Dear Folks: I'm sorry for the break in posting Phoebe's second diary, but I had a long evening at work yesterday, and I was pretty tired, I didn't even check my email! At any rate, I'm back at it again, and just posted Part 3 of Phoebe's 1860 diary. I just had to let you know I hear my first robin on Monday, as I was taking Sassy out for a walk. Yesterday, we had a high temperature of 75 degrees, that sure got everyone in the mood for spring. People were in shorts and tee shirts, but I sure wasn't that brave yet! I have to admit, I was pretty tempted to turn on the AC in my car, but instead rolled down the windows. So you know Spring is not too far away! Kim

Tuesday, May 1 Picking the mattress of my bed and sewed some. A rainy day. Wednesday, May 2 Finished my chemise and put it out to-----. Still raining. Made some pillow slips. A man died in the SF bank bust up. Thursday, May 3 Blank. Friday, May 4 Blank. [My note: It appears at this point, that a page of the diary is tore out. There are no more entries until May 12.] Saturday, May 12 At Mrs. Angell's. her hoop skirt. A general good time but some things unpleasant. Sunday, May 13 Called on Mrs. Starr, but feel vexed at the state of things. At the aniversary a good time. Staid over at Mrs. Penfield's. Monday, May 14 Come home. A wet day. Brought some plants. Found plenty of work. Tuesday, May 15 Hemming handkerchiefs. Rainy and bad. Our garden prospers. Wednesday, May 16 Cold and rainy. Making sheets and pillow slips. Thinking of home and of I shall even see Mother again. Thursday, May 17 Cold and wet. Father came and says we shall have help. Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits, I hope. Friday, May 18 Vow I shall see Mother in the fall. I am thankfull. The Miss Davie's called. Father took away his flowers. Made pillow slips. Saturday, May 19 Henry has been married 4 years today. How things have altered. Where is the one I loved above all others. I neither know or care now, that is past and trust I am the wiser. Sunday, May 20 At Sunday School. Went to see Rebeckah. At prayer meeting in the evening. Monday, May 21 Mrs. Drew quite unwell. I went to teacher's meeting but came away at nine. Tuesday, May 22 Sewed all day but Mrs. Drew was worse. I guess she will have sill--- Fever. She took pills. Wednesday, May 23 Mrs. Drew much worse. Took an em---. Sewing all I could on sheets and pillow slips. Thursday, May 24 Mrs. Drew very sick with chills. Making sheets and pillow slips. Friday, May 25 Mrs. Drew very sick. Fear it will turn into Typhus. Nursing her and sewing. Saturday, May 26 A rainy day. Father came. I went out in the evening and was wet through. A letter from Lucy. Mrs. Drew better. Sunday, May 27 A wet day. Did not go out because of Mrs. Drew was so sick. So I wrote to Mother, Father, Lucy, Miss Angell and Cousin Fanny. Monday, May 28 Mrs. Drew the same. Mended some ticks and general sewing. Tuesday, May 29 Mrs. Drew much better. Mrs. Molton Drew here. Hemming handkerchiefs. A beautifull day. The peonys in bloom. Wednesday, May 30 Sewing on sheets all day and pillow slips. Thursday, May 31 Father came. We went up shore. I got Mother's bonnet. Friday, June 1 More men have come and yet the Govenor has not sent me any more nu---. Father is gone home. Saturday, June 2 Sewing all day. Repainted my drawers. Distributed the papers. Sunday, June 3 At Sunday School. Twice at church and in the afternoon at the hospital. Monday, June 4 I have made up all the muslin in the house. Called on Mrs. Crosley. Tuesday, June 5 Over 40 handkerchiefs in other mending. Wednesday, June 6 Went for Mrs. Drew's dress. Sewed all day. Thursday, June 7 Hemming handkerchiefs. Went to the flourist but he was shut up for the night. Friday, June 8 Mrs. Drew worse. Very busy shall get all I need done. Saturday, June 9 I went to N.Y. with three of the girls. Exchanged my skirt. Came home in the Flora. Monday, June 11 Mrs. Drew better. A great deal of mending come in. Tuesday, June 12 Mrs. Gaskill came. I went up shore, carried my rags. Wednesday, June 13 Mrs. Penfield here with Lena and Miss Lucas. Only a call but I am glad. [Note: June 14 through June 18 are blank.] Tuesday, June 19 Mrs. Drew, Joseph and the girls started for Greenwood, but came back. Wednesday, June 20 Well do I remember. The Lord is with me still. The family went to Greenwood but it rained again. Thursday, June 21 Mrs. Gaskill went for Mrs. Drew. To N.Y. Friday, June 22 Mrs. Drew came home. Saturday, June 23 Blank. Sunday, June 24 Father and Mother's wedding day. They have been married 37 years I think. Monday, June 25 Blank. [Note: There were no entries from June 25 to July 3.]

