The following is the diary of my great aunt, Julia D. Greene, formerly of Lansing, who lived with us in the farmhouse on Ford Rd. for fifteen years, approximately from 1899 to 1914. [Transcription by Mary Lillian Lathers, AKA Lillian, b. 1901, d. 1978]

Nankin, cloudy part of p.m. & eve., Wea. Fair Sun, Dec. 1, 1901

Got up soon after 7. Lay down few minutes before dressing. Julia concluded she could not go to church as the baby was too fretty, and Julia herself did not feel any too well.

Robt. drove for me, & we went early & stopped for his mother. She was all ready, not as many out as I had hoped, such a pleasant day.

Rev. W. preached from Eph. 4:16, after church communion service was observed. There were no additions. The Home Missions Coll was taken up, & some pledges paid. I went to Wm. Lathers before S.S. & paid him the $3.00 I pledged in Nov. I pledged to the cause in Sept.

SS att. 31, coll. $.33, a little was added to last Sabbathπs coll., making it $1.40 for the Ashville School in N.C.

Kept my room most of day, read some & lay down, but not to sleep.

Fannie stopped this eve, we all went to church except Robert, who took care of the baby. Henry L. led the meeting, Julia played the organ. Rob drove down with me, & stayed to meeting.

Nankin, cloudy part of p.m. & eve., Wea Fair, Mon, Dec. 2, 1901

Baby had a hard crying spell for about 1 1/2 or 2 hours last night & our folks were consequently a little slow this a.m. I have cleared table, filled & cleaned 3 lamps, brushed up sitting room, tended fires & baby, pared potatoes for 3 meals, & helped get dinner.

Julia has managed to do good part of washing, tho out of rainwater & using boraxine. I hung out part of clothes, but Robert most of them. He and Rob got most of the water for her from the well.

While Rob was at house this non, I got him to carry out my straw bed, & empty & refill it, & I have brushed up after it. Had the bedding all spread around the room, & did not make up bed until bedtime. Thought the straw might be damp.

Men have worked in the field, drawing beet tops, husking corn, etc. Julia has ironed a little, tended the baby, she is quite fretty and troublesome, is getting more teeth. I have done my usual every day duties, and written some. Jennie was in on an errand.

Nankin, Windy, very cold. Wea. Cloudy, Tues, Dec. 3, 1901, 28 ther.

Found Robert eating breakfast when I got downstairs at 6 oπclock, as he was going to city with load of potatoes. The rest of us ate later. I had him take my bank draft of $25.00, get it cashed, aslo get me some drugs. He got home before dark, tired and cold, slept on lounge good part of eve. Julia found that Johnny also had gone to city, so sent Cyrus over and had Ollie & Fannie come & take dinner with us. They stayed till about 3:30, Fannie worked on a pair of little pants she was making for the church fair. I worked most of day on childπs skirt, brought sewing machine out from the parlor, it was so cold it wouldnπt work good there. I have sewed lace on dimity sweeping cap for fair, gave my head good combing, & lay down for few minutes.

This is Emilyπs birthday, 9 years old, & Julia has made her a birthday cake. Cyrus has been greatly interested in the frosting of it, he placed some pink & white candies around the top, but couldnπt keep it secret. Julia has baked cake & johnnycakes & ironed some, has been a dreary, lonesome day, too cold to sit upstairs.

I basted some on my work, read some this eve, & wiped supper dishes.

Nankin, Wea Fair, Wed., Dec. 4, 1901

Very cold night. Robert reported mercury at 10 this a.m. I began stitching on skirt, but thread kept breaking & I had to give it up. After doing my usual chores, I lay down little while, then worked on sofa pillow, putting ruffles on, & got one together before dinner.

I have sprinkled & folded some of my clothes & this p.m. while Julia was baking bread, I ironed them. Jennie was in this p.m. on an errand, sat a few minutes. The men have been at her place doing some teaming for her.

I have sewed, read, & written some. Julia has done sweeping & considerable general work, & ironed some.

