Maria Antoinette McCrillis was a 24 year old widow with two children from her marriage to James Sullivan Collamore: Eliza, born in 1871, and Edith, born in 1873. James was a carpenter, born in 1838. Maria, nicknamed Nellie, was born in 1851. James registered to vote in California in 1869, though he was listed in the 1870 census as living in Maine. He was listed in the June 1870 census as having been married in May. One gathers he went to California, came back and got married, then took his wife back to California, where they had Eliza (nicknamed Lida) and Edith (nicknamed Eddie or Edie). His parents also went to California with him, and all three died in short order in 1874. After her husband’s death Maria took in a tenant but also worked for Charles Samuel Barney and his wife Emma Fanning Barney, their son was Charles Roy Barney who was born in 1874, so he was two years old when Maria took care of him. She refers to this family as Mr. B, Mrs B, and Roy. Maria’s younger brother Charlie Collamore also boarded with the Barneys. Maria returned to Maine in October, as this diary relates. A year later she remarried on Aug 11, 1877, William P. Sinclair, of Maine.
The diary is generally in bad shape. Maria apparently put a tin type photo in the pages of the diary, which over the years disintegrated and rusted, and destroyed many pages. Other pages were damaged by water. She wrote usually in pencil, which is sometimes impossible to make out. Places where I am uncertain of her wording or meaning are labeled with a question mark [?]. She often spelled words in different ways, and sometimes went shopping; the items she purchased are often very difficult to transcribe.
At the time of this diary San Rafael California was an old Spanish mission town that was north of San Francisco.
Wednesday, Jan. 5
Pleasant—washed in fornoon
Cared for Roy His mother went out
Mrs. B gave me ? Roy. Mr B paid??
Pratt $7.10 get ?? Got up very unwell
?? settlement
Thursday Jan. 6
Pleasant in morning
Clouded at noon
Blowed after noon
Evening got up very unwell
??went to bed soon as get work?
Friday Jan. 7
Rained and blowed all day
All day swept house, cleaned it
Very tired at night Sat with Mr. and Mrs B
Saturday Jan. 8
Rather cloudy, rained Cared for Roy While his mother went up towne
Children has al-night [or al- right]
Not feeling very well my self
Sunday Jan 9
Pleasant.
Stayed at home. Charlie did not go to church in morning Cared for Roy in morning {Charlie is her brother Charles M. A. , 7 years younger, so in 1876 she was 24 and he was 17; [Emma at home in Maine was a sister, ten years younger, so she was 14]
Very unwell all day
Monday Jan. 10
Very pleasant. Went to walk with the children. Roy went
Not feeling very well
Charles stayed at home
In evening get out the children’s pants
Tuesday Jan. 11
Clear and cold
Washed.
Sat with Mrs. B a while in the afternoon
Charles went up towne in evening
Sewed on pants for the girls
Wednesday Jan 12
Pleasant
? baked sewed on girls pants
Thursday Jan. 13
Frosty and Cold.
Sewed on Pants for girls
Had late lunch 1 ½ o’clock
Mr B ?? sick
Got up towne
? evening Mr B B [?]went out
Friday Jan. 14
Very cold swept house in the forenoon went up towne in afternoon
Called ?? Mr B ??
Feel very blue, Charlie stayed ? home in evening
Saturday Jan. 15
Pleasant, Baked, cleaned, sewed some not feeling well
Charlie gave me 2 ?
Sunday Jan 16
Clear Cold
Cared for Roy in morning
And family went for walk with children in afternoon
Called on Mrs Earle {??]
Monday Jan 17
Clear windy
Went up towne went in Charlie’s office
Sat with Mr Mrs B
Felt so blue
Two years tonight since husband died [James Sullivan Collamore died Jan 17, 1874, in San Rafael California]
Wake to sunrise
Tuesday Jan 18
Foggy morning. Sewed on machine … pants
Feel so very miserable all day my back hurts so
Charlie went up towne in evening
Wednesday Jan. 19
Rained. Washed cleaned kitchen. Mr B did not come home for lunch
Thursday Jan 20
Very cold Washed sewed some. Cared for Roy in after-noon
Mrs Barney gave me ??
Paid Mr Duboise 2.00 for milk
Friday Jan. 21
Frosty Swept house. Mr. Barney stayed at home and built fence sold chickens to Mr Dubois he gave me 3.00
Saturday Jan 22
Rained hailed ?? Baked worked around house Mr Barney did not come home at lunch
Sunday Jan 23
Rained blowed all day read very interesting book about alcohol
Monday Jan 24
Rained Maid ruggs ???? Rain in evening
Tuesday Jan 25
Cloudy Sewed our ruggs Mr. B get thread ??
Wednesday Jan 26
Showers all day Cleaned windows and pantry
Thursday Jan 27
Showers in morning
Cared for Roy
Friday Jan 28
Clear cold. Swept house cleaned. Went up towne
Charlie did not come home at lunch Called on Mrs Berry Mrs Shower Mrs ??
Charlie gave me 2.00
Saturday Jan 29
Pleasant Washed worked all day cleaning baking cared for Roy
?? went to city
Got sick head-ache gave her 2.50 gal 12 ?? or cash
Sunday Jan 30
?? Rained a little Mrs B went to church Mr B went up-towne Cared for Roy morning and evening
Not feeling well wrote to mother
Monday Jan 31
Pleasant Got up very unwell been sick most of day so as not to do anything etc of towls [towels?] hemmed ? a few
Tuesday Feb 1
Very pleasant Sewed on towls went to towne to Mrs. Sordans ?? very unwell
Wednesday Feb. 2
Pleasant Washed sewed some. Mr. Barney did not come home at lunch
Mrs B gave me 3.00 for caring for Roy
Thursday Feb 3
Pleasant Cared for Roy after-noon while his mother went out Had severe trial with Lida Mrs Barney gave me 3.00 Mrs Barry (or Berry) called
Friday Feb 4
Pleasant Swept house ?? not feeling well
Saturday Feb 5
Foggy morning Stayed at home Miss Berl called in after noon
Sunday Feb 6
Pleasant Went to walk with Eddie went ?? went Miss Mrs Berry
Monday Feb 7
Rained blowed all day Charlie did not come home at lunch Alone in evening cut my wrapper [She never mentions her children: where are they?]
