Lucian Boneparte Grout's DIARY 1 Jan 1888 to 31 Mar 1888 Contributed by Joyce Hall and her son, Douglas A. Hall and David C. Young itigapa@aol.com Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm Written by Lucian Boneparte Grout of Golden Ridge, Maine This was copied from David C. Young's Personal copy of Lucian Grout's Diary. Copy Number: 12 CREDITS Joyce Rand Hall translated the diary and provided interpretation of spelling, writing, terms, expressions and sentence structure. Joyce is the daughter of Everett Rand, granddaughter of Ada Grout Rand, and great granddaughter of Lucian B. Grout. Alex Ha11 offered consultation on antiquated rural expressions and interpretation. Douglas A. Hall offered typing of the work and served as editor and publisher in consultation with Joyce and Alex Hall. COMMENTS No one in the credits went to diary translation school. We enjoyed reading the diary of Jennie Morrison, a Golden Ridge resident who kept a diary in 1892 when she was sixteen years old. This diary was transcribed in 1983 by Nina Caldwell Sawyer. Who are we writing for? We do not know. We believe it would be selfish to keep to ourselves the efforts of a man nearly on-- hundred years ago to record his daily routine. INTRODUCTION Ninety-eight years ago, the great grandfather of Joyce Rand Hall kept a diary on Golden Ridge, a section of Sherman, Maine. The diary came into the possession of Joyce by way of Lucille Grout Nye, the daughter of Fred Grout, who was the son of the diary's author, Lucian Boneparte Grout. The 1888 diary is a little easier reading than Lucian's 1986 diary in that ink rather than pencil was used most of the time. The small red calendar book had space for four to eight statements each day. Within the confines of this format, Lucian tried to summarize the weather, how he was feeling, what he was doing and who was around him and what they were doing. It appears that he wrote in the book twice daily to summarize the day in two halves, probably at the noontime meal and again prior to going to bed. Lucian also used the diary to keep some semblance of an account book. Some of his visiting guests paid for the privilege of spending the night. Some record of neighbors helping neighbors was kept. The translation is not one hundred per cent pure. Some liberties were taken with Lucian's punctuation, spelling and sentence structure. (We usually indicated this liberty in parenthesis, but not always). Lucian did not always use a period to end a sentence or if he did, it has faded, but a capital letter in the next phrase suggests that he intended to do so. On the other hand, he occassionally used capital letters in the middle of a sentence. We have a glossary of characters mentioned in Lucian's diary arranged by surname in alpha order. We did only preliminary research on these characters in this the summer of 1986 when the Maine State Library was closed. The redder may want to search further for information on these characters in the Shermann, Patten, Island Falls and Crystal areas as well as several other smaller towns and townships in the area. Before you start reading, you may want to review Grout in the character glossary to gain a sense of who Lucian and his family were. Lucian does not offer much of his thoughts in this concise record of his days. He offers facts, but rarely any feelings. A few helpful hints are offered to the reader on some frequently used terms; the Mills refers to Sherman Mills approximately four miles to the south. The Falls refers to Island Falls approximately seven miles to the northwest. to bait apparently means to feed. Post Meeting (or more frequently Poste Meetting) is reference to his GAR meetings a's a veteran of the Civil War. K oil was apparently kerosene for lamps. Lucian did not mention puchasing such oil in his 1886 diary, but mentions it a few times in 1888. Perhaps they made a transition from candles to lamps in this era. We will attempt (in parenthesis) to speculate on some of the meaning intended as we go through the diary. We are not sure if