Travel Diaries and Journals

Mr Tucker was walking up and down the room apparently in great distress and unconscious of everything else but the presence of that dear one now cold in death. Little William the youngest boy, was crying for his mother when I came, his father took him up in his arms and held him over the corpse but the child turned away without out seeming to recognize it, and his father resigning him to the arms of the nurse proceeded again with his despairing walk up and down the room - I could not bear to look at him and turned and caressed the motherless child a sweet little fellow not yet three years old - while I asked the nurse a few questions as well as I could speak. She said that Mrs Tucker's danger became first evident on Thursday and that she had been in a dying state from then. She herself was convinced of it. She suffered a great deal but was conscious most of the time expressed perfect confidence in her Saviour and a willingness to depart though she regretted leaving her family. She left five children, three boys and two girls the youngest being a little more than a year old. I left with a saddened heart. Father called there in the evening Mrs Tucker was a dear and esteemed friend of his.

Sunday July 18th very pleasant. Kate, Nathaniel and I attended our church in the morning. Mr Whiting preached. The singing was anything but musical - I hope I shall never hear worse. Attended Sunday school in the afternoon, came home before it closed and with Kate and Naty? attended Mrs Tucker's funeral at the Baptist church. We arrived in season but the church was crowded and it was with difficulty that we could obtain a seat in the gallery. Mr Rhees? preached. After the sermon all who wished were invited to come forward and see the corpse. We watched the others going forward [till?] we were [tired?], and then went ourselves. She had not altered much, and was smiling as sweetly as ever. The coffin was ornamented with white flowers. I saw many had tears as they glanced for the last time on the sweet face within. I have since heard that after we left her brothers wept alound, and that Mr Tucker was obliged to be carried into the church, while there he was very pale, but was not seen to shed a tear. - At seventeen Mrs Tucker was deprived of her mother by death, and was left with the care of seven younger brothers, and these with the aid of her father and a housekeeper she brought up in such a manner that they have all turned out very superior men. - No wonder then at their crying in parting with one who had always filled a mother's place, but the tears of a man are dreadful to see, many could not bear the sight and hastily left the church. Ah indeed I can fully [unite?] with [the others?] in crying such?] women are rare, we do not meet them every day. She was always so bright smiling, active cheerful and benevolent that it did one's heart good to see her.

Monday Pleasant but windy. Sewed in the morning - went out shopping with Kate in the afternoon and called on Ellen Dickinson Mary Reeve made a long, pleasant call. Ed Daniel spent the evening here. We girls spent some time in singing before we retired. Tuesday July 20th. Warm and pleasant. Bells were tolled and cannons fired at sunrise and sunset. About two o'clock Kate, myself and the boys went to New York to witness the funeral honors of Henry Clay. Met [Natty?] on the other side of Rockship? ferry and he escorted us safely through the crowded streets to the Bowery where he had engaged seats for us in the second story windows of the store of Smith and Conant. To Mr Smith we were introduced at the door - he politely led the way up stairs, seated us and helped us to some iced water which, after our hasty walk in the hot sun, we found very refreshing. In about fifteen minutes the procession commenced passing and did not conclude till six o'clock. Though it was a magnificent sight I soon became very much fatigued and only remained till the conclusion on Kate's account, who never having seen anything of the kind before was anxious to see it all. On leaving Natty urged us to go to Broadway and refresh ourselves with some ice-cream. I was very unwilling but as Kate and Nat were so desirous to go I consented but we had no ice-cream however. Broadway was a perfect jam and getting through the crowd as quickly as possible we hastened home. I was very much fatigued, even more so than Kate who says she can stand a great deal more than I can [if?] she is [a southerner?].

Wednesday, July 21st. Very warm. Received a call from Mary Reeve in the morning - she came to bid me good bye as she leaves for the country this afternoon whither I hope soon to join her. Mary seemed rather melancholy, and half sorry to go though whether it was on mine or Joseph's? account I could hardly tell - probably on both. [Served? Sewed?] on a mantilla for Mother most of the day. Albert came over to tea and spent the evening. Kate seemed much interested in him - much more so than in the handsome Isaiah Caulbert who also passed the evening with us. It was very pleasant - Father and Mother seemed to enjoy it much. Albert, Isaiah and Carrie sang several pieces - Albert has his flute with him. How natural, and how much like old times it seemed to hear that flute pouring forth its sweet sounds on the evening air as it was wont to do when he ws home with us in the life of one household - before - oh Albert! would your sake that those days might come back again. Thursday. Weather the same. Harriet and Douglas reached home this morning safe and well. Hattie looks better, her trip has doubtless done her good. Douglas was evidently in high spirits - squeezed Carrie and I in an unprecedented manner and frolicked round with us all like a school boy Their meeting with Kate was quite an affecting one. Douglas [illegible?] to Brooklyn soon after breakfast and was absent till tea time. Hattie and Kate were closeted together half of the day, notwithstanding [?-found] times to relate a good many of her adventures to us all. Carrie and I received a letter from Harriet

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.

still they were beautiful, and were much admired by the crowd who were assembled in the vicinity We returned near two o'clock. Joseph and Mary accompanied us home and remained about an hour later Father was in the the parlors with us a short time during their stay, and afterwards remarked that Mary was the smallest marriageable [piece?] he ever saw. "The best goods are done up in the smallest packages" Joseph says whenever Mary's size is referred to but however that may be he will have a nice little wife.

