. We got some.
--Wed, Feb 10
Am real sick. Cannot sit up but a few minutes.
--Thurs, Feb 11
Not well, but the good Lord can help me.
--Frid, Feb 12
Am still sick. God can help me. May I be faithful.
--Sat, Feb 13
A little better. Thank the good Lord.
--Sund, Feb 14
Cold and the roads are drifted. All well.
--Mond, Feb 15
Not so cold. Ploughed out the roads this afternoon.
--Tues, Feb 16
Lovely and fine. Hubby and Laurie went to Presque Isle.
--Wed, Feb 17
Blustering and cold. Dare not go out today.
--Thurs, Feb 18
Roads all full. Snowed all night. But we know who sent it.
--Frid, Feb 19
Lovely and fine. Hubby and I went to Presque Isle.
--Sat, Feb 20
Fine. Went to the village. Roads are very bad.
--Sund, Feb 21
The three eldest went to church. All quite well.
--Mond, Feb 22
Fine and soft. Did not wash. Went to see Mrs A. who is sick. Hope she will recover.
--Tues, Feb 23
Lovely and mild. Went to see some more sick folk.
--Wed, Feb 24
Husband went to Presque Isle. Got some groceries.
--Thurs, Feb 25
Blanche went with her father for a drive. I got dinner.
--Frid, Feb 26
Lovely and fine. All at home.
--Sat, Feb 27
Cold and clear. Washed and baked. All well.
--Sund, Feb 28
Went to church and Sunday School.
--Mond, Feb 29
Husband went to see Melon Lombard.
Your questions, insights, or comments about this month's diary entries are welcomed.
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--Mond, Feb 1
Husband had a good night. Is weak yet. Frank took a load of potatoes away. Brought them out of the cellar alone.
--Tues, Feb 2
Frank took potatoes away. Blanche & Gertie and I went down town. Shortly after we got home, Mr. & Mrs. M. came and spent the evening.
--Wed, Feb 3
Washed today. Mrs Tweedy came. Spent the afternoon.
--Thurs, Feb 4
Neighbor V. sick. F. gone for the doctor.
--Frid, Feb 5
Frank with the rest of his Sunday School Class are invited to the Wright's.
--Sat, Feb 6
Not able to sit up but a few minutes.
--Sund, Feb 7
A little better. Thank the good Lord.
--Mond, Feb 8
Finished a dress for Blanche. Feel very weak.
--Tues, Feb 9
Mr. Crockett came with some apples. We got some.
--Wed, Feb 10
Am real sick. Cannot sit up but a few minutes.
--Thurs, Feb 11
Not well, but the good Lord can help me.
--Frid, Feb 12
Am still sick. God can help me. May I be faithful.
--Sat, Feb 13
A little better. Thank the good Lord.
--Sund, Feb 14
Cold and the roads are drifted. All well.
--Mond, Feb 15
Not so cold. Ploughed out the roads this afternoon.
--Tues, Feb 16
Lovely and fine. Hubby and Laurie went to Presque Isle.
--Wed, Feb 17
Blustering and cold. Dare not go out today.
--Thurs, Feb 18
Roads all full. Snowed all night. But we know who sent it.
--Frid, Feb 19
Lovely and fine. Hubby and I went to Presque Isle.
--Sat, Feb 20
Fine. Went to the village. Roads are very bad.
--Sund, Feb 21
The three eldest went to church. All quite well.
--Mond, Feb 22
Fine and soft. Did not wash. Went to see Mrs A. who is sick. Hope she will recover.
--Tues, Feb 23
Lovely and mild. Went to see some more sick folk.
--Wed, Feb 24
Husband went to Presque Isle. Got some groceries.
--Thurs, Feb 25
Blanche went with her father for a drive. I got dinner.
--Frid, Feb 26
Lovely and fine. All at home.
--Sat, Feb 27
Cold and clear. Washed and baked. All well.
--Sund, Feb 28
Went to church and Sunday School.
--Mond, Feb 29
Husband went to see Melon Lombard.
2 comments:
Thought I would point out the use of the term cellar on Feb 1st. You mentioned in your intro that she might have had an ice box or a spring house. A cellar was generally a hole in the ground beside the house, with steps and a door. They generally had makeshift shelves built into the walls for food storage.
Thanks for sharing. It's an interesting read!
I want to learn more about Josephine and her diaries.
meet and greet at Stansted
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