this effort is ever finished. It is like genealogy in that it is never done. As we read more diaries in the area by Morrison, Spooner and Young, we increasingly gain a larger perspective of the area in that time and the people who lived it. We contribute Lucian's work to others who likewise pursue some similar knowledge or understanding. We doubt that Lucian ever expected to see his diary copied and passed around for others to see. We doubt, however, that he would mind. We have Lucian's 1886 and 1889 diaries as well as this one, which we believe should also be available. We hope this introduction will better prepare you than we were when we started on the task of making readable an old diary. DIARY OF LUCIAN B. GROUT In the front of this diary, Lucian wrote in: Lucian Grout born March 15, 1841. Katy Reed Grout born Ada born May 31, 1870 Fred born February 19, 1872. Katy Carrie Cynthia born April, 1877. The diary begins: Sunday, January 1, 1888: It is snowing this morning before breakfast went over to Martin Emersons. Elbridge Perkins was here when I got home. Has snowed all day. Fred is sick with the headache. Can't think of anything more at this time. Mon. Jan. 2: It is raining this morning. This morning quite warm. Kate carried the children to school then we went to Ed Perry's. I finished laying the tops (could be taps, but is probably tops meaning the planks over the sub-flooring where the animals will stand) in the stable. Ada went to the Mills in the afternoon. Got home half past eight. Rows wife went with her. Pleasant no(to?) night. Tues. Jan. 3: Went to Patten in the forenoon. Settled with Gardner and Coburn for the work in the woods for Reed. Come home by the Falls. Went to see Orrin Rowe but he was not at home. Quite cold to night. 8 p.m. Herman just in. Wed. Jan. 4: Done the chores in the morning then went to the Mills. Got home before dark. Fred is gone this evening. Geo Hamilton, Mrs. Hurlbert and Hugh? was in this evening. Kate is crocheting. Ada is sewing. Katy is knitting. Pleasant. Thurs. Jan. 5: Helped Geo Hamilton draw straw from Jo Roberts. Ada went to Gilman Youngs after a dress. Susan? come home with here and I carried her down to Parkers. Very cold and windy to day.-Erland Rand was in this evening. Paid me for a hundred bushels of oats. January 6, 1888, Friday: Have been helping Geo Hamilton chop wood. Come home to dinner then went back in the afternoon. Jim Dolley come after a load of wood in the afternoon. Mary Roberts, Jud and Irving and Mr. Knowles was in this evening. Quite moderate to night. January 7, Sat.: Went to Mr. Durgin's in the morning to see a steer calf. He was not at home. Fred went to Elmar Robinsons with the steer. I worked in the hen house fixing the oats. Geo Hamilton is here tonight. Kate is spinning. It is snowing. Jan. 8, Sun.: Went to Ben Emerys to see his pung but did not get it. Went to Elbridge Perkins then back to Morgans got his pung. Got home about four. Mrs. Hurlburt, A.? Rowe was in this evening. Very pleasant to night. Can't think of anything more this time. Jan. 9, Mon.: Have been over to Haggets to get some hens. Got twelve had thirteen before. Layed the tops in the colts' stall. Then went to see Rowe's cow think some of swapping. It is very cold today. The children are sick with bad colds. Ada, Cynthia and Carrie. Jan. 10, Tues.: Went to carry ada to Mattawamkeag stoped (stopped) at the half way camp to bait the horse. (To bait is presumed to mean to feed). Got to the point half past eight in the evening. It snowed all the way down but not very cold. Ada took the 4 o'clock train for Blanchard. Can't think off (of) any thing more. Jan. 11, Wed.: Started to come home from the Point about eight in the morning got to the half way camp at noon. Stayed there some over any hour. Got home at six o'clock p.m. Very cold and windy. Can't think of anything more to night. Jan. 12, Thurs.: It is very cold and windy day to day. I have been at home all day working some in the barn. Carried Katy to school in the morning and went after her to