Good Morning Kim, Vee and List: With each cause of death I have found with my ancestors, I find myself running to the dictionary. Old illnesses have new names today. Bacteria ran amoke back then. I descend from mostly farm folks. They simple ate what was raised on the farm. Prior to the Civil War sanitization was unheard of. I guess if you had a better immune system you made it, if not you died. I was surprised by the fact that my Mom and I have the same thryoid disorder as her grandfather. The only difference is we have access to Vitamin B today. Grandpa Myers didn't back then, so he simply died in 1911. I remember my Gram as emotional until the day she died about her 14 year old brother that drown. Much the same as we would feel. I have found causes of deaths in infants as marasmus. My trusty dictionary tells me that it was lack of nutrition. Today we would call it child neglect, but back then they didn't know anything different. They fed the children with what was there. So, how lucky we are today for modern medicine and technology! I think Phebe would be pleased that we can share her life and hardships! Jane in FL

MaryAnn: I hit the send button, when I meant to hit the cut button, oh well, it is late at night, 1:20 am to be specific. Anyway, in answer to your question, I don't know why Phoebe was ill so much. I suspect a lot of it might be nerves, and I think she might have been a very emotional girl. Kim Why is Phoebe ill?? She seems to be alot. ~ MaryAnn

----- Original Message ----- From: "michael and maryann" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2004 11:08 PM Subject: Re: [FOLKS] Re:Phoebe's diaries > Why is Phoebe ill?? She seems to be alot. ~ MaryAnn > >

Regarding undemonstrative mothers, it was also considered bad form to be emotional in front of other people. You simply did not hug or kiss or cry when others were present. I am not sure that this applied to all ethnic groups but it did to many. I find that people today are much more outgoing with their affections than they were when I was young. And it is certainly seems more appropriate and much appreciated. I must add within limits of course. Barbara