Nankin, Wea Fair, Thurs. Dec. 5, 1901, 40 Ther

We were up in fairly good season. Too cold to sit upstairs, so I have sewed on childπs skirt, making 5 buttonholes in the band, have nearly sewed lace on one sweeping cap, & done my usual duties. Got up from dinner table, dressed for Miss. Meeting, as Julia proposed I go early, so as to ride. Went with Rob on wood rack to Grandma Lathersπs, had Cyrus & baby with me. Stayed there with baby (she was afraid of them all) till Emily came from school at recess to be with her, then I went on to church. Julia came along just as I started out, others came, after a little the meeting started, Julia presiding. We read 24^th Psalm & part of 25^th & had season of prayer, at Juliaπs request I read an article from Home Mission Monthly regarding Ashville & other schools in N.C. There were 10 present. Most of the time was spent planning for the coming Fair & Dinner, to be held next Tuesday at Ida Proctor Houcks. We walked home, later Robert drove to Grandmaπs for the children. Baby came home crying & Julia got her to bed as soon as possible. Robert & Julia have churned & fixed butter for market. I wiped supper dishes, & have read some.

Nankin, Wea. Fair, Fri. Dec. 6, 1901

Robert & Rob had their breakfast ahead of the rest of us & Robert went to city with potatoes, 14 lb of butter, 4 1/2 doz. eggs for himself, chickens for his mother, corn for Jennie, about 6:30 when I got up, have finished 2d sofa pillow, wrapped the two for mailing, wrote a card to Mrs. Howell, mended pair of socks for Robert, put elastic into sweeping caps, brushed up, & diverted baby somewhat.

Julia has done the baking & mopped the kitchen, The men drew wood from the woods for us yesterday, and then husked corn from the field. Robert reported 217 bu as his crop (I think).

Mr. Wallace & boy came & got large load of wood. Jennie has had the engine at her place, sawing up fence rails for wood. Robert was quite late getting from city.

Nankin, Wea cloudy & dark Sat. Dec. 7, 1901

6:30 or later before anyone got up. Baby had been wakeful & cried at 3 oπclock & after. Was after 7 before I got up to stay. Aside from my chamber work etc. have spent most of the day n my room to avoid the confusion of the children. Oiled & cleaned my machine & have stitched a good deal, mostly on Juliaπs work aprons & bibs for the fair. She has been busy in the kitchen, baking bread, pies, johnnycake, cake etc., tending fires & baby. She is not feeling very well, has quite a cold, & is hoarse. She is working on the little pants for the fair & darning stockings.

I today paid her $15.00 which will pay board up to Dec. 20^th. Robt. wrote me a receipt for it. We have had no mail for 3 or 4 days, & this eve. we had Rob go for it. I sent the package & card to be mailed to Mrs. Howell & had him get 1 postal card & 8c in stamps. He was so late getting around I did not wait for him, but after reading a little, took my bath & went to bed. Had only hard water, but mollified it by putting in a little borax.

Nankin, Wea Rainy, Sun Dec. 8, 1901

Began raining the latter part of the night, I heard it when I wakened. While I was dressing Emily brought me some rainwater in a little pail to wash in, but instead I cleared out my teakettle & put it on to heat. Emily also brought up my mail that Rob got last eve. My throat is sore and quite stuffed with catarrh & my feet so painful that I thought I could not go to church, though I could have gone in the carriage. Has rained most of morning & some of the time quite hard. Robert, Rob & the two children went in the buggy.

I wanted Julia to go & let me take care of the baby, but she thought she could not leave her & she was quite hoarse and not feeling any too well herself. The minister who was to have preached in Rev. Wetmoreπs place did not appear, so after waiting an hour or so they had SS & then came home, 24 were there. Dark storm, & no evening service.

At bedtime Robert, at my request, read several selections of scripture & offered prayer.

Nankin, Snowed this p.m. Wea. Stormy, Mon. Dec. 9, 1901

Dark and threatening morning. Juliaπs woman, Mrs. Russel, got along about 9:30 to clean sitting room. They have had the carpet up & Robert cleaned it, he helped get carpet from under the stove, so they did not have to take that down. I had the baby upstairs 2 hours, she was very content & happy. I have spent some time tending her, & have sewed some work for the church fair, some aprons which Mary Pomeroy started when she was here (Juliaπs material) finished them and some other work, filled my lamps & wiped dinner dishes, cleared table, did not have time to write much. Julia had some colored washing done. Began snowing early this p.m., before night ground was covered. Read little this eve, began downstairs, but Emily so annoying I went upstairs & stayed most of the eve. & went to bed early. Julia dressed 3 chickens this eve. to make chicken pie for the fair. Robert helped her pick them.