night. Froze my nose coming home. No one in today but Jud Roberts. Very cold. Jan. 13, Fri.: Carried Katy to school in the morning then went home with Morgan's pung. Did not do anything but the chores. Am not feeling very well have a bad cold. Fred has gone down the road. Kate is spinning in chamber? Quite moderate to night. It is snowing. January 14, 1888, Saturday: Have been at home to day. Fred and I got a load of wood in the afternoon. Fred went to the Mills in the afternoon. I went up to Jim Dolley's after dinner. Got home in time to do the chores. Guy Webber come home with Fred. Got a pair of pants. Jan. 15, Sunday: I have been at home all day only went in the True Sleepers in the forenoon. It has been snowing most all day some. Quite moderate. B- nn? (perhaps Barn for Barney) and Knowles were in this afternoon. Katy is writing to Ada this evening. Can't think of any thing more. Very moderate. Jan. 16, Mon.: Have been at home all day. Carried Katy to school in the morning. It is very cold to day. Asa Drew was here in the afternoon to get Polly (a horse of the Grout's). Dolley was here to dinner. Luther Rodgers come to hire his horses. Huldy? was in with her dogs. Very cold. Jan. 17, Tues.: Still at home. Went up to Dolly in the morning to get a load of hay. Geo Hamilton, Dolley went with me. Got home half past one o'clock p.m. Very pleasant to day. Went up to Thorntons and got the last of the apples. Elen? Young was here to day. Jan. 18, Wed.: I was at home in the forenoon. Went to the Mills to a Post Meeting in the afternoon. The inspector was here from Hodgdon. Snowed all day and the wind blew. Got home twelve o'clock. Very windy. Jan. 19, Thurs.: Have been at home today. Carried Katy to school in the morning. The roads are very poor. Cold and windy to (too). Have been working in the hen house to day put up some roosts and made some nests. Went to get Katy after school. Very cold to night. Jan. 20, Fri.: still at home carried Katy to school in the morning. Went down to Jo Roberts to see how the roads are drifted. Very cold and windy to day. Went after Kty to night after school. Fred stoped (stopped) to help walk? the school house. Can't think of any thing more. Jan. 21, Sat.: Was at home all day. Very cold and windy. Charles Rowe was in this forenoon telling some great stories. Went up and got some potatoes after dinner. The wind blew and the roads are all full. Can't think of anything more at this time. 8 January 22, 1888, Sunday: Have been at home to day. Bin? (Ben, Barn, Base?) Young was in this morning brought the mail. Dolley and A.J. Morrison come in a few minutes. Fred went up on the hill got home to supper. It has been very cold today but the wind did not blow much have just finished my chores. It is very cold. Jan. 23, Monday: Have been to work on the road to day. Went to Ed Perrys and got the harrow. Thornton went with me. Fellason (?) helped me with Nelsons oxen. Knowles was here to day got a bushel of oats. Charles borrowed some flour. It is snowing some to night. Moderate. Jan. 24, Tues.: Carried Katy to school. Then to Ab Bryant's to get some groceries. He was out of sugar and K (for kerosene) oil. Went to Dunbars but did not get any oil. Kate and the children went to Jo Roberts. Guy Webber come here to day. Very cold and windy to night. Jan. 25, Wed.: Quite pleasant but cold. Carried Katie to school in the morning. Come back done the chores then went to the Mills. Sent in for increase of pension. (Civil War disability pension). Went up to Levie (Levi) Caldwell's to get papers sined (signed, witnessed). Went to Post Metting (meeting) left my pung to Sleepers to fix runners. Very pleasant got home at eleven. Jan. 26, Thurs.: Snowing this morning. Carried Katie to school in the morning then went down to Joseph Roberts with the pung. Then done the chores then read to Katy till three o'clock. Then went up for Katie she came home a foot up the Catte Parth (cattle path) with me. It has snowed all the day and blowed hard but quite warm to night. Jan. 27, Fri.: Still at home very