Tuesday Feb 8
Rained ?? Charlie did not come home at lunch Had sick head-ache went to bed at eight
Wednesday Feb 9
Clear cold windy. Swept parlor worked around house Charlie got me a chyme Paid acct ?? .2.00
Thursday Feb 10
Cloudy showers Cared for Roy Washed Rain and blowed in evening Got Eddie ribbon at ??[store]
Friday Feb 11
Rained terrible storm Cleared in after-noon Swept house Charlie did not go up-towne [Charlie lives at same home as her]
Saturday Feb 12
?? very pleasant
Eddie and I went up towne ..to Mendells not very well my self
Sunday Feb 13
Very pleasant Called on Miss Berl in afternoon went for walk with girls
Cared for Roy in morning Mr. Mrs did not go to church in evening
Monday Feb 14
Pleasant. Went to walk with the three children [her daughters and Roy] Not feeling well. Mrs. Barney gave $4.00
Tuesday Feb 15
Very pleasant Went up towne
Got paper at printing office The three children went Miss Berl called loaned me a book
Wednesday Feb 16
Pleasant Worked Went to walk with the children Feel quite unwell
Thursday Feb 17
Pleasant went to ?? church heard Miss Childers play
Mrs Barney went out get ???? [purchases] received a letter from Father and Mother
Friday Feb 18
Pleasant swept house Stayed at home sewed in after-noon
Saturday Feb 19
Very windy Mrs B cared for children. Went up towne Mr Barney gave me ??[money] get ?? of peddler
Sunday Feb 20
Pleasant Mrs. B went to church. Went to walk with the three children. Cared for Roy in evening.
Monday Feb. 21
Pleasant Washed Feel very unwell Sent to ?? got apron back. Peddler Recd like ?? Wrote to father[?]
Tuesday Feb. 22
Pleasant Baked Went down to Mrs Berry’s Charlie stayed at home and ?? Mrs Dubois called They are going east first of April Wanted me to go Charlie did not say goodbye
Wednesday Feb 23
Cloudy feel unwell Sewed on machine ??? Charlie stayed at home
Thursday Feb. 24
Rained Sewed on ?? dresses. Charlies Collermore Wife was sick had a little Boy [this is James’ brother Charles who died in California in 1899; there is a record of him marrying an Amanda Buker or Baker in California July 1874; they appear to have been separated by the time of the 1880 census]
Friday Feb. 25
Showery Swept house ?? Baking Charlie ??
Charlie C. called. He has got a little boy [his name was George]
Saturday Feb. 26
Cold Cloudy Most sick with cold. Cared for Roy his mother went out Baked Mr. Barney ??
Sunday Feb. 27
Rained. Mr. Mrs. Barney went to church morning and evening my cold is no better
Monday Feb. 28
Pleasant Went up towne Paid ??
Tuesday Feb. 29
Cold Sick not do much in fore noon as is sick Get up very unwell ?? She went over to ?? Mr. B gave me 3.00
Wednesday Mar 1
Very very windy feel miserable. Mrs. B went out Cared for Roy Edith [Eddie nickname or Edie] was sick last night with ear and leg ache ? a very little and the girls dressed Mr Barney get the bill $29.83 he paid Duboise $6.00 it rained hard he get linen ? 7b
Thursday Mar 2
Rain blowed terrible last night and this day Mr Barney did not come home for lunch stayed at home in ?? most sick all day
Friday Mar 3
Rained and blowed swept house washed ? few things Charlie stayed at home in evening
Saturday Mar 4
Clear blowed Cold washed cleaned ? Mrs. Barney went out cared for Roy Mrs Sharer ? McDonald called so very tired at night
Sunday Mar 5
Rained. Mr Mrs B went to church morning and evening cared for Roy
Monday Mar 6
Rained blowed all day fearful in evening Charlie did not go up towne he got ??
Tuesday Mar 7
Rained morning cleared in after noon fine evening sewed got by Charles thrice yards of silk braid at Mendells
Wednesday Mar 8
Showers all day Washed sewed and received a letter from Emmie and Aunt B Grandfather is dead died on the 19th wrote to father [Grandfather was Samuel Elkins, died Feb 19 1876; she would have written to her father Randall McCrillis]
Thursday Mar 9
Very cold and windy Stayed at home Edith [Eddie or Edie] is quite unwell Ironed in fore noon sewed some
Friday Mar 10
Cold windy swept house
Eddie and I went up towne settle with Manglett ? owed him $21.16 Paid him. Mr. B gave me $20 got candy 10 ? 10 Mr Mrs B went to the Centennial Party tea party Cared for Roy
Saturday Mar 11
Baked very cold Cared for Roy his mother went up towne
Sunday Mar 12
Rained and blowed all Stayed at home Read in magazine Wrote to Brother [Charles Collamore brother in law on her husband’s side or Nelson Davis, brother in law husband to sister Ellen]
Monday Mar 13
Pleasant but windy Stayed at home Eddie is very winsome Sewed swept up stairs
Tuesday Mar 14
Pleasant Went up towne Eddie Roy went Lida visited Leanna
Wednesday Mar 15
Cold sprinkled thrice children went up towne sold eggs
[many purchases listed]
Spent the after noon at Miss Berls
Thursday Mar 16
Lida’s Birth-day
Cold Washed so very sick at night feeling very unwell
Lida got a set of dishes for her birth-day present
Friday Mar 17
Pleasant swept house baked cleaned all day so very tired at night Charlie did not come home and very lame in my knee.
Saturday Mar 18
Pleasant and warm Ironed baked cared for Roy Suffered all day with sore knee got belt and ??
Sunday Mar 19
Very warm and pleasant Mrs B went to church Mr Mrs went in evening Care for Roy Children went to look at Mr Grant’s house
Monday Mar 20
Nice and warm Charlie went to city went up towne get candy at Mrs Smith’s 10 [something] 10 Paid Mendels for ?? balance due
Tuesday Mar 21
Some wind but pleasant went to walk with the children went ?? so tired and gloomy all night
Settled estate a gain [or again] Madnour does business
Wednesday Mar 22
Very windy feel so very miserable ?? sewed a very little
Thursday Mar 23
Very pleasant washed Charlie did not come home at lunch so very tired at night Paid ???
Friday Mar 24
Swept house cleaned so tired at night very pleasant Charlie did not come home for lunch
Saturday Mar 25
Windy Baked Cared for Roy His mother went out very tired at night ??