Nankin ≠ Snowed some during night. Wea. Variable. Tues. Dec. 10, 1901

Little slow getting up, Robert has churned & helped generally. Julia has cooked chicken & made the pie for the supper, pressed the little pants, swept & done the general work. I have swept my room, & had quite a time searching among my boxes for some missing session records of Lansing church that H.W. Lawrence wanted, wrote the Cyrus Everett, Sarah sent his letter on to me, thinking I might find the documents, but I found nothing. I wiped dinner dishes & have sewed some on a skirt for myself which needed to be altered, have finished some articles for the church fair, put lace on little baby dress Julia was going to give, & have labelled them. Robert went to Inkster this eve. for the Wetmores, who are coming to fair by invitation, he also went to Wayne on errands. Was not quite dark when they arrived. Julia got tea, & got baby to sleep before going. Rob took market wagon drove over to Ollieπs, took Julia, Emily & the Wetmores & provisions, & stopped for Alice, she did not go. Robert stayed with the baby. Mr feet too painful & feet too bad to go.

I sewed most of time on my skirt.

Read little.

Nankin, Wea Lowering. Wed, Dec. 11, 1901

Behind again this a.m., as Julia & her company did not get back till about one last night. Robert Lathers Jr. took Rev. Wetmore & wife to Inkster for the car. Did not sell all the things, brought back one of the sweeping caps I sent. I sent 2 blue gingham bibs, an ironing holder, they were sold, and one cap. I have had another search for the Session Record, but no success.

Also spent some time sorting newspapers, & saving the story written by Charles M. Sheldon. This morning sprinkled some clothes for Julia, & she has ironed them.

She baked bread etc. I swept sittingroom twice, swept & dug off snow from porch & back walk, wiped dinner dishes at night, partly undressed baby & sung & rocked her to sleep. She was crying when I took her from Julia at suppertime. Have written little in diary, & read little. Robert & Rob have spent some time improving the chickensπ accommodations. Read little this eve, went to bed early.

Nankin, Thurs. Dec. 12, 1901

Folks below were up before 5 this morning. I closed my window & door & lay down again & Julia called before I was quite dressed. I cleared tables 3 times today, swept sittingroom, filled my lamp, etc. Lay down few minutes this morning & had another search amongst my boxes for the session record & some cloth I wanted for my work. I have worked on some Christmas articles most of my spare time. A sewing bag that I had well under way last year & a sofa pillow partly made a week ago. Julia has done the white washing. Robert has hung up the clothes & helped her otherwise. She & Emily went to Jennieπs this eve. on an errand. Robert has been singing the baby to sleep. Had some more mail tonight. Cyrus & Emily brought it up to me. Card from Mrs. Wetmore, she wants to borrow my sewing bag for a pattern. Weather more mild, snow melting somewhat. Have written some & read papers, played a little for baby.

Nankin, Wea Rain, Fri, Dec. 13, 1901

Rained during latter part of night, rained most of time today, some of time quite hard. We had planned to go to Wayne, but I did not feel equal to it, & gave it up. Julia was quite anxious to see Emily, and as rain slackened they started out about 11 oπclock, Robert, Julia, Baby & Cyrus. Soon began raining hard as ever. I picked up the house, & spent most of forenoon mending Robertπs drawers. Rob spent most of the day at Grandfather Lathersπs, came home at noon and I set out a lunch for him and myself. This p.m. cleaned myself up, have gathered ruffles & got the pillow together for stitching. Folks got home about 4:30. Julia went to see the milliner for me & expected to bring my bonnet home, but it was not convenient to do so.

Baby had hard & long cry tonight. I went to my room & have buttonholed the edge of sweeping cap in black.

Read a little, had Portland Insurance. From S.V. Beebe this morning.