Thursday, March 1 Sewing all day. It is fine weather and I am happy in mind and rejoycing in hope. I think I have shaken off all------. And I am determined to be happy and make others. Friday, March 2 Took the paper to Mrs. Heath's. I think I have turned one more corner of my life time will prove. Edwin Ashton's and F. Cleaveland's birthdays. Saturday, March 3 Mended my light quilt. Cleaned my room and put on the white quilt. Had the clothes washed and the mending. Sunday, March 4 Sunday. Took the sacrament with thankfullness. At church twice, Bible class and prayer meeting. 11 years tonight since I first spoke in a meeting. Monday, March 5 I am 26 today, God bless my Mother. I thank God for the mercies of last year, and for the future. My mercies have been great and I would give God thanks. I spent the evening with Mrs. Heath. Tuesday, March 6 Stitched a pair of wristbands and other sewing. Went to church. Called on Mrs. C. Bought 8 yards of delain and a shuttle. We walked and beat the boat from the dock. Wednesday, March 7 Made a chicken [hard to read] for the hospital. Stitched a pair of wristbands. Went to the Governor's for my pay. Made two pillow slips and worked one handkerchief, a wet day. Thursday, March 8 Sewed quilt all day. How I think of last year. Would to God I loved him more. How often March has been to me unhappy. Friday, March 9 Ironed up my things. Finished mending and took the peices to the boxes. Saturday, March 10 Cleaned up my room and [illegible here] my light quilt. Sunday, March 11 At Bible class, church and class meeting, singing school and prayer meeting. Monday, March 12 Mrs. E.M. Drew here. A windy day. Sewing on quilts. Tuesday, March 13 About pillow slips and sheets. I like my work better than I ever thought I could. Wednesday, March 14 Mending all day. Went with Mrs. Drew to church. A beautifull night, and a good sermon, only a few out. Thursday, March 15 Tore the skirts of my delain and calicoe dress. Joseph at home. Henry Johnson's birthday. Thank God I am not his wife. **Note this entry-Phoebe mentions she thanks God she is not his wife. K.** Friday, March 16 Took around the papers. Ironed. Put the clothes in the boxes and mended. Saturday, March 17 Glory to God for this day. One year I am safe and take fresh courage for the rest of life. Called on Mrs. Heath. A heavy fog. I quilted today. Sunday, March 18 At Factoryville all day. Took the sacrament. At Mrs. Blacke's, she will be 90 this week. A good prayer meeting in the evening. Monday, March 19 Sewed and in the evening scalloped for Mrs. Drew while she ran the width of my calicoe dress. Tuesday, March 20 Mrs. Drew at the city. I finished my short sheets, and find my sh----- will stain. Wednesday, March 21 Mrs. Drew came back. I went in the evening to church with her. Thursday, March 22 Sewing hard. Set the tablecloths but they were done. Friday, March 23 Mrs. Drew at church. Father came. Did my usual for Friday. Saturday, March 24 Father went back. Mrs. Ingram paid me 56 cents. Sunday, March 25 At church all day. Prayer meeting at night. Monday, March 26 Mending. Washed out my things and fussed with my shawl. Put Mrs. Drew's quilt on the frame. Tuesday, March 27 Started for love feast but could get no one to go with me so came back. Wednesday, March 28 Went to Mrs. Bogart for Mrs. Drew. Agnies Cotter discharged. Thursday, March 29 One year ago Mrs. called and decided in my favor. Six years ago I left home for Wisconsin. Went to class with Mrs. McMain. Friday, March 30 Mrs. Drew at church. Cut out her waist; mended and put the things in the boxes. Ironed. Saturday, March 31 Six years ago I arrived in Wisconsin. And one year ago-God has been good to me. Sunday, April 1 Rebeckah went with me to church all day, Sacrament. I spoke to---. Went to Mr. Livingston. Monday, April 2 Mended some. Cut out my dress and went up shore for sisters for Joseph who is sick. Tuesday, April 3 Distrbuted my papers. Sewed on my green dress and mended table cloths. Wednesday, April 4 Joseph quite sick. Sheats and pillow slips making today. Thursday, April 5 How I think of last year. God has been good to me. Friday, April 6 The girls all at church. I got dinner. Joseph better. We gardened some. Went up shore so Mrs. W. to take the dress Mrs. Drew gave. Saturday, April 7 Finished my dress. Cleaned my room and cut out Mrs. Drew's calicoe dress. Sunday, April 8 Easter. Very few at church. Mr. Devon preached. Called on Rebeckah. At prayer meeting. Monday, April 9 A bad day. How I think of other things. Tuesday, April 10 Mrs. Drew got some roots. Our garden is a pleasure to both. Wednesday, April 11 How I wish I could here from home and the other members of the family. Thursday, April 12 Father called on Joseph Drew. Says he has some prospects next week. Friday, April 13 Ironed and prepared for going to N.Y. Saturday, April 14 At N.Y. Bought my peice of f----. Mrs. Wilken's here at the Home. Saw Father. Sunday, April 15 Mr. Freeman preached his first sermon. Ann North left. A new girl came. Monday, April 16 A wet bad day. Sewing. Tuesday, April 17 Making pillow slips all day. I do not forget one year ago. Thank God for Mercies. Wednesday, April 18 Went to the Dr. got some more powder. Sewing. Thursday, April 19 The boiler is taken away to be serviced. Sewing all day. Friay, April 20 Mending. Ironed. A fuss about the new girl. Saturday, April 21 Trimming my bonnet. Mrs. Drew had company. M. with the Governor about. Sunday, April 22 Up shore to church twice. John Morgan. I guess I shall have a C so given me. Monday, April 23 Cleaning house. Mrs. Drew's and Joseph's room. Tuesday, April 24 Cleaned my room and went in the evening to see the M-- was done. Wednesday, April 25 Mended and began my chemeses. A fuss with the Governor. Thursday, April 26 Making straw bed ticks. Friday, April 27 Went with Mrs. D. to N.Y. A very pleasant time. I shall long remember the 27th and think of it as one of the bright spots of happy days with dear Mother. Would I wish I were with her. But thy will of Lord be done. Saturday, April 28 I have a class given. Went to the hospital. John Clark here. Went to prayer meeting. Sunday, April 29 Father put down the store carpet nicely and went down to New Brighton in the evening. Monday, April 30 Sewing on pillow slips. Helped the girls hang out clothes. It is a two weeks wash. Called on Mrs. Heath in the evening. Got some eggs.