Sunday Mar 26
? Mr B stayed at home Cared for Roy in evening. Called on Miss Berl ?
Monday Mar 27
Pleasant. Went up towne Bought [varied items ribbon, maybe pastries not sure what else]
Tuesday Mar 28
Pleasant Stayed at home Mr B ??
Wednesday Mar 29
Rained. Very unwell Got up Fainted in morning. Feel miserable
went to Popper signed return ?
Thursday Mar 30
Blowed all day very cold not feeling well done nothing very unwell
Friday Mar 31
Pleasant but windy. Swept house washed ?? tired at night
Saturday Apr 1
Pleasant Baked ?? cared for Roy his mother went out
Sunday Apr 2
Pleasant Stayed at home all day Mrs B went to church in morning Cared for Roy in evening
Monday Apr 3
Pleasant Cut Lida some pants. Not feeling well Mr Barney did not come home for lunch.
Tuesday Apr 4
Pleasant Went up-towne Got 25 yards print at Mendells
200 paid solo … drugs
Paid E. Duboise 300 Charlie went to Palermo ?
Wednesday Apr 5
Went up towne Got Eddie ?
Sold something plaid
Bought items, perhaps pepper
Charles got home
Thursday Apr 6
Pleasant … sewed on pleating
Friday Apr 7
Pleasant but windy
Swept house Charlie did not come home at noon
Saturday Apr 8
Cold Eddie is quite unwell fear she is going to have measles
Sent for candy Mrs ? Perl called in afternoon
Sunday Apr 9
Mrs B went to church. Cared for Roy in evening
Monday Apr 10
Windy Went up to Coral house Mr Moore did not come
? was there get a letter from Emmie write to her and mother
Tuesday Apr 11
Pleasant Washed in fore noon went up towne
Got at Pratts one yard muslin thread [also something else]
Eddie is sick with – cold Charlies is going to morrow
Lida went over to see Annie Ward
Wednesday Apr 12
Pleasant Went to court house saw Mr Moore
Charlie went?? In afternoon ..went to church in evening
Eddie has got the measles and think she is very sick ?? went to see her sent by Mrs. B to get ?? peddler
Thursday Apr 13
Pleasant Did not sleep much last night Eddie was sick she is very sick with the measles got ?? gave her she is very sick too much done nothing but care for her. Lida went up to Leannas she is not sick Charlie did not come home
Friday Apr 14
Very pleasant swept house Eddie got better Went up towne in evening. [apparently bought supplies, bread candy oil]
So very tired got letter from home. Charles will be home tomorrow Mrs B ?
Saturday Apr 15
Very pleasant Eddie is some better but terrible worrisome in afternoon ironed baked sewed some Charlie get home in early evening so glad to see him
Sunday Apr 16
Pleasant Eddie less worrisome cared for Roy in evening His papa went up towne in fore noon
Monday Apr 17
Pleasant Eddie was ?? Lida spent the day with Leanna feel so very miserable
Tuesday Apr 18
Pleasant but windy. Went up towne [did her business purchasing; she does this every Tuesday, difficult to make out what she buys/sells]
Wednesday Apr 19
Pleasant Washed made Lida’s blue print dress so she could go to the formal so terrified Mrs Berry called sent up ???
Thursday Apr 20
Pleasant Lida went to ?? Cared for Roy in ??? Went to bed early
Friday Apr 21
Swept house rained all day cleaned windows very tired at night went to bed early
Saturday Apr 22
Pleasant Charlies went to Petaluma [town north of San Rafael] came back at night cleaned swept baked timed very tired at night
Sunday Apr 23
Pleasant Called on Mrs. Berry (or Perry) cared for Roy in evening
Monday Apr 24
Pleasant. Stayed at home swept house stairs sewed a very little
Tuesday Apr 25
Pleasant Get up very early did not sleep ? much Mrs B went to city cared for Roy got up very unwell had a very unwell headache
Wednesday Apr 26
Pleasant feel very unwell slept ?? able with Eddie Charlie gave me 5.00 he went to P in after noon [she] went up towne [did some apparent purchases] Eddie quite sick
Thursday Apr 27
Very gay warm washed cooked all day Mrs B and Roy went up towne bought of old lady embroidery buttons [at price] feel so lonely while Charlie is gone received a letter from home from all
Friday Apr 28
? so pleasant rained {a bit at something o’clock] sent Mrs B after the doctor for Eddie She is ?? worse ?? Dr Clark ? some days she has a very severe cold will be back in a few days she is very sick to night
Saturday Apr 29
Windy pleasant Eddis is better Lida was sick with earache ? [last] night. She has been in bed all day. Dr was here in the afternoon. Thinks she will be well in a few days with care. Charlie is home to night so glad to see him he sat with me for a while
Sunday Apr 30
Pleasant Slept bad part of ? night. Eddie cough [was better] but Lida was very sick Dr was here She came out with measles at night Cared for Roy while his father went up towne Mr Ludlow was here. Gardners bill 17.00
Monday May 1
Pleasant Lida was quite sick Dr came. Slept very little on account of Lida. Eddies rested much better. Eddie has the intermitting fever. Eddie was quite sick in after noon
Tuesday May 2
Very windy Slept and that a very little Eddie rested quite well Lida fretted great ?? fever ?? C. Filemelt [and other items purchased, sold] Dr was here days ? that are better
Wednesday May 3
Cool and windy. Eddie was well enough …… Lida is gaining fast? Dr was here in [? Evening]
Thursday May 4
Very very windy. Dr came last visit Sewed Lida was ? for the first time. Cared for Roy. Mother went out ? Children appear to be well
Friday May 5
Very windy Girls quite well Swept cleaned Feel very miserable
Saturday May 6
Very fine windy. Sew most all day Girls improving Charlie got one quart of paint?????
Sunday May 7
Very warm Mrs B went to church Mr went up towne Stayed home all day went to bed early was sick
Monday May 8
So very warm Washed Cared for Roy his mother went out I went up towne in evening Paid for 25 mandill ? Cared my own chit? .bought belt of Mendells
Tuesday May 9
Went up towne [shopping for items—]
Muslin
Got Lida hat…Mrs smiths
Cambrie eddging at Mendells [a store]
Wednesday May 10
Cool and windy went up towne got bread
[unclear I think another shopping list]
Thursday May 11
Went up towne got buttons, [much more hard to decipher].
