Travel Diaries and Journals

Monday, December 1st Very cold. Winter's drear reign has commenced Sewed in the morning. In the afternoon I called on Mary Reeve Mary [Robb?] , and the Waterman's. [?] Dickinson called and presented Carrie with a Lyceum ticket and with an offer of his hand which was rejected. She however accepted his company to Lcyeum for the winter on condition that he would accompany her only as a [cousin?]. He said he wished she would be an old maid but though he felt very badly about it they parted pleasantly Mr Murphy and Mr Roy a theological student called in the [ev'ng?].

Tuesday.. Busy at home all day.. Margaret Culbert called in the afternoon Dr Remmington was here to tea and lectured at our church in the evening. Mrs Hudson and Kate called and accompanied our folks to the lecture. Natty? and I spent the evening alone together in reading.

Wednesday.. Cold but pleasant. After sewing steadily all day early in the evening I dressed to attend Miss Hamilton's wedding. George Hudson and Kate called for Carrie to attend singing school. They returned about half past eight before we started for the wedding. Joseph Wilde and Hannah came in and [staid?] [till?] we returned. Mother and Father, Mr Murphy with Harriet and I attended the wedding. The rooms were crowded. The bride of course looked very sweetly and the groom Mr [Brinu?] looked well. We met there Stan? and Annie, the Culberts, and quite a number of acquaintances and, we enjoyed it very much. The [Calthumpians?] were serenading before the door when we left. It is the first time I have ever heard them. I should [?] like to have them come to my wedding.

Friday Jan. 16th. Snowed some. Mr Wilde, Mr Stearns, George and Kate Hudson called in this afternoon. George carried off a ring of mine. [Hatty?Natty?] brought some letters to me from Joseph W_ written by Samuel. They were very good, but announced that by the advice of his friends he had concluded to give up study and return to his business. I was rather surprised, but concluded that Sam had a right to do as he pleased, and it will make no difference to me. He wrote rather despondingly, said he did not wish to give up studying, but that he did so by the advice of his uncle whom he has great confidence. Joseph W_ spent the evening with us. Saturday. Cloudy but not so cold. Soon after dinner Sarah and I called at Annie Culbert's. She was not home but we were pleasantly entertained by Elizabeth. After leaving there we went into Fourth st where we met Culbert and all stopped awhile at the Equestrian Institute. After that Sarah and I called on Mary [illegible?] and made an engagement to go with her to the Baptist Church tomorrow. We then set out for Kate's. Met George Hudson on the way and he went with us. Kate Hudson persuaded us much against any inclination to go up into Henry's room. Mr Murphy disapproved so much of our doing so before that I though it must be really improper. I found Henry sitting up in a chair, though still very feeble.

[written in the left margin parallel to main text:] Sarah received a letter from her mother requesting her to come home immediately as they have decided to move out west in April and there is much to do before.

any reasons, but he said he knew what they were. Mary Reeve called in the afternoon, and accompanied us to the Hudson's, as Sarah wished to see Kate once more Mary returned with us. Hannah Wilde called. About four o'clock Sarah started for New York. Mary & I accompanied her to the ferry. Sarah wished us to cross with her but we did like to as it was so late. She seemed to think me very unkind, and would have left me without a kiss, had I not asked for one. She was either hurt or offended -- I had not time to consider which, as the boat was starting and she was obliged to leave us in haste. How unpleasant to part so. but I could not help it as a moment's reflection must have convinced her. Mary and I called on Mrs Mailler. -- Harriet Thorp?- -orn? and Mr Murphy spent the evening with us. Wednesday.. Very warm, the walking of course was nothing but mud and [spool?]. This day, chosen for the celebration of the birth of the City of Williamsburgh, was ushered by the ringing of bells and the firing of cannon. [Hope?] was closed and business suspended. Ellen Diskinson? called in the morning to invite us to come to their house in the afternoon, that we might have a better view of the procession, which was to pass through their street Accordingly after dinner Mother, Carrie, and I went. The procession was very good. The Mayor honored us with a special bow. He looked very complacent, and was

Tuesday, March 16th.. Went into Grand st of an errand, and called on Mrs Tucker. Sewed in the afternoon

Wednesday.. Rained in the morning and snowed in the afternoon.. Received a box from Mrs Leager and Ellen containing two very pretty boxes, crochet patterns a worsted pattern and letters from Ellen and her mother to Carrie and I. We were much pleased with them all. -- Mr & Mrs Hudson, Kate and Henry came over in the afternoon and took tea with us. Mr Murphy was also here and George He came in the evening. We had a very pleasant time both in the afternoon and evening. We had prayers and sing-ing together about half-past ten and soon after they left. Mr Hudson presented Father with a $20 bank note

Thursday.. Cloudy and damp. Wrote to Ellen Leager. Cornelius who has been complaining for the last two weeks was suddenly taken very ill with the rheumatism and the doctor was called. He was put to bed, the Doctor's prescriptions attended to and he soon felt much better. Sarah Wilde spent the afternoon here.

She has improved a little during her long sojourn from home but is herself still. She amused us very much Henry Hudson called and accompanied me to Lyceum in the evening. The Rev Mr. Pierpont delivered his celebrated poem on New England. It was received with much applause