The Secrest (Secrist) family is mentioned several times in the diary of Mary Leever Wainright, who lived in Miami Township during the 1850s. So far in transcribing 1853 and 1854 years of the diary I have found mention of John M. Secrest, his daughter and his brother Henry. Here are excerpts of several diary entries, which mention the Secrests' location: ____________ Saturday (June) 4th (1853) A beautiful morning. Robert called this morning, took Ruth to Batavia. Ann called. Mr Hughes called / C G Megrue called and wished to know arrangement about going to Milford Lodge tonight. Lucius is going to his grandpas on the Buss. Bob and Ruth called and I went home with them and when we arrived we met with Uncle Winters the first time for twelve years. We also met with Mrs Secrest (Secrist) from Troy. Mr Wainright went to Milford Lodge. ____________________________ Wednesday (June) 8th (1853) Cool and pleasant this morning. Mrs Secrest and her Mother got on the Buss for the city. I have been churning and putting away the butter. I heard Joseph Gest and Mary Lewis were married last night. Lucius is ten years old today. _________________________________________ Teusday (sic) July 12th 53 Cool for this time of year. Ruth is sick. This morning Elen called to see Ruth. Mrs Leming called. Old father Harvey is very bad with the cholera and sent for his people. We wrote a note to Lizzie and a letter to Mrs Secrest and now I must get tea. Ruth is better this evening. ______________________________ Sunday (October) 15th (1854) Cool and clear this morning. After breakfast Bro Robison and Lady went to Zion, and Mr Wainright, Lucius and I went to Goshen and heard Bro Neff preach, after service we went to fathers and took dinner in company with several others. Mr and Mrs Secrest were there from Zion. We returned home about five oclock. _______________________ Monday Oct 16th 54 Cool but pleasant. This morning Doc Anshutz called and took breakfast and went to the city. Mr and Mrs Secrest, father, Carrie and Ruth came and spent the day with us. Mr Riggs called and settled with Mr Wainright, we got an invitation to an infair party next Friday.