Pleasant Girls went up to Leannas ??
Friday May 12
Swept house sewed
[smudged difficult to read; Charlie, to bed, ??]
Saturday May 13
Wind blowed went up towne got Lida shoes at Mendells swept house ?.Charlie got home
Sunday May 14
Pleasant Stayed at home had such a terrible time in evening I went down to Mrs B after noon ??
Monday May 15
Very human? [garbled message about buying]
Tuesday Mat 16
Very very windy sewed went up towne in evening got three needles not feeling well
Wednesday May 17
Very pleasant put up carpets in dinner and bed room put bedroom one down again Mr Beggling ? did it for me Mr B said he will buy my carpet and get me a new one
Thursday May 18
Pleasant went up towne bought me ?? a present for me Charlie gave me ? for my old one bought …Paid Dr C 10.—
Friday May 19
Cleansed and washed ?? Cleaned dining room Paid Charles ?
Saturday May 20
Cleaned carpet ? ….pleasant
Sunday May 21
Eddies birthday three years old pleasant get up very unwell Evening cared for Roy He sat up with Mrs L
Monday May 22
Very pleasant
Wrapper sent up to ? Deli ?
Cared for Roy
Very unwell Received a letter from Lida ?
Tuesday May 23
Rained Took up carpet Mr and Mrs B room and cleaned it very tired at night
Wednesday May 24
Pleasant Cleaned up stairs all day
Thursday May 25
Cleaning up stairs finished
Friday May 26
Pleasant up late
Saturday May 27
Baked …… unwell
Sunday May 28
Cool …went up towne … with children went over to Mrs B Mrs B did not go to church Mr went up towne and went to church ??
Monday May 29
Mrs Berl called
Pages destroyed until
Tuesday June 13
Very warm sewed paid Wells Mrs B paid her
Wednesday June 14
Pleasant went up towne [business notes]
Thursday June 15
Very warm sewed cleaned parler cleaned up stairs cared for Roy
Friday June 16
War swept ???
Saturday June 17
Cleaned baked much cooler very unwell in afternoon sick all night
Sunday June 18
Quite cool stayed in bed most all day cared for Roy in evening
Monday June 19
Very windy went up towne in afternoon Girls stayed alone
Cared dress up to get cut went up in evening [something about girls]
Tuesday June 20
Pleasant went up town Mrs. ? Eddie went to get my dress she charged me ?? gave her ?
Lida played with Annie
Wednesday June 21
Windy washed ironed washed blankets so very tired at night
Thursday June 22
Very warm but windy?? Sewed ..got supper Went to Bareas? With children Mr B gave me 1.25
Friday June 23
Pleasant but windy
Swept whole house in fornoon went up towne in after noon [made purchases] feel so very miserable
Had a long talk with Charlie in evening did nothing …?
Saturday June 24
Pleasant [rest can’t be read]
Sunday June 25
Pleasant and warm Lilly out ? Stayed at home till night Called on Miss (Mrs) Barry a few moments Charlie ?? with his brother ?
Monday June 26
So very hot washed before breakfast Sewed ?? Mrs Barney had a little boy dog sick ??
Tuesday June 27
Been very warm sewed a very little Eddie sick again feel miserable discouraged blue?? Came home sick Tired of being ? alone in the world Sold rags
Wednesday June 28
Very warm sewed Eddie and I went up towne in evening I’m ??? Charlie did not come home for lunch
Thursday June 29
Very hot Swept sewed till twelve. Mrs. B went out at night. Mr B stayed home cared for him Eddie sick in fore noon
Friday June 30
So very warm swept stairs cared for Roy his mother went out Jerome think .. sick through the night Charlie sat up with ? sit with Mrs B. in evening. Paid peddler ladie. Jerome died to night at 10 o clock
Saturday July 1
Very early Grandfather [Augustus Barney, Jerome’s father] came over ate lunch going to stay to night Charlie came in morning said Jerome was dead went over and ? went up towne Mrs. B cared for Roy??
Sunday July 2
So warm in morning Mr and Mrs Barney went to funeral Grandfather …was here for dinner. Felt very miserable today
Monday July 3
Been quite warm ?? went up towne quiet in evening put some flowers on Jeromes grave feel miserable
[Jerome A Barney was a printer, involved in publishing in California, related to Mr and Mrs B in this diary. His father, referred to as Grandfather above, was Augustus Barney. The Oakland Daily Evening Tribune for July 7, 1876 said he was “formerly editor of the San Rafael Journal.” He died of “dropsy of the heart.” A Maryland native, he came to CA in 1853. He was buried at Mt Tamalpais Cemetery in San Rafael.]
Tuesday July 4
Very windy .[Something about Charlie putting out fire]
Feel so miserable
Wednesday July 5
Not so warm washed went up towne in evening Mrs B cared for children came home with Charlie feel so miserable Mrs ? was sick Mrs Barney gave me ? for caring for Roy
Thursday July 6
Not very warm swept down stairs not feeling well
Friday July 7
Quite cool swept Mrs B ? swept Roy’s
Mrs B went to city on three black ? Mr Barney ? is sick cared for Roy
Charlie left home at night gave Mrs B [$] to getting girls? Grandfather went
Saturday July 8
Windy rained swept cared for Roy his mother went out three black trimes? Something about children
Sunday July 9
Gloomy did not feel well went over to Mrs Berys Roy went Mr Mrs B went to church Eddie ?
Monday July 10
Quite warm
Put up clothes and mended shirt Mr Bashew Mcdonald Mrs ? called the men appraised the property
Tuesday July 11
Very warm cleaned pantry
Grandfather came in for noon said April could not live Charlie went towne at six and Charlie gave ???
Wednesday July 12
Quite warm Charlie in city all day came home at night ?? lied in bed all day
Thursday July 13
Cool and windy felt some better washed ??
Friday July 14
Swept house very tired went up towne in evening [did shopping] Mrs B cared for children
Saturday July 15
Pleasant Cared for Roy his mother went to city get up unwell sick all day drained ??
Sunday July 16
Very warm nice in evening Mr Mrs Barney went to church in evening Roy went to walk with Eddie and I over to Mrs Burrys very unwell ?
