DIARY OF
SARAH A. GRANDEY CONVERSE
January 1891
Thurs.,
Jan. 1, 1891 - Pleasant day, thawing some. First thaw
since Nov. Juba working to Mr. Wards. Evening he and Clara
to the Post Office. Little Rollin staid with me. Rec’ a package from Minnie.
Fri., Jan. 2, 1891 - Cold
north wind this morning. Juba to Mr.
Wards making a hay press.
Sat., Jan.
3, 1891 - Very cold. Plenty of snow. Lake frozen
over at Elm Point, no crossing yet north of Chimney Point. Little Rollin is 13 months old today. Does not quite walk alone. Juba to Mr. Wards.
Sun., Jan.
4, 1891 - Not quite as cold today. Juba, Clara & the baby gone to the Corners. Louisa came
over. It is 10 years today since
Fletcher died. I have written three
letters today. To May & her mother
& Sadie.
Mon., Jan.
5, 1891 - Cold and snowing some. Juba has
gone to Port Henry with Mr. Ward. Did
not get home till 8 o’clock, brought a new cutter home. He mailed my letters in Port Henry.
Tues., Jan.
6, 1891 - Snowing some today. Juba has gone to Ver.? With Mr. Ward. Carried two dozen eggs, __ cents per dozen, bought 10 gallon
kerosene. Heard this morning Cyrus
Bowers mother died last night, & Mr. Bostwick
died at 5 this morning.
Wed., Jan. 7, 1891 - Pleasant
day. Juba
& I attended the funeral of Mrs. Bowers.
Evening – Juba & Clara rode to the Post Office. Rollin & I here alone. I have written to Charles & Ann. Rec’d a letter from them Tuesday night. Rec’d a latter from Sadie & Minnie.
Thurs., Jan. 8, 1891 - Very
pleasant & clear day. Juba to Mr.
Wards. I made a visit to Mr.
Staggs this afternoon. Miss Wm. Cloan (?) is there, dressmaking. Mr. Stagg is not very well. Cora is having the whooping cough.
Fri., Jan. 9, 1891 - Another
pleasant cold day. Juba
& Clara gone to attend the funeral of Mr. Bostwick. Baby Rollin staid with me. P. M. Juba at Mr. Staggs helping them saw wood. Evening – they went to the Corners.
Sat., Jan. 10, 1891
Another very nice clear day, not as cold as yesterday. Sleighing excellent. Juba working in the shop.
Sun., Jan. 11, 1891 - Some warmer
this morning, about noon it commenced raining & continued till bed
time. All at home all day, have read Dr.
Talmadge excellent sermon.
Mon., Jan. 12, 1891 - Rain
continued till 9 o’clock, trees are covered with ice,
also the snow has a coat of fice. P. M. – Very nice and pleasant. Juba working
in the shop. Sent
to Vergennes for some tea by Mr. Rogers.
Tues., Jan. 13, 1891
Some colder
but very pleasant. Juba went over to see them press hay in the press he has
been making. P. M. – He and Clara went
to the Post Office. Baby
staid with me. David and Mrs. McClean (?) made us a call.
Wed., Jan.
14, 1891 - A nice winter day, sleighing splendid. Juba working
in the shop.
Thurs., Jan. 15, 1891 - Cold
south wind, but clear and pleasant. Juba working part of the day in the shop,
drove the cold for exercise to the Office.
Evening – Juba & Clara to the Office. She don’t take little Rollin, as fears the
whooping cough. Several children in town
have it.
Fri., Jan. 16, 1891 - A
beautiful bright, cold day. Juba working
in the shop. Put up a curtain for
Clara. Baby Rollin took two steps alone for the first time.
Sat., Jan. 17, 1891 - A very
cold morning, more mild at noon. Juba went this morning to Mr. Wards & Mr. Dudleys. After dinner went to Ver. with
John Spalding. It is snowing fast
now. They came home about dark, stormed
all the way. Brought
a barrel of flour and half a barrel of walken (?).
Jan. 18, 1891 - Stormy &
north wind blowing briskly, snow piled in high heaps on the cross roads. They
must be impassable.
Jan. 19, 1891 - Storm is over
for the present and Julia & Joe are out plowing roads. It is still very
cloudy but quite mild. Juba in the shop, p.m. Also
drove the colt to the Corners. I sent a letter to Minnie.
Jan. 20,
1891 - Still cloudy and mild and not so very cold. Juba & Joseph plowing roads
until 10 o’clock. Juba & Clara to the Corners.
Jan. 21,
1891 - Pleasant & growing warmer. A. M. Juba & Clara to
the Corners. Baby & I at
home. P. M. Juba drove the colt to Addison
& I went down as far as Ma Adams to see the sick baby. It took very sick. Evening, Juba
went after Mrs. Trask(?) cow.
Jan. 22, 1891 - Warmer & raining. Juba in the
shop at work. Sammy Rogers, the school teacher came last night to board.
Jan. 23,
1891 - Very pleasant all day. Water has drained away so it is not as bad
going as yesterday. Frozen a little last night. Juba in the shop. Had a letter from Mrs. Whitney. Mrs. Mary Curlen? Made us a short call.
Eve: Mrs. Curlen came begging for a surprise
party to Andrews.
Jan. 24,
1891 - South wind and cloudy.
Looks like it could storm soon. A. M.? Juba working
for Andrew in shop. P. M.: He & Clara gone to the Corners baby & Salome?. He is
well & grows finely. Can take a few steps alone. At night clouds gone & it is
a splendid moonlight evening.
Jan. 25, 1891 – A beautiful
bright day. Juba gone over to the Wards
on the Lake
street. Said he called to see Willis Admas who is with sick. Dr. Hopkins has been to see him today.
Jan. 26,
1891 – Pleasant day but cold. Juba went
over to help the Spalding boys fill their ice house but it was so cold they
thought best wait till tomorrow. P.
M.: Mr. in the shop. Party
to Andrews tonight.
Jan. 27, 1891 – A. M.: Pleasant.
P. M. Stormy. Juba over cutting ice for
the S’ boys, finished filling the ice house.
Jan. 28, 1891 – A very
pleasant day, not very cold. Juba at home
this forenoon. Afternoon he &
Clara went to the Corners. Next Andrew went to the lake fishing, caught
only three fish. Baby
& I alone. I am having a severe pain in my head.
Jan. 29, 1891 – Snow has been
falling all day. Tonight it is warmer
& raining. Juba at home, trimmed his
buffalo robe. Clara has a bad cold. Baby
is well & full of fun. I could not
sleep last night, my head felt so bad. It is better today. It is raining fast now.
Jan. 30, 1891 – Warm &
very pleasant. The rain has melted all
the snow that fell yesterday & much of the old snow. Juba has
gone with Charlie on a load of logs to Vergennes. 25 years and 5 months today since our dear John Rollin was killed in battle at Petersburg, Va. Our dear son Jesse – we know not where he
is. Will the Lord save him.
Jan. 31, 1891 – A mild and
pleasant day with ____ sunshine and clouds. Juba to Ven. with Charlie and
logs. Our little baby Rollin is well and full of play. Can take a few steps alone.