RARE 1869 School Teacher's Handwritten POST CIVIL WAR DIARY Hamlin Monroe NY

  

This RARE 150 year old diary was written just 3.5 years following the. 1903, daughter of Mary E. She had four siblings, Charles; Rudolph; Albert; Menzo. Ellen lived in the small village of Hamlin, Monroe County, New York. A 1892 census shows she was single & living with her parents and her brother Albert, then later she lived by herself.

She was a school teacher and never married. This diary really is awesome!

Writes so many details of her daily life. Her entries bring the reader right back to 1869! Perhaps one of the best ways to describe a diary is by taking a few excerpts from it. News Year's and a stormy one indeed.

B & myself, Albert & Alice got home from the Creek about noon. We had a just old splendid party.

A & B stay all night... In school as usual & feel dull as a brick. Myron came over over this morning & has been sailing by quite a considerable. Came to school just as it was out, went back up to Charley's & staid the evening, played Eucre & I got so mad at My. That I could hardly speak, don't think he is much of a gentleman.... Menzo came home to night. Albert hitched up & we all went down where the singing school was but didn't find it.

Banker's then up to see Charlie. Find him about the same but pretty sick, hear that Aunt Cyntha is very bad off but did not see her.... Heard to night that Clara Ferris is sick with Typhoid fever. Snowed so hard all day that one could not see across the street - Albert took Sarah & I down to school, no scholars, and we came back - Sarah & I played Eucre all the afternoon.

Howard came home with Albert to stay all night. Played Eucre, Dominoes & checkers until 11 o'clock - had a great time generally.... I came up to Mr. Kenyon's after school, but felt more like going home and going to bed for my head aches dreadfully.

But a teacher has to do a great many times against their own feelings & wishes. Had some very good music in the evening, retired about 10 o'clock but not to sleep for a long time.... Had an offer of a school today, don't know whether I shall except or not.... Freddy & I went down to the creek this afternoon, had a pleasant walk, killed the first snake I have seen this spring.... I have been sewing all day, finished my dress this evening - Maggie's father brought word that they wanted me to commence school a week from next Monday.... Commenced school again which seems quite natural, had 23 scholars which was a very good beginning. Liked it very much today, hope I shall keep on doing the same. Came down to Uncle George's to night. One of the scholars brought me a nice bouquet of wild flowers.... Horace Payne buried to day. It does not seem possible that he can be dead.... Charley & Nick came up about noon & staid until night, & soon as they were gone, I went across the road to sit up with the sick baby. Mother came over & sent me home at ten o'clock, the child still alive....

We are having some music to night across the road, a drumming school & at 10 o'clock, they drumming still.... Mother no better today, Father went after the Dr. I did not go in school today. Churned for three mortal hours this forenoon & then had to give it up at last without any butter.

Commenced washing after dinner & to night I feel as if I didn't care whether school kept or not.... Came home, found Mother worse, has had the Dr again. Don't think it is my duty to teach if I have got the work I do.... Saw uncle George this morning & told him I could not go back to school, he thinks I had better have another vacation & then will wait for me. I think they will have a good time waiting....

Father is 58 years old today, is getting to be quite an old man.... Freddy is quite sick to night. Heard the store at the Center nearly burned down to day. Henry Bassett died last night.... Mother went down to see Mr Elliott.

They started with him to the Asylum. It seems to bad but I suppose it is for the best.... Albert & I went down to John Elliott's, had a great time, one of the dances you read about but seldom see, got home 2 o'clock.... And tus ends 1869 & what have I accomplished?

Have I been of any use in the world or done any one good? If so, it is well. If not, the time is gone just the same, never to return, & what may be in store for us all in the year to come? God grant it may be more of pleasure than of pain. This awesome diary has 365 d.

Aily entries, and it measures 2.5" x 3.75". In the back pocket of the diary are two raffle tickets two "Sperry & Hutchinson, New York City" trading stamps George Storers' calling card newspaper clipping (remedy) and an interesting handwritten recipe for "Packing Beef". Unusual diary, fits loose inside another cover with multiple compartments. No loose or missing pages. Tough to find complete diaries of this age written by a young school teacher.

The item "RARE 1869 School Teacher's Handwritten POST CIVIL WAR DIARY Hamlin Monroe NY" is in sale since Wednesday, November 20, 2019. This item is in the category "Books\Antiquarian & Collectible". The seller is "bubbasmomm" and is located in Holland, Michigan. This item can be shipped to United States.

• Year Printed: 1869
• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
• Topic: Diaries & Correspondence
• Binding: Softcover, Wraps
• Region: North America
• Author: Mary E. (Devendorf) Storer
• Subject: Americana
• Original/Facsimile: Original
• Language: English
• Place of Publication: Hamlin, Monroe County, New York
• Special Attributes: 1st Edition