slorming(storming?). Katy went to school a foot the road is very bad. It left of (off) snowing in the afternoon. so it is quite pleasant. To night I went down to Mr. Hamilton stoped (stopped) about 1 hour. Did not water the cattle until about 3 o'clock. Kate is spinning today. Quite pleasant. Jan. 28, Sat.: It is quite pleasant to day. Went and got a load of wood in the forenoon. Then went to working on the road. Gilman Dolley was here to dinner. Worked on the road until 5 0 a clock then done the chores. Fred did not come home stoped (stopped) to help on the road. There is a eclipse on the moon to night. Quite warm to night. January 29, 1888, Sunday: Was at home all day. Very pleasant but cold. Got some potatoes from Thorntons. Erl Rand was in a short time. Fred went off with him. Finished reading Jane Eyre today. Katy, Cynthia and Carrie are to home. Fred got home about 8 o'clock. January 30, 1888, Monday: Went on the road to work in the morning soon as I got breakfast. Got home about two 0 'clock. Very pleasant today. Went down to Mr. Young's Mill to Mr. Harriman(?). got home about half past 7 o'clock. Kate washed to day. Mrs. Hurlbert was here after vinegar. Very pleasant to night. Jan. 31, Tues.: Very pleasant to day have drawed wood to day. Got three loads. Mrs. Hurlbert and Addie Rowe were here. Mr. Denette (Dennett?) came in brought the maile (mail). Had a letter from Ada and some things from Ada and Etta Jen?ne sent Carrie some things. Flow (Flo) Dolly and Rose Young came in the afternoon. Very pleasant. Quite warm. (Speculation: A. Working on the road. Essentially clearing snow in front of one's house usually by dragging a plank. B. Although Lucian may have been going to the neighbors to buy or barter for apples and potatoes, it is also possibly that he had a storage problem (e.g. no cellar) and used his neighbors to store his produce.) February 1, 1888, Wednesday: Very pleasant all day. I finished drawing wood from Hurlberts this forenoon. Mary Roberts, Jo? and Irving were over to day. Gilman Dolley and Charles Rowe were in to day. Kate washed the floor to night. I went and fixed the spout down to the brook. It is all right now. (Spout apparently enabled running water to the home). Feb. 2, Thurs.: Went down to Geo Hamiltons and got a load of wood in the forenoon. Came home done the chores let the hens out, wrote a letter to Ada. Kate wrote to Lufkin(s?). Fred went out to the Poste Ofice (post office). I went down to Hurlberts in the evening. Pleasant went up to Thorntons for potatoes. 10 February 3, 1888, Friday: Have been at home most of the day. Went down to Trues in the forenoon. Come home and done the chores. There was a peddler come here and wanted me to carry him part way to Patten. Carrie d? (Carried him? or Carrie and I) to the top of the hill above Sile (Silas) Coburne (Coburn). Paid me 75 cents. Pleasant. February 4, Sat.: Went up to Dollys in the morning fixed up about the bull. Watered the cattle and put them up. Went to the Mills got the pung from Chas Sleeper. He charged (looks like) $8.50 for putting on new runners. Brought in a bbl (barrel) of flour come in the logging road. Got home eight o'clock. Feb. 5, Sun.: Have been at home most all day. Took Thorntons pung home in the morning then did the chores. Had dinner then went up to Thorntons. Rowe, Knowles and Hugh Hurlbert were in this evening. Fred went up on the hill today. Did not get home untill (until) dark. Quite warm and pleasant today. Thawing some today. Feb. 6, Mon.: Went down to Youngs Mill in the forenoon got home half past 12 o'clock. did the chores put up the cattle and fed them. Then went to Ab Bryants. Nellie (or Nettie) come home with me. The colt killed the pup tonight. Very pleasant. Feb. 7, Tues.: Helped Hamilton on the road untill two o'clock p.m. Then did the chores. Went and carried Nellie B. (Nettie?) home. Carried Mrs. Bryant to Ben Emerys. she is sick. Got home 7 p.m. Not very cold the weather is changeable. Fred is gone this evening. Feb. 8, Wed.: Quite warm-but snowing and blowing. I am