Nankin, Sleet during night, Sat. Dec. 14, 1901, colder, storm & snow

About 6 when Robert got up. I did not get up immediately. I have cleared table 3 times today, & swept sittingroom. Have spent most of day in my room, at work on Christmas gifts. Finished the sofa pillow cover I have been making for Lottie Leonard. I worked on several needle books. Concluded to send Mrs. Wetmore the work bag I have made, for her present, as she wanted on, and sent for mine as a pattern, so tonight I have written her a note and wrapped up the bag with a bath mitten for Mr. Wetmore. Will hand him the package tomorrow. Robert has been to the city today by car on errands. While he was gone, Rob churned. He went to Wayne this p.m., but was here for all the meals. Mrs. Southwell came from city tonight. Got a ride out with Johnny. Julia has cared for butter, baked bread & pies, mopped kitchen & ironed some. I ironed my underwear tonight. Has snowed most of time today, & been quite windy. Have written this eve & had a good bath at bed time.

Nankin, Wea Fair, Sun. Dec 15, 1901

Was colder towards morning, so I had to pull up more bed clothes & get up & shut my window. Was surprised to find 3 dishes ice on my washstand ≠ washbowl mug with teeth & one other cup frozen solid. Clock stopped from cold, but Julia & children walked to church, & Robert & I rode a little later, Mrs. S. staying with baby. Service had not begun when we arrived. Julia played the organ, as Alice did not arrive until S.S. time. We sang ≥Duke St.≤, ≥Webb≤, & ≥Old Scotland≤, but not the words set to the tune (Voice of Free Grace) the best music we have had for many weeks.

Rev. Wetmore preached from Ex. 11,10, the Plagues of Egypt. After church I handed him the package I had prepared for them yesterday. He taught the Bible class at Mr. Lathersπs request. Att. 25, Coll 60c. Slim attendance on account of the cold. Mr. Wetmore reported Home Missions offering for year as $20.50 said it was much larger than last years. R., Julia & I rode to evening service. Fannie led, & Julia played. Had our lunch after we got home.

Nankin, Wea Fair, Mon. Dec. 16, 1901. ≠5 Ther

Clock struck 7 when Robert built the kitchen fire. Did not open my window last night so did not get full force of cold as night before, but there was ice floating in my Bromide bottle in cupboard, & the bread was frozen.

Robert had errands that took him 2 miles west of Wayne, went before noon & got back about 7 this evening, & since has been to see his father, who was sick last night. Julia has been up to Jennieπs this eve, Jennie was here towards night & wanted her to come. Around 10 oπclock when she & Robert returned. Julia has been working on a dress for Emily, Mrs. S. has helped her some, I guess. They have done the general work between them.

I washed out a pair of woolen stockings, minded the baby an hour or so this eve., & did some chores. Spent much of the day sewing & cutting out in my room. Have begun a wall pocket for wrapping paper for Mrs. Howell. Is some milder tonight.

Nankin, Wea Fair, Tues. Dec. 17, 1901

Heard clock strike several times, but dropped off afterward, I think I must have had a + (an attack) for when Julia called me I was very much bewildered & headachy. I dressed as quickly as I could under the circumstances, but they were eating when I got downstairs. I rested a little before going at my sewing, & then worked at the wall pocket I was making for Mrs. Howell. This p.m. dressed and went to Wayne to get a velvet bonnet I have been having made. Rob drove to Inkster & left the horse & he also went to Wayne to do some errands. Waited a few minutes at each end of the line. We found Emily Cavanagh all right. Julia Becker there, came since dinner to see the Dr., & dressed 2 large hens to take home. She and Emily too busy to go with me, so I hunted for the milliner alone. Got my bonnet & furnished the ties & feathers, did little shopping for Julia, then returned & visited little. Waited for the 4-5 car & then at Dr. bennetπs while Rob went for the mail. Roads very rough, somewhat windy, very cold. Had letter from Mrs. Howell.

Wea Fair, dec. 18, 1901, very cold.