Monday July 17
Quite warm Grandfather came hom took lunch went back Charlie went down to city in evening ?? Mrs. Barneys brother in law came stayed all night went up towne got girls book…went home…Berrys
Tuesday July 18
Very warn went to Charlies with ? stayed home ..very tired…went up towne ..[shopping]
Wednesday July 19
Overcast and gloomy cared for Roy in after noon his mother went out worked in garden in afternoon Charlie gave me 15.00
Thursday July 20
Done but very little sewed a very little took a wrap out >>>> event up towne Eddie was a bed Mrs Barney gave me 7.00
Friday July 21
Very windy swept whole house unwell all day cleaned all of the windows paid sales ?? Went out to Mrs. Feullers ? a few moments
Saturday July 22
Pleasant but windy baked cared for Roy his mother went out paid peddler woman 2.00
Sunday July 23
Windy cared for Roy morning and evening Charlie went to city stayed at home all day
Monday July 24
Cool and windy washed sewed in ….went in evening
Tuesday July 25
Very windy Charlie went on stage to Palermo gave me $ went up towne in after noon [varied shopping]
Wednesday July 26
Very windy stayed at home all day sewed on my dress bought peaches ??
Thursday July 27
Pleasant Mrs B went out cared for Roy friend called went up towne in evening ..Eddie..
Friday July 28
Swept out Mrs B went out sent got me ?? at ?? Mary Duram ? came in evening
Saturday July 29
Windy went up towne to market went to ??[shopping] Charlie came home at night
Sunday July 30Pleasant cared for Roy morning evening …
Monday July 31
Pleasant very warm sewed went up town got [shopping]
Tuesday Aug 1
Pleasant Cared for Roy his mother went ? in evening sewed Miss Berry called
Wednesday Aug. 2
Pleasant went up towne [shopping]
Thursday Aug 3
Pleasant sewed all day Miss Berl called. Stayed for a long time
Friday Aug 4
Very pleasant swept baked Mrs B went out in afternoon I went out in evening [shopped for things like ambric for supplier?] Charlie came home with me
Saturday Aug 5
Pleasant Ironed Baked Paid ? Mrs Fuller and mother called spent the evening
Sunday Aug 6
Pleasant Mrs B went to church and Mr B stayed home and ?
Miss Berl wore ? new hat cared for Roy in evening
Monday Aug 7
Very pleasant stayed at home went into Mrs Fullers a little while in evening. Mr B gave me 4.00
Tuesday Aug 8
So very windy sewed went up towne in evening got load of prin ? and bells ….Went over to Miss Berys she came home with me to the bridge ? Mr B paid 6.00
Wednesday Aug 9
Very warm sewed and swept Lida went up to ?? I went to Mrs Fullers to get ??? very unwell before going to bed
Thursday Aug 10
Been very warm washed baked very unwell all day worked ….. Cared for Roy his mother went out Grandfather came back Mrs B get ????
Friday Aug 11
Been very warm swept whole house cleaned windows feel so tired Put children to bed went up towne to Miss Berl she is going to get me a shawl ? I gave her 3.00 Went into Mrs Baregas to see her about silk Mrs B came home with me sat ?
Saturday Aug 12
Very warm baked ironed sent up to Pratts?? [shopping]
Sunday Aug 13
Muggy and windy Charlie owed Miss Berl get the shawl ??
Spent a miserable evening
Monday Aug 14
Foggy and cold spent a sick miserable day Paid ?? unwell ?
Tuesday Aug 15
Very warm Mr B gave me $ gave Dibbe $ went up towne rode home with ?? Lida went to school went into ? asked Mary ? about wrapper?
Wednesday Aug 16
Windy sewed a wrapper Charlie gave me some candy in evening feel miserable
Thursday Aug 17
Pleasant washed went up towne Eddie went to Mrs ? brought home ?? [shopping] suffered last night with tooth ache ache to night
Friday Aug 18
Pleasant swept house feel very tired sewed some Grandfather went to city
Saturday Aug 19
Very windy baked cleaned pantry feel miserable Grandfather came home ??
Sunday Aug 20
Windy stayed at home ?? went to Miss Bery [perhaps a sister of Mr. Barney?] wore my new dress Mr B stayed home all day
Monday Aug 21
Windy went into Miss Berls ?? a while swept got tooth ache
Tuesday Aug 22
Windy went up to court house Mr Moon? Did not come feel very unwell Mrs B cared for Eddie
Wednesday Aug 23
[cannot read]
Thursday Aug 24
Very hot washed in fore noon ?? cared for Eddie and Roy went to walk called on Mrs Berrys to come home with me after a while went ? crossed the bridge with her Charlie came stayed but few moments
Friday Aug 25
Very warm swept whole house washed ?? feel sick in after noon cared for Roy wait to get out ?? Children ..came home with Mr B
Saturday Aug 26
Very hot Mrs Shefield got hair ??
Sunday Aug 27
Pleasant Mr B stayed at home ????
Monday Aug 28
Quite windy went up town [shopping, muslin] Roy and Eddie went into C. office
Tuesday Aug 29
Cannot read Ready to go to city Eddie ??
Wednesday Aug 30
Details about making payments shopping up towne
Thursday Aug 31
Pleasant felt sick all day Mr Barneys friend ? lunch all went but Mrs B
Friday Sept 1
Feel miserable swept house had dinner at 3 went for walk Eddie and Roy packet of needles went into Mrs ? one hour
Saturday Sept 2
Pleasant stayed at home retried ??from home
Sunday Sept 3
Cloudy stayed at home all day Rained at night first time
Monday Sept 4
Showery washed went up towne in evening Mr B gave me $ [shopping] Mr B came home with me
Tuesday Sept 5
Pleasant done but very little cryed most all day
Wednesday Sept 6
Pleasant went up to the country with children ??went up to dr Charles got medicine unwell in afternoon
Thursday Sept 7
Was unwell felt miserable all day ?? Charlie says he can’t board with me this winter
Friday Sept 8
Pleasant swept house
Went up town [shopping]
Cryed myself sick
Saturday Sept 9
Rather windy baked. Oh I feel so sick of living and don’t know what I shall do this winter Charlie told me he could not stay with me Oh I will die of ?? My poor little girls
Sunday Sept 10
Been very warm but pleasant
Had a long talke with Charlie says ?? to do best go home feel very bad all day cryed so much He will furnish money for me will rent my house. Mr Mrs B sat up with me for a while
Monday Sept 11
Put up ?? sent into Mrs Fullers a few moments got the girls dresses Charlie get one sit with me a while
Tuesday Sept 12
Pleasant went up towne [purchased] muslin the girls went up to ? it showered
Wednesday Sept 13
Pleasant sewed all day on my girls dresses Mrs Barney and Roy went out Charlie gave me some ??