quite lame to day onely (only) done the chores. Gilman Dolly came down to have me go out to the Poste (Post) Meeting -to night but was to lame. (Too lame to go.) Have not set up much this afternoon. Have had supper it is raining some to night. Feb. 9, Thurs.: Quite warm to day am very lame to day not able to set up. Can't do any chores today. My back pains me bad when I try to set up. Can't get up alone to day. Kate has to help me. Zetter? Parrey (Perry?) and Roy were in here to night. It is growing colder to night and the wind in blowing. February 10, 1888, Friday: Lame to day but some better. Quite cold the coldest we have had this month. Gilman Dolly came in this morning. He was going up to Thorntons after a cow he has bought. Guy Webber came home with Fred to night. Cynthia is sick with a pain in her back and side has been sick all week. Feb. 11, Sat.: Am still lame but am getting some better. Can't do any chores yet. The weather is quite cool today. Fred and Katy went up to Rands to a party in the evening got home about eleven o'clock. Quite comfortable. Mr. Knowles came in this evening. Kate has finished Perkins mittens to night. Feb. 12, Sunday: Have been at home all day. Am better but my back is very weak. It has been very pleasant to day. Erl Rand, Ben(or Bun)Young and Guy Webber were here to day. Have not had a letter from Ada the last week. Cynthia is some better to night. Have just eaten supper 8 o'clock. Quite warm tonight. Feb. 13, Mon.: Went to the Falls to day got some pork and sugar. Went to Alf Craig's to get it. Donham? was all out. Got home half past three p.m. Dolly was here just night and Chas Higgins called just before dark. Very pleasant today. Feb. 14, Tues.: Carried Katy to school in the morning and went to the Post Office. Got a letter for Fred from Ada. Come home got dinner and went to Chas Higgins. Got home just as the children were coming home from school. Helped do the chores. It is quite warm today and snowing tonight. Feb. 15, Wed.: Carried Katy to school it is snowing and blowing. Drove into Rands but he was not at home. Thornton and Percy was in today. Went after Katy. Still blowing. Guy Webber is here to night. Still very lame. Can't do anything. Very cold and windy to night. Feb. 16, Thurs.: Have been at home to day. Today went and got some potatoes in the forenoon from Thorntons. Bert Sleeper was her to dinner. Chas Rowe was in just at night. Bessie Dolley came home with Katy from school to stay all night. It has stoped blowing and is very pleasant. Feb. 17, Fri.: Carried Katy and Bessie to school in the morning. Went over to Jim?, Gil Dolley he came home with me. Went to Ed Perrys and got some joist to put in the stable. Went up to Rands after dinner. Come home and helped some about the chores. It is quite moderate today. -12 - February 18, 1888, Saturday: Very pleasant this morning. Went and got some potatoes in the forenoon. We got a load of wood in the afternoon. Kate and I went up to Thorntons in the evening got home half past nine p.m. Got a letter from Ada all well at Blanchard. Fred went upon the hill in the evening got the mail. Feb. 19, Sun.: Was at home all day. Fred helped do the chores in the morning then he and Katy went to meeting. Bessie Dolley came home with Katy and stayed all night. Very pleasant. Knowles came in the evening. I read a story Paul Parry (?). Feb. 20, Mon.: Carried Katy and Bess Dolley to school. Went out to see Nason's oxen could not trade for them. Come home by Ab Bryants got some molases (molasses). Did the choress got dinner and went over on Barker Ridge to John Bean's oxen and Dennis Warren's. Bot (Bought) a pair of (off) Warren. Moderate and snowing. Feb. 21, Tues.: Was at home in the forenoon doing chores. Went to carry a man to the Falls by the Falls by the name of Shory (?Ory?) paid me one dollar. Got home just as school let out. Went and got Katy, Alice Morrison came home with her. Fred, Katy and Alice have gone to Ed Perry's to a party. Feb. 22, Wed.: Went to Dollys in the morning he took Pol (Polly, the