Vee: Thank you for all the info, and the names of the people to contact. I do have all the diaries on CD, but on the 1857 diary, I was new to scanning, and I had the resolution pretty high, and the images took up a lot of disk space, in fact, I had to use 3 CD's. Since then, I've learned to lower the resolution when scanning. I also have the trascripts of each diary on each CD as well in a separate folder on my hard drive. I used Word 11 to type out the transcripts, but on each diary, I used a different typeface or font style. I don't know if that would make a difference or not. I found I like to experiment with different fonts. At any rate, you gave me much to go on. Thanks, Vee! Kim Kim

I didn't mean that they didn't care about the babies. They were more self contained, it was part of their upbringing. It wasn't acceptable for them to show a lot of emotion. I've read some things that tell me that there were women who actually went crazy from grief, at the loss of their child. I didn't express what I meant very well. The thing that I was trying to get at, was that it wasn't unusual for babies to die. Today, if a baby dies, it's rare and very shocking. People back then didn't react with that same shock and dismay, because it wasn't something they weren't expecting. Anytime a baby got sick back then, there was very little they could do. One of my aunts died at a year old from diptheria. My father was about 10 at the time. He said he watched from the doorway as the doctor tried to save her by doing a trachiotomy on the dining room table. I can't even imagine what it took for my grandmother to stand there while a doctor did that. But she had 11 children, and lost two of them. Compared to other families back then, she was actually lucky, to only lose two. My gr-grandmother on the other side only had three, and one died at a year old. I just imagine they had to harden themselves against death. Not only did the children die, but there were so many things that could kill adults. As Phoebe shows when she is ill. Kathy (snow)

Dear Vee: Phoebe is my gg grandmother on my fathers side. Her husband, whom she married in 1875, Daniel Clickner is my direct descendant. While I have never met her, I feel as if I do know her personally from reading her diaries. The 1857 diary was given to me by my great Aunt LaNita Clickner when I was in high school, and at that time, I had no idea what I had. Just recently, about two years ago, my mom was cleaning out her garage, and she noticed the boxes of family history things, and she knew I'd be interested in them since I was just starting to research our family. Mom mailed everything to me, needless to say the postage was expensive. Mom asked me what I wanted for Christmas, and I said those boxes of family treasures! She asked me, "Are you sure that's all you want?" And I say "Yes, I don't need anything else!" Needless to say, I was like a kid at Christmas! Well, it looks like I got off the beaten track. Back to Phoebe's family. Daniel Clickner came from the Town of Pendleton, and before that in Brunswick, Rennselaer, Co, N.Y. I did forget to mention Phoebe's adopted sister, Fanny. We don't know much about her, except she was mentioned in Phoebe's father's will. We don't even know how Fanny came to be with the family. Fanny eventually married someone with the last name of Barker. Some of the other neighbor's I remember are a Mrs. Sherman, Mr. & Mrs. Whitington. I took a look at the 1860 census at HeritageQuest, and I found that Phoebe was living in Castleton, in Richmond County at the time when Phoebe wrote her 1860 diary. Why she went there, I don't have a clue, but maybe we'll find out later in her diary. Maybe this is the "long dreaded year" she was referring to! Kim

