Travel Diaries and Journals

Friday, November 28th Rainy. Was not very well. Caroline, with Kate Hudson, and Mary [Best?] spent the day at an Anti-Slavery fair in Brooklyn. George Hudson spent the evening with them and brought Carrie home about twelve o'clock and the young lady woke me from sound slumbers to give me an account of her adventures which I was to sleepy to think as interesting as she evidently considered them. In the meantime Harriet and I had had a very pleasant day together in chatting and sewing. Hannah [Wilde?] called early in the morning. Evening in reading.

Saturday. Warm and Pleasant. Soon after breakfast I called on Hannah [Wilde?] and Mary Reeve. Hannah wanted me to go to the Fair with her very much so finally I consented. It was nearly noon when we started. We took the stage on Fourth at which set us down at the door of Montague Hall, Brooklyn where the Fair is held. It was mostly [superintended] by colored ladies. Our design in coming was to assist by taking tables. We did so and sold about eight or ten dollars worth in the course of the evening. The ladies were very polite to us. The boys came over in the evening. Doctor Remmington made a speech. We left about half past eight. After I reached home I read the National Era and retired.

Sunday. Pleasant. Attended our church in the morning and evening Mr. Whiting preached in the morning.

Thursday. Pleasant but cold. Mrs Otis and Miss Stanley called in the evening Sarah and I attended Lyceum with Mrs? Miss? Carrie went as usual with Hugh. Friday. Cloudy. The ground was covered with snow. In the afternoon Sarah, Caroline, and I attended Dr Benton's lecture on Psycheology. We became very much interested. Mary Reeve called in our absence, and came around to [the?] lecture to see us. After the lecture Sarah, Mary, and I called on Hannah W. Mrs Hallock, and Kate Hudson. In the evening, Natty, Sarah and I attended Dr Benton's lecture. It was very amusing and exciting. We did [not?] reach home till about eleven. Found Mr Murphy sick. Saturday. Snowy. In the afternoon, Harriet, Carrie, Sarah and I attended Dr Benton's lecture. Annie Culbert called, but not finding us at home came round to Central Hall and staid a short with us. Sarah and I went into Grand st after lecture and did a little shopping. Sunday. Snowed a little in the morning. Sarah and I attended the Babtist [sic] church, and heard a very good sermon from Mr Rhees the minister. Attended our church in the afternoon. Evening at home. Monday. Pleasant. Was not very well. In the evening Sarah, Caroline, Natty and I went round to Mary R's. Joseph, Hannah, and her friend Emma Horing? were there and this evening [passed?] very pleasantly indeed. We returned about eleven.

[continued in left side margin:] The Cuthberts, Ellen Dickinson and Mary Willet called. P.M.

Tuesday. Pleasant but bitter cold. Mrs Warner and Mary Reeve called in the afternoon. Sarah, Caroline and Natty spent the evening with the Dickinsons. I was not well enough to accompany them. Before they left Sarah and I spent some time together in singing. Wednesday. Jan. 14th, Excessively cold. We seem surrounded with ice, and cannot keep any water in our rooms. We spend much time in trying to get warm and to keep warm. In the afternoon Mrs Hallum a cousin of Mother's from the city made a long call, and set us to wondering how she could come so far on such a cold day, yet in the evening we all wrapped up warmly and marched off to singing school. We had a pleasant time and returned bringing quite a little company with us who staid [sic] some time. Mr Murphy was also here. Thursday. Weather the same. Mary Reeve and Mrs Wells called in the afternoon. I wrote in Sarah's album. Before tea I suddenly became very ill and was obliged to give up the idea of attending Lyceum. The Dickinsons called as usual, and all went but Harriet and I. H- was obliged to retire from the effects of a severe headache. I soon followed her example, but lay awake. [til?] the girls came laughing up to my room to relate their adventures of which they always seem to meet with an abundance, wherever they go. They also gave me a glowing account of the lectures which they thought very fine.

Friday. Still very warm. Busy with my needle part of the though it must be confessed, not very steadily; listening to Harriet, singing with Kate and playing with Douglas who was home all day occupied considerable of the time that was left from my usual household duties. Albert and Mary Emma came over to tea. Mr Otis an intimate friend of theirs also called in the evening Albert discovered that he was acquainted with a gentleman living next door to us an excellent player on the guitar so what should he do but go in there and practice with him and in the middle of the evening came back with a polite invitation from the lady and gentleman to come in there to hear Albert and Mr Clark play. We accepted the invitation - were treated to some very fine music - and afterwards to some cake and lemonade - [wine?] was also carried around but no one took it. We returned about eleven o'clock. Albert, M.E. and Mr Otis then left and we soon dispersed to our chambers. Saturday - Was very busy all day. Harriet and Kate spend the day shopping in New York. Caroline went over to consult Dr Banning in the afternoon. Annie came in soon after dinner and spent the afternoon pleasantly with Mother and I. Carrie returned about six o'clock and with Annie we went into [Grand st?] to purchase dresses for ourselves but finding nothing to suit us we returned without them. illegible? was with us to tea - we all spent the evening very pleasantly together We were treated to some excellent ice-cream which Tillie? made today with a little assistance from Mother.