horse) and went to the Mills. I came home and did the chores. It is very pleasant and warm today. Went and got potatoes tonight. Fred is sick with a bad cold came home and went to bed. P.S. greased the hens foot. Feb. 23, Thurs.: Went to Dennis Warren's and drove home a pair of oxen. Morgan and Link come and helped dress them. Mrs. Thornton and Hurlbert was here to day. Got done just before dark. Very pleasant and warm to day. Fred is some better. Kate is mending my overhalls. Feb. 24, Fri.: Very pleasant this morning. Dolly came down in the morning. We cut the beef down then went and got True Sleeper's sled loaded the beef. Eat dinner done some of the chores. Got ready and started for the camp. Went to Patten got the beef weight (weighed) 1428 pounds. Then drove to Shin Pond. Stayed all night. Pleasant and warm. Feb. 25, Sat.: Pleasant and mild. Started from Shin Pond about seven in the morning for Sour de Hunch (Hunck?) for Rogers and Sam Harvey's camp. Drove to Sam Harvey's camp to dinner started from there about 2 p.m. Stoped a few minutes at Trouts Brook Farm. Saw James A. Feely. Got to Reeds camp half past six. Warm and snowing stayed all night. -13- February 26, 1888, Sunday: Warm but snowing. Got up fed the horses and got breakfast. At six o'clock. Started for camp half past six. Quite warm and snowing. Roads not as good as the day before. The last five or six miles it slumped. (Horses who fell through the snow with their front feet ran the risk of cutting their front legs with their rear hooves. Hard traveling.) Quite bad. Got to camp half past one. Got some dinner there. Went to the other camp stayed all night. (Golden Ridge to Patten to Shin Pond is at least forty miles as a crow flies. We are unsure of Lucian's exact route. Sourdnahunk Lake is now called Nesowadwehunk Lake. The Trout Brook Farm could be anywhere on Trout Brook, which runs through Baxter State Park). February 27, Monday: Cold this morning. Started for home about 8 a.m. Ben Emery and Werly(?) came home with us. Stop(p)ed at the dam and tried to fish did not get any could not get a hold through the ice there was so much watter (water) on it. Got to Reed's Camp about 2 p.m., got dinner fed the horses then started for Trout Brook Farm. Got there just after dark. Stayed all night with Mr. Ticely (?). Glad to see him. Feb. 28, Tues.: Cold this morning. Started from Trout Brook Farm half past six a.m. for home. Drove to Shin Pond for dinner. Got there at 3 p.m. got dinner and started home. Got home 11 o'clock. Quite cold found that the children had all been sick with a cold while I was gone. But are getting better. Glad to get home. Feb. 29, Wed.: Was at home till 3 p.m. then to Dunbars after some K oil (kerosene) and groceries. Got home supper time. The children are all some better. Carrie is feeling poorly. She is the worst. It is very cold to night. Fred is gone somewhere. March 1, 1888, Thursday: Cold and windy. Gim Dolly come down and fixed up about the beef. (Settled whatever account they had). After dinner I went and cut the dry trees beside the road for wood. Drew them to the house with the oxen. Chop(p)ed some wood and eat (ate) supper. Had mince pie for supper. The wind still blowing. -/I/- March 2, 1888, Friday: Have been at home all day doing chores in the forenoon. Fred is gone away to go into Wm. Gilchrist camp. Sold the spotted cow to day for thirty dollars. Very windy to day. Wrote to C.K.(?) Lufkin (perhaps Andrew J. or A.J.?) to pay for the plow. Half past eight a.m. going to bed. March 3, Sat.: Did the chores in the morning then went to the Mills. Dolly went with me. Got home 4 p.m. Did the chores and sawed some wood. Fred is gone to Wm. Gilchrist camp. Snowing and blowing. Fred got home 9 p.m. Al(?) Knowles was in today. Mar. 4, Sun.: Have been at home all day have done the chores. We got but one egg today. The wind has blowed all day but is not very cold. Guy Webber is here to night. Fred has been up on the hill to day just got home and eat (ate) supper. Kate got her tub of crabs apples (crab apples?) out