----- Original Message ----- From: Kim & Mike Paul To: [email protected] Cc: [email protected] Sent: Monday, February 09, 2004 12:59 AM Subject: [FOLKS] Phoebe's 1857 Diary - Pt. 3 Wednesday, February 17 Sewed in the morning. Called on Outwater's. Where to ask for a chance for Mother to go to Charlotte. About 20 at our house, a good time, but not as yesterday. The girls would not do what they know to be their duty. We felt good on their account, oh that the Lord would enable them to come out and be separated from the world. Mother went to Charlotte. Thursday, February 18 Thursday. Albert and Fitzer took down 8 girls to the one oclock prayer meeting at Charlotte. We had a good time. Mary (Maggie?) Fish and Alice spoke. I took tea at B. Barbor's. 6 of the children sick, came with him to the school house. Had a good time. I spoke because I was happy and could not be still. Albert and Philip spoke, I never knew them to feel it. Friday, February 19 A very cold day. No mail though. I sewed upon my black velvet. In the evening I wrote a composition on influence. I feel at peace but the evil one is on hand to tell me that because I do not feel quite as much in prayer at some times that I am not forgiven, that religion in my heart is only a fancy, but I know better, still I wish I had brighter evidence of any acceptance with God. Saturday, February 22 *Note- I did not correct the dates of the entries, I left them as they were, K* Went to Lockport. Mary A. Fish at home, went with her to meeting, had a good time. Our boys felt well. James Barbor means to seek religion. At Mrs. Outwater's all the girls have the cross, I pray earnestly that they may be whole hearted Christians. I do not feel as I wish I did. Sunday, February 23 Went to Charlotte with Mrs. Ransom, tried hard for subscribers but did not make out much. About 150 staid for class meeting at the school house in the evening. Mary Fish united with the church, a good feeling. Albert came home with me and sat about an hour. William, Father staid all night. Monday, February 23 Monday. I made my new hood. At John Whitingtons. Mr. Staats here to dinner. I put the horse in the cutter and Mother and I called on Mrs. J. Moore and took her some yarn. Mr. Anderson and Mrs. Kimberly H. At night the boys took a load to Charlotte and Mother. Not so good a time as the last. Tuesday, February 25 Sewed most of the day. In the evening I went with Albert to East Wilson. The members are very cold, but we were enabled to work with faith. It was a beautiful night, though cold. We enjoyed the ride. The Lord was with us, I felt it was good to see the Lord there. There were eight forward for prayers. Wednesday, February 26 Sewed upon my black waist. Called upon S. to ask them to go to meeting at night, a load of ten went. I told Albert that I was not free. Elisa Fish converted, Elisa, Mary, Alice spoke. I never heard Father Pray or speak so much. My mind was at peace. **Phoebe's father, Rev. Enoch Williams, was a Methodist Episcopal Circuit Rider Preacher. He had the Newfane curcuit. K** Thursday, February 27 Finished my black waist. Phoebe A. Barbor, my namesake, went to glory. I trust I may meet her there. I went to see her at night. Cut out some collars and then back to prayer meeting. The Spirit was there and we felt it good to wait on the Lord. Mary and Alice spoke, feeling that God has blessed me all the while and that he put the words in my mouth. Friday, February 28 I went to Phoebe Barbor's funeral, Henry and Hattie came. Henry took Mother to see Dr. Cresswell. I had a letter from H.L.J. **Henry L. Johnson, her beau, the other Henry is one of her brothers. K** It was the best for months, it is some satisfaction to know that he clears me from all blame or coolness. I wrote to Him, but did not finish. Saturday, February 27 Prepared the parlor for us to sit in at night. Went to make flowers. I went to the school house in the evening but few there. Fitzer took me home. I took a part but it was a heavy cross on account of what the boys said. I fear I feel they laugh too much. It is very muddy. Henry made up his mind to stay till Monday. Sunday, February 28 It stormed hard. Hatty, Henry and self went to Charlotte, it was better to come back. Mrs. Mary Baxter and Sovina Sherman paid for their papers. Albert spent the afternoon and evening with us, we spent it profitably. He feels that he is with his friends when he is with us. Monday, March 1 Very stormy, but I washed but did not hang out. Henry made a start for home but came back. Eleanor, Alice, Robbert, Margaret, George, Henry, Mary J. B., William, Martha and Mary Jane spent the evening with us as we closed for prayer, had a good time think all were pleased. I prayed at prayer this evening with all that were present this evening. Knelt. Tuesday, March 2 Rinsed up the clothes, but could not put them out of doors, sewed and made flowers. Henry went home. Mary Jane and Hattie and self went to Beebes to visit, had a good time. Wednesday, March 3 Cooked for Friday and donation. Called on Mrs. W. Leamon. Took Mother for donation. At last, they were not over civil on the whole as it was very cold and snowed and we could not get no one to get to our house. We felt much