Mary Emma Jocelyn diary, 1851-1852.

Saturday, December 20th. Clear. Busy at home all day. Mary Willet called in the afternoon. Mr Goodell a friend of father's, and who is to preach for him to-morrow came to pass the Sabbath with us. He lives in the western part of New York state.

Sunday, December 21st, Cold and cloudy. Attended our church all day, and Sunday School in the afternoon. Mr Goodell preached in the morning on, "I am the Lord, I change [?]. and in the afternoon from 1 John 2:3. Both sermons were very fine indeed, and attracted an unusually large audience. The Hudson girls walked home with us after the afternoon service and gave us the unexpected intelligence that Henry arrived from California this morning at 11 o'clock They have been expecting him all the week, but did not tell us that he was coming so soon. He was too tired to attend church. Joseph Wilde walked home with me and took the occasion to congratulate me on [?] return, but I not hearing the conversation of the others who were ahead, and as it was so unexpected I thought he was in jest, and answered him accordingly. I did not know till I reached home that it was indeed true. He came alone; his father expects to follow him in a month. He sent his respects to us and said that he would call soon. In the evening Natty and I attended Mr Beecher's church. Harriet and Mr Murphy also attended.

Monday.. Snowed all day. Helen Stearns called in the morning I was quite ill and lay down most of the afternoon. Nathaniel met George Hudson in the course of the day. who informed him that Henry was quite sick, and unable to leave the house. It is feared that he will have the [Chagres?] fever which he might have taken while crossing the [Isthmus?]. How unfortunate if it should so happen. A sad welcome indeed to one returning, bouyant with hope, after nearly three years absence, to his beloved home.

==Tuesday..]] The ground was covered with snow, and the sleigh bells jingled merrily by all day.. The sun shone warmly and brightly on the snow-clad earth. It was a lovely sight. I did not go out all day. We heard from the Hudson's that Henry was still worse. Mr Murphy spent the evening

Wednesday.. Cloudy. Morning in sewing with Nattie. Early in the afternoon Mother called on the Hudson family and found them nearly all sick. Poor Henry is confined to his bed in a raging fever. The Doctor says that "the old southern rascal has go hold of him". He feels the cold very much and says he could never live here again in this cold climate. He sent us word that if he was well he would come to see us but as he could not we must come and see him. - Went out of an errand and called on Mary Reeve. In the evening received a letter from [joseph? Gonsolves?] saying that [she?] would be happy to visit me but could not come this week. If she comes at all she

Thursday, December 25th / Christmas day.. Arose early to search fo a ring which I had lost the night before. I was [not?] successful and began to feel concerned about it as I had a particular reason for wishing to keep it. Mother said that Santa Claus had been sent after it; probably to give it to somebody who deserved it better. Carrie and Nathaniel attended the Catholic church in the morning. I did not feel well and lay down. [Starr?] and Annie called and Father returned before dinner. - Waking from a short slumber I spied my ring on the carpet just where it seemed impossible not to have seen it before. After dinner - a Christmas dinner by the way - Carrie curled my hair all over my head in a way that was pronounced very pretty and though at first I did not like it much myself it was universally declared that henceforth I should wear it in no other fashion than that. Universal opinion prevailed and I submitted. Mr Murphy presented Harriet with a very pretty [pin?]. Carrie and I made a long and pleasant [call?] on the Hudson's. Henry is still worse and has been delirious most of the day. George has watched with him [thru?] nights and they are all constantly busy in attending him. Just as we were leaving Henry sent us [an?] invitation to come up and see him. We hesitated and the [score?] of propriety but finally thinking that circumstance

[text continued on left margin:] justified the step we went up to his room. I followed Carrie to his bedside. She stooped and kissed him and I did the same and [then?] half drew back in surprise to see there not the very youthful young gentleman we had parted with three years ago but this full grown man whiskers and all. He has improved very much in appearance and his expression is at once very good and very pleasing. He grasped my hand warmly and returned my kiss with much fervor saying cheerfully How [?] [to?] Emma said he was glad to see me looking so well and made a few other remarks - then his mind appeared to wander and we left him. George accompanied us home. He told us that before the family he tried to put the best face on the matter but that in California he had seen so much of this dreadful fever he feared much its effects on Henry. He remarked however that Henry was [prepared?] to die and that he [supposed?] he was himself [not?] that there was no [?] [in?] wishing

Friday December 26th Very cold. Busy in sewing. [?] Dickinson called in the afternoon. Mary Willet and Antoinette Shepard also made a long call. In the morning Mrs Evans Ellen Seager's cousin from New York called with a letter from Ellen to me. She had been at much trouble in finding me having first sent over a servant who being unsuccessful, returned and she then came over with it herself. She seems a very pleasant lady I have never seen her before. Ellen's letter was eight pages long, describing the voyage, her reception in England [?] with her mother she is now residing near Woolwich at her uncle's. They were [27?] days on the ocean during which time a very pleasing young gentleman on board fell in love with Ellen, and made her an offer of his hand, but she had left her heart in America, and he [sued?] in vain. She is homesick, and wants to see me and somebody [somebody is underscored] else very badly. Brother Jonathan quite [?] John Bull in her eyes, and she is so discontented that I think she will return with her mother as soon as possible.

Saturday..

Sunday. 28th Dec.. Rained hard all day. I did not go out. Father visited Henry Hudson at noon. Found him very low but perfectly sensible. At his request prayers were offered for him at church in the afternoon Father visited him again after church and found him in a very happy state of mind. He sent his love to us all. The thought of his danger affected me very much, though I could scarcely tell why I wept. We had a little meeting at home in the ev'ng and special prayers were offered for him. Mr Murphy Harriet, Carrie and I sang and talked together till about ten when we retired.

Monday.. The snow has all disappeared, carried completely away by the heavy rain of yesterday, and it is much warmer than it was last week; but the walking is anything but pleasant. Went out in the afternoon of an errand. Met Emma Briggs and after- wards H. Wilde both of whom gave me a compliment very different from each other. Mary Reeve and Miss [?] called in my absence but going out again I met them and had quite a pleasant walk with them [Mr? word is crossed out] George Hendson? passed us as we turned a corner He looked very sober and I could not help feeling sorry that I happened to be laughing just then. Called on Mrs Tucker, and on Sarah Olmsted. Attended prayer meeting at Mrs Stearns in the evening.