of the cubbord (cupboard) to day. (When Fred is up on the hill does that mean this adolescent is courting. Fred was eventually to marry into the Irish family who lived just south of the Grout family, but up on the hill may have referred to the Rand family, who lived just north of the Grouts. Perhaps he was still associating with the many male Rand family members at this time). March 5, Mon.: Went after a load of wood in the morning. Guy Webber stayed here last night. Fred has gone to Patten to carry Alice Morrison to Rives(?) Mitchels. I went to see if I could get Fenilson to help me in the stable. He is coming to morrow. Moderate. Mar. 6, Tues.: Commenced to put in the partitions (partitions) in the stable. Fenilson helped me. Got the stancion sawed and one partition in. Knowles got a half ton of hay for Hurlbert. I went to the Post Office to mail a letter to Ada and a box. Quite warm to day. Hamilton has got Polly (the horse) to go to Matawainkeag. (Mattawamkeag Lake is near by, the village of Mattawamkeag was a littler further south). Mar. 7, Wed.: To work in the stable. Fenilson helping me in the forenoon. Have got five stalls fixed. Have been to work in the hen house some this afternoon. Mr. Hamilton has been to get Polly. Is going to the Point to morrow if it dont storm. Quite warm but cloudy. March 9, 1888, Friday: Finished in the stable today about two p.m. Fenilson did not help me to day. Carried his tools home. Fred has gone to the Post Office. It is quite warm to day. The snow melted some. Kate has washed to day. Katy to Hurlberts to get some molases. March 10, Sat.: Fred and I went to get a load of wood in the forenoon. Then did the chores. Kate and the children have been to Hurlberts this afternoon. I went down this evening and helped get the children home. Got home about half past eight. Very pleasant this evening. Mar. 11, Sun.: Very pleasant to day the snow is melting some. Hamilton sent Polly home in the forenoon. I was doing the chores to the barn when she come. (Did Hamilton turn her lose and she found her way home?) Fred is gone all day. Erl Rand come home with him after supper. H.L. Morgan and wife were here to supper. Mar. 12, Mon.: Went to the Mills in the forenoon got home about 2 p.m. Got a bbl (barrel) of flour and some port and sugar, molasses and tea. I went up to Thorntons to get some potato(e)s. Hagget come here from Patten and wanted to stay all nigh(t). The wind is blowing quite hard not very cold. Mar. 13, Tues.: Have been at home all day. It is snowing and blowing all day hard. I made Carrie a little sled to slide on. Erl Rand, Bert Sleeper come in this evening and Bun (Ben?) Young. 8 p.m. Kate and Katy are washing dishes. Still snowing. Quite warm. Mar. 14, Wed.: Have been at home all day untill evening. Then to Hurlberts stop(p)ed there until 9 p.m. come home and Kate and I played a few games of Authors then got ready for bed at ten o'clock. Very warm to night not freezing much. Mar. 15, Thurs.: Was at home in the forenoon doing chores. Dolly was in. We went and got some wood after dinner. Am 48 years old to day. Very pleasant and warm the sap starts a little. 8 p.m. Kate and Katy are washing dishes. Fred is up on the hill. Got a letter from Ada to day. March 16, Fri.: Have been at home to day doing chores. Fred has been in the camp where Jo Roberts is cooking. Got home after dark. Tom Irish was there to night. I went to the Post Office this afternoon. Got home half past four. Helped Kate fill two(?) straw ticks. (Bedding, mattresses, pillows). March 17, 1888, Saturday: Have been chopping wood to the door to day. (Wood next to the door?) Windy and quite cool. Willard Cox and Erl Rand was in this afternoon. Got the pung to go to the Mills to the camp? sons of Vetrans. Got 15 eggs today. The folks all at home tonight. Cold and windy. Mar. 18, Sun.: Did the chores in the forenoon. Fred helped me do the(m?). I went to the School House to meeting. Mr. Price preached. Porter come home with the pung. Hulda was in just before night. Fred has gone to the Double