Re: Phoebies' diaries. If one has saved them to their computer they would be easy to put in a form to be printed. It would take some editing which is no problem. Then save to a CD and print/publish away. Do worry about copyrighting though. If anyone has saved them and would like to send them to me I will work on them but it will take awhile. Bob AZ

I just had to respond to "Snow's" message below as follows: > >>>It would seem that Phobe accepted the infant deaths as a common > occurrance. Something we would view as unthinkable today.<<< > > I've been on various genealogy lists for about 5 years, now. One thing I > see on almost all of them, time after time, is the question, "Why were they so > cold and undemonstrative?" Usually speaking of grandparents, sometimes > parents. My sister has asked me the same question. One of my grandmothers lost two > children under the age of 1, the other lost a little sister, about a year old, > when she was 13. If you knew that the chances were 50/50 that you were going > to lose each child, how much of yourself could you invest in that child? "Snow" I know I really know your name but I just can't remember it right now. I apologize. Over MANY years of personal genealogical research I've followed the number of infant deaths of my ancestors and those of their brothers and sister's families. And with each death of the infant my heart went out to the parents who had just lost a baby or a toddler. Although they may have appeared cold and undemonstrative IN PUBLIC, I know of no diaries where a mother or father wrote down her/his true feelings of horrible grief over the loss. No doubt the whole community suffered along with them in their loss but it was rarely spoken of in public, only in private. Regarding your last comment, "If you knew that the chances were 50/50 that you were going to lose each child, how much of yourself could you invest in that child?" I think I might be able to answer that question. Every single baby was precious and loved unconditionally. Yes the parents knew what the overall odds were of every child growing to maturity but they were willing to gamble on those odds and hope and pray that that child would beat the odds. Some babies didn't beat the odds but more babies did. Hopefully that might answer your question. vee

Dear Kim, Thanks for pointing out the individuals inPhoebe's family and neighbors to us. But I seem to recall that you have a very personal relationship to her and/or her family. Please refresh my mind. vee ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kim & Mike Paul" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2004 2:10 PM Subject: [FOLKS] Phoebe's Family > Dear Evelyn: > > In answer to your question, and I'm sure it would help everyone else to understand who's who, I'm going to list all of Phoebe's family as well as some of the neighbors. They are as follows: > > Rev. Enoch Williams > Mary Hooper > > They are Phoebe's parents. > > Phoebe's brothers and sisters: > > Lucy Williams Ashton m. Thomas Edwin Ashton > Mary Williams Sherrill m. Rev. Franklin G. Sherrill > William Fitzer Williams m. Alice M. Southwick > Philip Samuel Williams m. Francelia Avery > Henry Prier Williams m. Harriet Harrington > Enoch Edwin Williams m. Hester Bush > Phoebe Ann Williams m. Daniel Edgar Clickner > > Some of the neighbors: > > Elenor O'Hara, Mrs. Outwater, Mrs. Ransom, Elisa Fish. > Henry L. Johnson-the boy who stood Phoebe up! > > If I think of anybody else I will let you all know. > > Kim > >

Why is Phoebe ill?? She seems to be alot. ~ MaryAnn

Regarding Kim's message that follows: > Vee, & Jo: > > You gave me much to think on, who would I get in touch with? Since I live here in Nebraska, > I could probably mail the transcripts to somebody. I didn't realize that the diaries would have so much local impact, but because the diaries are so personal, a glimpse of the life of the person who wrote them, would make the local history more alive, if that makes any sense! Kim, that makes all the sense in the world, trust me! Now first of all regarding the Town of Wilson Historian, I have his email address but I really don't know him (he's new) or just what his interest is in local history to the degree of receiving transcripts of old diaries but you might want to let him know that you are willing to share Phoebe's diary with him via email attachment or by snail mail. He is Charles F. Horton, [email protected] Now there's also the Town of Newfane Historian, Judson Heck who has been the historian like forever, but from what I understand he hasn't upgraded his manual typewriter to even an electric typewriter. However, I can give you his maillng address. My best suggestion for you would be to contact the Niagara County Genealogical Society at [email protected] and let them know what you have transcribed and ask them it the society would be interested. (Isn't that right, Elaine Timm??). Kim, your transcriptions are what makes local history come alive and very personal, not just merely names and dates. vee