disappointed. Two more days and I shall have entered on my long dreaded year. If Henry could put off our marriage year, I think I should be happy. Thursday, March 4 Dried the clothes. Mother called upon the sick all day, very cold, the coldest yet. Went to prayer meeting, very dull. 9 years tonight since I first spoke in meeting. How little have I grown in grace all that time. I am but a babe in Christ, still I feel I grew. Sunday, March 7 Went to Charlotte with Mr. Barbor, back with Mr. Wilson. Albert called, we went with Mother to meeting. Philip took Hattie. Brother Staats came back with us, we had a good class meeting though there was not many out. Tuesday, March 9 Henry came with Miss Jones for Hatty. I called on Mrs. W. Leamon and John Whitington. Sewed on the shirts, no letter from Father. My mind is happy, I feel that is good to serve the Lord. I want to be wholy is, I feel very anxious for Margaret, if she would give up and serve the Lord. Wednesday, March 10 Mended my dress and did several other jobs, dried the clothes. The boys drawing straws from Mr. Gifford's, to take to go to East Wilson, so Albert staid the evening. We finished the shirts. Thursday, March 11 Went to prayer meeting, afterwards went with Margaret to S. Decher's to see the babe. It died at midnight. I lit up the school house. Ironed and did up Alberts shirt. Not many at prayer meeting, but the Lord was there. I am very happy in the work and think I never was so woefull but oh, this cloud that so oppresses. Friday, March 12 Friday. I sewed and at night, Margaret and self went to East Wilson along and I staid at her Father's to sleep, she thinks she is forgiven to God, be the Glory, I hope she will Believe more fully that she is, we had a good time. Though a hard walk, we where home by 10. Saturday, March 13 I was home to eat breakfast. Albert called for his things. Mother and Philip went to William Decher's funeral. It thawed fast. I patched my first shoe. My mind anything but at rest. I want to hear from Father and to know if Henry will go to Lima, but I try to cast my burden on the Lord, knowing that he will work all things for the good of those who trust in him, which I try to do. Sunday, March 14 A miserable day, all mud or water. Margaret called and Albert, and it was so muddy, he did not go to East Wilson or the school house. We had a very pleasant time, he felt he had to leave us and we to have him go, but it is for his good and the Church. Monday, March 15 Raining and thawing. The snow most gone. I washed, but did not hang out the clothes. Fitzer cannot decide what to do this summer. I mended my red quilt and in the evening wrote to Henry so that I shall have one ready to send as soon as I hear from him. The more I think of it, the more I feel that he must go to Lima. He is 24 today. Poor fellow, 2 years ago he was here. I do long to hear from him. Tuesday, March 16 This morning at 4 oclock, A. Outwater came for Mother, his wife was very sick. Fitzer went for Dr. Raymond. I altered Mother's light delance dress. Still thawing. Wednesday, March 17 Mother and Fanny went to Mr. Barbor's, he very sick. The mud very deep. I papered up my room and put it tidy, but did not sort my things, or take things from other rooms. Tomorrow is prayer meeting, what shall we do for a leader, I fear much for the lambs of the flock. Thursday, March 18 Today I hung out the clothes, got them dryed, sorted, and b(?) 48 of Mother's. I find I have letters from 32. Mr. J. Alberdy and Mr. Clark took dinner. Fitzer went with them to Mr. Solnance. Margaret Leman took tea, I went home with her. Sam Decher took us to watch his girl. To muddy for meeting. Friday, March 19 I ironed in the forenoon. In the afternoon, to the school house, it was the first day of school, home with some letters, back again, then to C. Snick(?) had a long talk with Mary Jane and her Mother on religion, then to the post office, talked with Theodore, then to see Mrs. Titus and went with her to call on Mrs. Thomas. The general mind of the girl is serious, we both thought of having our own meeting. Saturday, March 20 Huled some wheat, it was good. Finished my room and cleaned the other rooms. W.J. Robb came to see me, had a pleasant time. H. Decher is better. Mrs. O'Hara is very alone. Mrs. Ransom walked to Mrs. O'Hara's. I finished the ironing. Sunday, March 21 Called on Mrs. Bowen and Mrs. McKnight. Talked with them on the subject of religion. Went to the school house, not many out. We appear to be running down, I enjoyed. My mind at class still I feel discouraged. I have tried to pray that my heart may be full of love to God so that I may speak with the spirit and the understanding also to the girls on Tuesday. Monday, March 22 I washed and ironed and cleaned up the back room and did some sewing, everything moved out of sight. The boys went fishing and Mother calling. Tuesday, March 23 The day was pleasant. I went with A. Outwater to Lockport to see if I could get work. Spent the day with Mrs. Blair, her daughter gave me a pair of pickled dish glass. Mr. H. was at our house. I called on Mrs. Decher, Hatty, was better, and on Mr. O'Hara's, had a good time, then to meeting at the school house and watched at Mrs. Decher's.