Thursday Sept 14
Pleasant sun quite hot sewed on dresses made aprons for girls Charlies gave me ???? sold his first ??
Friday Sept 15
Pleasant swept whole house cleaned parlor went up towne [purchases]
Saturday Sept 16
Cloudy ad windy looks like rain finished girls dresses ?? aprons
Sunday Sept 17
Quite pleasant Mr B stayed at home I went up to dressmakers get measure for children ? went into Mrs Berrys went to get ?? with children going to city Charlie stopped a few minutes in in evening with me
Monday Sept 18
Pleasant went to city spent $60.00 Mr B gave it to me
Tuesday Sept 19
Sewed washed went up towne in evening get bill of goods
Wednesday Sept 20
Pleasant went up towne got dyes etc. paid China ? .75
Thursday Sept 21
Pleasant Mrs B cared for children went to get my dress some billions of ? Gave Mrs Perls 2.00 Mr B gave me 2.00 Mrs B worked buttons also
Friday Sept 22
Swept house sewed my pants
Saturday Sept 23
Cleaned windows sewed on girls pants got a wrapper full about one
Sunday Sept 24
Very hot stayed at home all day Read and burned old letters Charlie sat with me a while
Monday Sept 25
Very hot sewed all day sat at sofa sewed on after close cut out wrapper had to send get 22 yards more
Tuesday Sept 26
Very hot set out girls dresses Mrs Barney lined them and bested ? them sent to city got22 yards of Aspera ? of? 2.00 so very tired at night cleaned parlor in evening
Wednesday Set 27
Very warm sewed all day on girls dresses Mr and Mrs Macdonald called on Mrs B judge Abring ? comes over to ?? Mr Barney gave 1.00 gave Mr Feller? 8.00
Thursday Sept 28
Very hot Charles went to PalmeroPlea in after noon has bought him a horse and buggy gave me 2.00
on girls dresses ??
Friday Sept 29
Swept house sewed Charlie gone very warm [bought materials such as silk]
Saturday Sept 30
Pleasant sewed finished girls dresses went up towne [made purchases] Charlie came home
Sunday Oct 1
Pleasant Went up to Charles Collamore’s got him to exchange trunks. Charlie B. carried ? my and Eddies and Lidas he went to city in post boat his brother and sister starting over ?? I shall give Mary D 25 to get ? I went over the Jeny Tilers ? Mrs B and children got the mumps
Monday Oct 2
Pleasant Washed Oh so very tired. Mr Barney’s brother came in after noon trivial ? took dinner eat [something about taking dress and hat to city to get $]
Tuesday October 3
Very warm Mr Barney’s sister, brother father had lunch with me went up towne in after noon and evening Took short ride with Charlie Went into Mrs Fullers stayed a while in evening Got my ?? from est 1.50 ? Unwell in evening
Wednesday Oct 4
Quite ? got up feeling very unwell so all day sewed on my wrapper Mr B ? for me
Thursday Oct 5
Pleasant Sewed all day Mrs Spiller took lunch here Mrs fuller and mother was in .. in evening sewing my wrapper
Friday Oct 6
Swept house went up towne after sweeping Charlie brought me home ? up pleating got it pleated got ??[shopping needles buttons] went into the office of Mr Barney’s sister Grandfather over in evening put my pleating on in evening
Saturday Oct 7
Pleasant Sewed up sleeves. Mr and Mrs Barney went to socialize ?? in after noon I went up to get sequin ?? but ?? ….buttons feel so miserable had late dinner Mr Mrs Spiller was in in evening so ?? with and was dead ../
Sunday Oct 8
Cloudy but warm Charlie spent a few moments with me in morning went ??? with girls with Charlies team gave Miss Berl a short ride engaged ??
Monday Oct 9
Pleasant Mrs Mour ? come up in first boat I went to court house Girls cared me ?? home Girls went over to Llamas ? got sequin went up to ? in evening ????
Tuesday Oct 10
Pleasant sewed all day Grandmother Barney ???
Wednesday Oct 11
Pleasant sewed while Charlie was eating lunch and rode over to Mrs Berrys finished my black ?? Mrs Fullwer to lunch All in in evening
Thursday Oct 12
Cold foggy in morning ??Browne dryers and maid ??? then went up towne got Eddie ?? ….all in evening
Friday oct 13
Cool foggy Charlies gone to Petuma ?? his brother went Mrs Spiller had lunch and dinner with Mrs Spiller and mother ?? in evening ?? girls wrappers
Saturday Oct 14
Foggy cold in morning Sewed all day Charlie came home at 6:30 seemed so cold towards me Oh am so lonely Granner ? Grandma? Went out get my switch 2.25
Sunday Oct 15
Quiet pleasant look over things in trunk all day get things Charlie had so long ??John Mrs Spiller came I was done in evening
Monday Oct 16
Cool and cloudy rained last night hard
Looked over trunks cleaned up our kitchen
Tuesday Oct 17
Rained all day packed trunks and sent some almost through John and sister in in evening
Wednesday Oct 18
Pleasant Mrs Barney went to city sent got hat for Lida washed so tired at night
Thursday Oct 19
Pleasant Cleaned around Mrs. Barney went to city I went up towne get things get ?? and some ?? things at Montells
Friday Oct 20
Pleasant Mrs. B. help me and went up towne Paid Montell 9.90 go ?? shoes 2.20 [other list of purchases whale oil, ] sold husband watch for 20.00 ??to-morrow
Saturday Oct 21
Pleasant ate breakfast with Mrs. Fuller went up to ? paid …Mr Dubois came over was very angry ? and would not pay him went to city [bought supplies] slept at Johns
Sunday Oct 22
Started east
slept a very little Lida ?? breakfast at Colfax
Charlie rode to ?
Lida and Eddie not bad ?? .. first or porter John went to Oakland ?
Porter gave me a ? cup of tea?