Mary Ann had commented: >I feel so bad she worked so hard, got her pay, then her [sewing] machine broke! What surprised me was the fact that in 1860 sewing machines had actually been invented by then and were available to the ordinary woman. (Note: I haven't checked out the subject yet on Google!) But the more I read about what Phoebe was sewing up and mending makes it rather clear to me that she worked in a hospital or what might have been called the Poor House at the time and it was her job to keep the linens in good order. Not a very creative task considering her sewing abilities back home. But what a hard worker she was. Dear Phoebe. vee

Don't forget the Library of Congress when you send these along. People doing academic research, others writing historical novels or historical fiction, etc. glean these for reference. Families may discover them in years to come and be delighted to find their ancestor was so well regarded to have been saved from the trash bin. Smiles, Anna ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kim & Mike Paul" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2004 12:58 AM Subject: Re: [FOLKS] Phoebe's Diaries > Vee, & Jo: > > You gave me much to think on, who would I get in touch with? Since I live here in Nebraska, > I could probably mail the transcripts to somebody. I didn't realize that the diaries would have so much local impact, but because the diaries are so personal, a glimpse of the life of the person who wrote them, would make the local history more alive, if that makes any sense! > > Kim > >

>>>It would seem that Phobe accepted the infant deaths as a common occurrance. Something we would view as unthinkable today.<<< I've been on various genealogy lists for about 5 years, now. One thing I see on almost all of them, time after time, is the question, "Why were they so cold and undemonstrative?" Usually speaking of grandparents, sometimes parents. My sister has asked me the same question. One of my grandmothers lost two children under the age of 1, the other lost a little sister, about a year old, when she was 13. If you knew that the chances were 50/50 that you were going to lose each child, how much of yourself could you invest in that child?

Kim, I think Vee would be the person to answer this question. Here in Michigan, we have a Library of Michigan located in Lansing which has historical records from all over the state. In the Library of Michigan is a diary of a long ago relative of mine (daughter of my ggg grandfather) written about 1837 about the daily life as it was for her then....Similar to Phoebe's. It may be that there is such a Library in Niagara County. Maybe Lockport. Vee will probably know. I think it's important enough to have it there as a record. Jo in Michigan ----- Original Message ----- From: "Kim & Mike Paul" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2004 1:58 AM Subject: Re: [FOLKS] Phoebe's Diaries > Vee, & Jo: > > You gave me much to think on, who would I get in touch with? Since I live here in Nebraska, > I could probably mail the transcripts to somebody. I didn't realize that the diaries would have so much local impact, but because the diaries are so personal, a glimpse of the life of the person who wrote them, would make the local history more alive, if that makes any sense! > > Kim > >

Kim, Thank you for sending no. 1 and 2. I really appreciate your taking the time. Please keep the diaries coming. It is so very interesting to read. I will be sending copies off to my 4 daughters. I think they will enjoy them also. thanks again, pat scott in lower michigan ----- Original Message ----- From: "Pat Scott" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, February 17, 2004 10:13 AM Subject: Fw: [FOLKS] Phoebe's Dairies > I thought I saved all the first set of Phoebe's dairies and in sorting them > today I find I am missing no.1 and 2 . Would someone on this list have the > time to forward them to me. I would like to have my daughters read > them.....Thanks in advance.....pat scott in lower michigan > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "Kim & Mike Paul" <[email protected]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Monday, February 16, 2004 6:05 PM > Subject: Re: [FOLKS] Phoebe's Dairies > > > > Dear Vee: > > > > I guess I don't, I'm just overwhelmed at the interest of the diaries! I'm > just happy that everyone is enjoying Phoebe's diaries. > > > > > >