Tuesday. Very warm. In the course of the morning I started of to visit my cousin Martha Wood who is now with Aunt Graves in Brooklyn. I took one of our kittens with me as a present to Aunt, it was a pretty little thing but too smart altogether for becoming frightened by the rattling of the stages. It pushed of the cover of the basket in which I was carrying it, jumped out and vanished like a phantom I felt badly, got out of the stage and looked for it some time and being unsuccessful I proceeded on my way and arrived at my place of destination without further accident. Found Martha and Aunt at home - Aunt was not very well. Martha entertained me all day in talking about a fortune teller who had called there in the morning and pretended to unveil to her her future destiny yet what she said had much the appearance of truth and it seems hard to be accounted for

At the tea-table became acquainted with Mr Howell and Mr Barnard who are boarding with Aunt. The first is a gentleman of considerable property but is an old bachelor a fact that quite spoils him for Martha who infinitely the younger handsomes, but has wealthy gentleman. The had made an engagement with to attend a play at Castle Garden this evening and therefore they left immediately after tea. Mr Barnard invited me to accompany them but of course, I declined and spent the evening with Aunt playing backgammon. Not being well she retired early and I went up to my room and had an hour or and retired. Martha and her escort did not reach home till twelve o'clock. Wednesday July 7th Very warm. Martha and I rose early I was not very well. Uncle left immediately after breakfast on a trip to Saratoga. Martha and I spent the day very pleasantly together. She is lively, talkative and very interesting in her manner. Mr Kibben? called in the morning. Natty came over to tea spent an hour or two very pleasantly with us and accompanied me home - we arrived safely about ten o'clock and I at once retired very much fatigued. - I forgot to say that in the morning Aunt gave me a linen sheet spun and woken by her grandmother when quite young and which must therefore be now between seventy- and eighty-years old She gave it to me, I being the youngest daughter, with a request that I would preserve it carefully and finally give it to my youngest daughter to be preserved in this same way for the sake of old times. All this I willingly promised, being very fond of antiquities.

Monday May 3rd Bright and warm. Mr Murphy had remained all night and after breakfast before the gentlemen left for the city we spent a very pleasant hour in the parlor. Albert and Mary Emma bade us good bye and left for their new boarding place in Houston st. N.Y. Mr. E left this "Wide Wide World" for our benefit and accordingly evening found me entranced in the first volume. Went round with my tracts in the afternoon Was well received except by our Catholic family who refused any tracts, but of smiles and encouraging words there was no lack. Most are glad to see, and glad to receive what I have to give, and [illegible?] I feel very happy in the performance of this duty and pray that thus I may accomplish much good. Carrie's right eye has troubled her considerably for the last two or three days, and to-day it was so much swollen and inflamed that Mother sent for Dr Jones who pronounced it to be erysipelas. It makes her very sleepy which she considers quite a good thing as she can do nothing else. She retired very early. Mr Murphy spent the evening here Proffesor Abadie sent us a family ticket for the May Queen Festival to be celebrated by his pupils on Wednesday evening next. Miss Julia Waterman brought it in at his request and made quite a call.

Tuesday May 4th Delightful weather - just warm enough. Harriet and I spent an hour of the early morning in shopping Bought a new hat for the summer. Mary Reeve and Miss Thien? called P.M. Commenced making and marking half-a-dozen towels for Harriet - no great undertaking, by the way. Mr Murphy spent the evening here - thinks he will be married before a great while. We had quite a talk about it Of course [none?] of us are willing that that event should take place so soon, but the selfish couple run on most pertinaciously about their plans and prospects quite regardless of our feelings. Aggravating! They are so wrapt up in each other that they can't think of any one else. Dr Finlay called. Wednesday. Very warm. Hannah Wilde called in the afternoon I went into Grant st of an errand. Carrie much better Mr Murphy came over soon after seven and with Hat? Nat? and I attended teh May Queen Festival at Prof A's school. Met the Culberts there, and I was soon [mounted?] up on the back of school-bench between Margaret and [Aunt?] from which my prominent elevation I had an excellent view of the ceremony. The little queen, a very pretty and graceful girl, apparently about thirteen years of age, conducted herself admirably. After the [illegible?], a May pole [wreath?] with flowers was brought forward to the centre of the room, the queen descended from her throle and stood beside

it while the other children, all dressed in white and covered with flowers, danced around her. This was followed by a cotillion in which the queen took part, then waltzing - it was a pretty sight to see the little things whirling round so gracefully and in perfect order. As I looked admiringly on I could imagine nothing prettier. After dancing about an hour the children with the queen at their head walked through the room in a procession and up stairs to supper. During their absence the guests amused themselves with walking round and dancing. Bye and bye the children returned and such as were so disposed took their places up stairs. I accompanied the Culberts and others to see what was to be had. Natty and I returned about ten much fatigued but much pleased with what we had seen and enjoyed. Thursday. Excessively warm - began to think of summer clothing Sarah Gonsalves? called in the morning to bid us farewell The family intend taking their departure for Hamiltons? this afternoon. She staid about an hour. To-day we are involved in all the inconveniences and [mischances?] of house-cleaning, a state of affairs for which I always entertained a great horror, and accordingly kept out of the way of dirty carpets, piles of furniture and pails of water as much as possible, and wondering to myself how Mrs ?? Charlotte]] and Mr Murrow could scrub and work so hard on such a warm day. I took my sewing and esconced myself in the rocking-chair in the back parlor for the greater part of the time Kept the "Wide Wide World" near by and took a peep at its contents once in a while. Father called on Mrs Hobrook? who is very low of heart, [illegible?] Mother called in the afternoon