Monday Oct 23
Slept better. Rode through sage brush had a cup of tea 25 grapes 25 bread 10 tea 15 ? eggs 25 ?? 1.00
Tuesday Oct 24
Got up with head ache bas fell better get into Ogden at 8.20 reserved a ??? to ?? got pleasant Porter
? bring up a table or cable Got to Stackms 4 vail 75
Wednesday Oct 25
Pleasant Road all day crest the Rocky Mountains slept nice
Apples 10
Thursday Oct 26
Gave Porter 1.00 got to ?? left my friends ?? [changed trains]
Chicken 1.00 bread 10
Friday Oct 27
Got into Chicago and father left Mr pednar ??
Slept nice
Saturday Oct 28
Gloomy and miserable rode through Canada slept well so very nice
Sunday Oct 29
Pleasant got into Boston at 10 o clock lodged at ? hotel till Monday morning
Monday Oct 30
Started for home rode all day got home at night Charlie met me at ? felt so glad to see him
Tuesday Oct 31
Pleasant some friends came into see me felt pretty well
Wednesday Nov 1
Pleasant wrote to Mr B sewed for Emmie [Emmie is her sister, Emma B. McCrillis, age 14, who lived with her mom and dad as did Marie when she got back from CA, and Charlie too, I assume. She became Emma Huff and lived until 1952
Thursday Nov 2
Quite pleasant sewed for mother paid father ?? felt very homesick
Friday Nov 3
Quite cool mother and father went to funeral I went down to Ellens [Ellen is her sister Ellen McCrillis, who was six years older, married in 1864 to Nelson Davis] went to Pittsfield with Emmie Nelson [Nelson Davis, brother in law] ? get some drinks
Saturday Nov 4
Very cool went up to Hartland ? with Charlie and Emmie Paid girls fees or furs 3.00
Called to Uncle Nels
Sunday Nov 5
Pleasant but cool
Lewis and Floris spent the afternoon Nelson Ellen May ? and Henry spent the evening Emmie and I went to H=?? Harland unwell head ache
Monday Nov 6
Pleasant washed in fore noon got Nelson’s > Emmie and I went to Pittsfield Mother sent ?? get her some chairs she gave me 5 and paid the rest 3.50 get change 10.00 wrote to Mr Palmer
Tuesday Nov 7 Election snowed all day Pepper went to meeting Charlie went to Hartland got Pepper Pepper bedroom ??
Wednesday Nov 8
Rained hard all day furled ?? carpet Mrs Ham Lilla Towle called went up to buy a organ asked 125 Lebbeus Collamore came to board with mother and four others while they ?? hay
Thursday Nov 9 [he was brother of James and son of Sullivan and Jane Collamore]
Cloudy went up to Harland with Mr Bowsman get table 25.5 [perhaps other furnitute] Charlie went and got the furniture get picture frame? charlies barney got his collar ?? Mrs /Spaulding called get Pepper
Friday Nov 10
Cloudy did nothing but ?? Ellson came up feel limes?? And John Hay called wrote to Charlie
Saturday Nov 11
Rained blowed Pressus left???/fixed ?? got a letter from Charlie
Sunday Nov 12
Rained almost all day Stayed at home with brother sister mother father went ? to Ellens Charlie went ? afternoon wrote to Mr Peterson
Monday Nov 13
Cleared off washed ironed was very tired at night first day of school Emmie and Charlie went ??
Tuesday Nov 14
My birthday 26 years
Rained some cleared some in afternoon got ? 1.00 fur for suits 65 a ? send to Mr Barney received a letter from Mr Palmer
[the rest is garbled]
Wednesday Nov 15
Very cold and clear Libby and Seal? stayed all night
Had long talk with them
Thursday Nov 16
Very pleasant finished pleating sent a letter to Mr Palmer
Mrs Parks and Sarah came up spent most of day Ellen ??? Promised Mrs Parks ?? next week Father paid me 4.00?
Thursday Nov 17
Very pleasant vixed my brown or broom ?? [rest unintelligible]
Friday Nov 18
Mrs Parks came down and I promised her I would come up this after noon
Charlie came down helen’s kidd ? home and went up to P. Sarah and Ellen went stayed all night
Saturday Nov 19
Gloomy Got up saw the boys Ellen carried one home to ? at 11 Charlie came after me at 4?? Living ? called I and ? went to Hartland went into Ellen’s ? et Portlo? At Millers..came home ?
Friday Nov 24
Cold but pleasant went down to Palmyra village with Emmie Lida stayed at home Father went down to Ellens Mother and I went Girls stayed at home looked for Mr Palmer All day feel ?? did not get any better head ache
Saturday Nov 25
Pleasant Mr Clive Brown took supper with Charlie Emmie and I went up to Hartland ?? get letter from Mr Barney
Sunday Nov 26
Pleasant but cool went to church morning and afternoon Eddie and Lida went
Father and I went to ? after Mr Palmer ? Did not come ?
Monday Nov 27
Pleasant but cool Washed and ironed mostly Charlie ? Nelson and Ellen came up in evening ? letter to Mr Palmer
Tuesday Nov 28
Pleasant Came down to mothers at night ? Katee and Charlie
Pleasant I went after Charlie and Mr Formeshan ??? father killed his cow
Wednesday Nov 29
Came down to Mothers at night eat Katee and Charlies pleasant
Thursday Nov 30
Very cold Ellen Sarah ???? came over to mothers spent the day Went to bed early Eddie was sick at night
Friday Dec 1
Pleasant stayed at mothers sewed for her ??
Saturday Dec 2
Snowed Sewed for mother washed dishes Charlie came up ? in after noon ? a letter for me from Mr Peterson Went up town with Emmie and Charlie get a letter from Mr Palmer says he thinks he will come down spend ? cents for ruffs calice ????
Sunday Dec 3
Cold stayed at home all day Mother father went to church all day stormed at night [rest garbled]
Monday Dec 4
Cold and pleasant washed sent a letter to Mr Palmer and Mr Peltson or Peterson fixed bedroom felt homesick [for deceased husband buried in CA?]
Tuesday Dec 5
Clear and cold read charlie’s letter felt lonesome hang out clothes ?? them all went off
Wednesday Dec 6
Pleasant and rained in fore noon went over to Newport at uncles and w [idow] shaw had a nice time left Lida with mother sent father $7.00 [which father?]