School House to Meeting. Mar. 19, Mon.: Went to the Mills in the morning to fill out a blank for Pension Certificate for the one lost. Got home after one o'clock. Bert Sleeper was here with True. Cold, very pleasant to day. Kate washed and fixed up the chamber. Fred is up on the hill. (Pension Certificate probably refers to his military disability pension, True is probably 32 year old True Sleeper older brother of Herbert (Bert), who was about 23 years old and the chamber may have been their bedroom or where all their guests stayed) . Mar. 20, Tues.: Have been getting wood to day. Got two loads one this forenoon and one after dinnrer. Tben helped Granville get one load. It is thawing some to day. Looks like rain. The folks have been cleaning house. Half past eight is raining some. Mar. 21, Wed.: Have been at home all day. Have done the chores. Fred went and chop(p)ed wood in the forenoon to Geo Hamilton. It has been raining all the afternoon and the wind is blowing. Erl Rand is just come in and Fred and he has gone down to True Sleepers. Mar. 22, Thurs.; Have been at home all day. Fred and I cleaned out the calf pen in the forenoon. I have been chosen round (meaning to work around at various chores) this afternoon. Finished a sled. True and Bert come in and Fred went on the hill with them. Got home just dark. It is freezing some to night. mar. 23; Fri.: Have been at home today. it is snowing and blowing all day. Lee Gilchrist and Bert Sleeper and Bert Sleeper were in today. Guy Webber come in to night. Fred and he has gone down to Joe Roberts. Kate was down to True Sleepers visiting to day. Got home just before dark. - 17- March 24, 1888, Saturday: Guy Webber stayed here last nigh(t) he and Fred have gone to Hulda's to chop wood. I did the chores and went to Dollys and Rands did not get any money. Sam Gould was here to dinner just getting home from Houlton. Quite cold and windy to day. Mar. 25, Sun.: Very pleasant this morning but quite cold. Half past seven p.m. The folk all at home the girls have gone to bed. Bert Sleeper and Guy Webber were here to supper to day. Fred went up on the hill with them. Has been pleasant all day. Katy and I got some water from the B. (probably the brook) to wash. Mar. 26, Monday: Went to the Mills to town meeting. Flo'nc (Flacans?) Dolly (Flora or Florence?) went out with us. Put the team in Levi's barn (Caldwell?). I came home early Flo rode with me. Fred stayed out got home about dark. Joe Roberts, Dolly and Herman Sleeper were in to night. Mrs. Hurlbert and Addie(?) were in. Mar. 27, Tues.: Was at home in the forenoon. It is snowing and quite warm in the afternoon. Went to True's and Joe Roberts. Eat (ate) supper at Jos. Wm- Leavitt and Frank were into Jos. (Jo's for Joe Roberts). Come home after supper and helped Fred do the chores. Misting tonight and warm. Fred is gone out somewhere. Mar. 28, Wed.: Was at home in the morning. Fred went after a load of wood. Got home about ten in the forenoon. It is raining quite smart. Dolly come down in the evening. Went into True's a little while. Warm and thawing. Fred is gone somewhere. Mar. 29, Thurs.: Still raining hard. I did the chores then up to Dollys. Stayed there to dinner. Jim came home with me. Kate and I went to Thorntons in the evening. It has quit raining and is freezing quite hard. 9 p.m. time to turn in. Mar. 30, Fri.: Started to go to Dennis Warrens to pay for the oxen but not got only down to Knowles. (but did not and only got down to?). Then came back. The cow has got a calf a big fellow. Fred went to Patten after the Doctor for Mrs. Dolly. Got back about noon. Went out to the Post Office did not get any letter. (Patten physician is presumed to be Dr. Bigelow.) Mar. 31, Sat.: Was at home in the forenoon doing chores. After dinner went to the Falls and got the mare shod. Got some Herrin and Crackers. (Herring as in fish and crackers or some brand name snack). Got home just dark. Quite cold to night. Kate has been to True's visitting (visiting). Carrie went with her. Come home after dark. Cloudy.