Thursday Dec 7
Pleasant but cold stayed at home with Aunt felt sick unwell all day
Friday Dec 8
Snowed some went over to Aunt Whiteness of Whitman in afternoon saw ? she says she is going to start for California on the 14th
Saturday Dec 9
Snowed and blowed Uncle says he will sell me a machine [sewing] this week for $40 ?father came over after one ? was cold Walter and Genie? Mrs got home at 1:20 o’clock see ? Lida
Sunday Dec 10
Cold and blowed stayed at home all day Henry ? come ? spent the afternoon and evening
Monday Dec 11
Clear and cold washed went down to Ellens stayed all night had good time
Tuesday Dec 12
Snowed and blowed all day came up home in morning Ellen came up and children get a paper ? for me Charlie wrote to Mr and Mrs Peterson
Wednesday Dec 13
Look like rain and rained some Batched ? my letter had tooth ache went up town put my letter in office saw the torch light procession did not get any letter
Thursday Dec 14
Gail fine feel homesick Uncle Elisha was out in fore noon he is going away to Minnesota stayed at home had a good cry feel homesick. Get the girls to bed early
Friday Dec 15
Gail nice weather knit an ?? Father was to write for Rlson? Charlies and Emmie and I went up to Fenell Falls in evening
Saturday Dec 16
Very cold and clear went up town and go knit needles and crotchet needles and sarkes ? whole amt .44 cts
Went mile see Viola Neff (or Nett) she is very sick saw Daisy came home commenced to blow and know it is terrible tonight I wonder if Jimey ? is well
Sunday Dec 17
Clear and terrible cold stayed at home all day Mother went down to Wirrens? Charlie went to church I knit I am ?? very lonesome write PM small letter to Jimmie?
Monday Dec 18
Snowed and blowed all day Knit on my trelz? Charlie and Fashe? Went over to Newport so terrible cold to night
Tuesday Dec 19
Clear and cold stayed at home knit in evening on Eddie’s mitten
Wednesday Dec 20
Clear and cold washed in forenoon Nelson came up Ellen and we went down to make Mrs Bowman [Bowmans were neighbors, Samuel and Elizabeth] a visit Father and mother came downe and get me and stayed the evening
Thursday Dec 21
Cloudy snow in evening we went over to ?? in evening get a pepper ??
Friday Dec 22
Cold snowed received a letter from Mr Barney long and one homesick Father and Mother went downe to ?? Ellen came up and we went up to Hartland
Saturday Dec 23
Snowed blowed lent Charlie 5.00 he got me some ? for girls .35 cts
Sunday Dec 24
Clear and cold went to church morning and afternoon
Monday Dec 25
Clear and cold went to Harland get ? for myself went to Christmas [party] with Gillman Burleigh had nice time [there was a Gilman S. Burleigh who lived in Waterville, Kennebec Co, born in 1838]
San Rafael ??? my little ??? writing this thinking when I will [forget?] Christmasses
Tuesday Dec 26
Pleasant Mrs Farnnigan came over spent the afternoon and evening Mr Finniman came in evening Mr and Mrs Bowman came in evening
Wednesday Dec 27
Pleasant done housework for mother Nelson came in evening
Thursday Dec 28
Very pleasant get sewing machine to try Mr and Mrs Morrison called Emmie and I went down to Ellen’s in evening wrote to Mr Barney
Friday Dec 29
Pleasant blowed in afternoon went up Mr Burleigh in evening snowed blowed fearful Harry and ??
Saturday Dec 30
Snowed blowed Gillman called Frank ?? called ???stayed home in evening bright moon light send a letter to Mr Barney
Sunday Dec 31
Get up late very clear and cold stayed home all day beautiful evening write in Gillman book the last evening of the year wonder what will happen hope to be here ????
Memoranda
Jan ? Paid ? 7.10get roll poppers get bowls ? for Lida $1.50 get shipped Wells Fargo 2.00
27th
Gave mrs barney $ [she then bought items]
Bought of Mendell
[items including Brush]
29th gave mrs barney $2 [she then bought items such as 6 yards of cloth and wrapper]
Under cash account for January a list of purchases toward
Wells Fargo, Mandel, Barney
Under cash account for January money received from Barney’s totaling 12.50
Under cash account for February a list of money received from Barney’s totaling $19
Under cash account paid for February a list of purchases such as
To Pratts, Mandells, Barney, and peddler
Feb 10
Mrs Barney got Eddie?
13th
Went Ida up to Mendells [items like popper]
17th
Purchases
February 19th
Went up town to Mandels [list of purchases boots comb]
21got pattern
25 pain
Chair mended
[Toddler scribbling]
Under cash account for March a list of money received from Barney, Peddler Pratt
Under cash account paid for March a list of purchases such as Mandell, Birdwell, Pratt, Smith, Barney
Similarly for April a small amount received from Barneys and purchases to Mandell, Duboios, Peddler
Likewise for May including Wells Fargo China, Dr. Black
Likewise for June receiving money from Barneys and rag man and purchases Dubois, China, peddler among other
Same for July August September
For October, her travels, she paid for tea, grapes, eggs, bread, stockings
A table for cash account shows summaries for Jan, Feb, Mar then a note under the end of year I went up towne and got there things print or pain clamneddle tobacco and ribbons
Another garbled list for September
[The memoranda backs up the diary in showing that she worked for the Barneys and she was a dress maker either for family or retail or both]
Toward the end in Memoranda
For the golden chime of memory kind of [or kindly] think for me Nellie Collamore Dec. 31, 1876.
To read the biography of Lida Newcomb published on Amazon by Russell M. Lawson go to https://www.amazon.com/Memories-Lida-Newcomb-Russell-Lawson-ebook/dp/B0FT1N91TD/ref=sr_1_2?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.J8vuhayH38hhAiGCVPI0bOHz49ZRH61Xxd-IxplouP6kWzxNr1PRLK0p_JnFy9SukVK-0Pp2lhkiUJlTbtYSV10jaDoFjfbZKdUdBON-FVAEPZ7LiPGKmtqJ4Uf58hFNz98hbxZfGHjuV5AhGjWkKVCnMcU-7w-Qo8rACpCouWjv1-MNLeisNsUtAnd7F6H4oPcqxRtFrtkUxaZRV96-cswnUzrHPID7qxP1OhmKUHY.v1zUq4Sd9m4iwTHN1E_zRIUdrgcYSHbvvfLKu-p-11w&dib_tag=se&keywords=Russell+M+Lawson&qid=1761776294&s=books&sr=1-2
The American Plutarch 