After the considerable confusion of having breakfast, washing & dressing 3 children etc., Julia & Robert, Emily & Cyrus started for the city to do some necessary shopping. Left their horse at Inkster & took the car. They bought Julia a long cloak, Cyrus a silk & wool woven jacket, gloves for children, etc. I had Julia get me a pair of wool & cotton underdrawers & 2 pair fleece lined stockings. Think the cotton will be more acceptable to my sore feet. Am wearing my felt slippers today. I mended a pair of stockings today & wrote post card to Mrs. Howell in reply to her letter, got Rob to mail it. This p.m. have done a little finishing on a sweeping cap. Mrs. S. was so busy in kitchen doing a little washing & ironing for herself, I could not leave baby to go to my room & so did not accomplish much. About 6:00 when folks came, cold & tired, brought some mail. Mrs. S. had baby nearly asleep. I held her for a little so she could get the supper. Have had door calls from 2 pedlars today.

Nankin, Wea fair, Thurs. Dec. 19, 1901, -4 Ther

My clock stopped this morning from cold, though I did not have my window up. Was after seven when we had our breakfast. After a little Julia spoke of some work to be done, & I took it to my room. Have cut out two outing flannel dresses for baby Lillian to wear under her others for warmth, & have nearly made one. I wiped dinner dishes for Julia & have cared for baby some. Julia has worked what time she could get from baby & housework, on Emilyπs dress. Robert churned this a.m., & she, of course, had all that to care for.

This a.m. took Mrs. Southwell to Inkster to take car for city. I sent back the smaller pair of cotton hose to be exchanged for larger size, & they lost the package, Mrs. S.πs satchel came open. I had Robert get me 5 yds of light print in Inkster. This evening Jennie came, with some boys & girls to practice Christmas music & exercises, & wanted Juliaπs help. She had first to work her butter for market. Robert & Rob have picked 10 fowls to go to city. The children had gone to bed, & I rocked baby to sleep before the S.S. children came.

Nankin, Wea Fair, Fri. Dec. 20, 1901

Robert was up at 5, the rest of us about 6:30 or 7:00. My clock stopped towards morning from cold. Have wiped dishes & cleared table & done usual chamber work, worked some on aprons, a good deal of basting & some stitching (for trimming) on dress Julia is making for Emily. While Julia was mopping this a.m. baby was much in the way, & I had Rob carry her upstairs. I cared for her, got her to sleep just before 12 & she slept 1 or 2 hours. Julia sat with me a while this p.m., brought up more stitching to be done. Cyrus was also up an hour or two. After they went down I had to regulate baby ≠ she pulled the tassel off my pillow & I had to work to get it on again. Julia had a call this p.m. from Miss Montgomery, she brought a peck of apples. Ollie & Fannie were also in a little while. This evening the S.S. scholars came (more than last time) to practice. Cyrus & Emily were up, & baby also was awake till they left. There was a good deal of noise and confusion. Robert went to city with his butter & fowls & took some things for Jennie this morning.

Nankin, Wea Fair, Sat. Dec. 21, 1901. ≠10 Ther

Was after 10 when Robert returned from city last night, so was rather slow getting up this morning, after 8 when we had breakfast. I had been restless & wakeful, was up 4 times towards morning. I have swept my room, brushed up some below, filled my lamp, etc. Stitched good deal on work I basted yesterday p.m. & eve, 2 print aprons I was making for Christmas & an outing flannel dress for baby.

This p.m. sang baby to sleep, then spent 1 or 2 hours repairing Robertπs overcoat. Furnished velvet & put on a new collar. Julia baked bread & made apple dumplings for dinner from the apples Miss Montgomery brought. Robert & his man are working at the wood for home use. R. has been skinning a calf. The children have been skating some, & practicing from S.S. at Aliceπs. After Cyrus & Emily went to bed, Julia went to church to help the S.S. practicing along. I undressed baby & sang her to sleep, got her down before 8, went to my room to fix a little for Sun. Robert picked two chickens for tomorrow.

Nankin, Wea. Fair, Sun. Dec. 22, 1901, Warmer

About 7 when we got up & by the time we got around twas time to get ready for church. I did not have the time I expected to spend on SS lesson nor for my necessary physical duties. Julia had to help the children about their baths as her time last eve. was given to the SS practicing. The rest of us went to church. Robt. drove with me & got his mother. We arrived before service began. Rev. W. preached on Luck 2, 11, 12, a Christmas sermon for children. SS att. 39, coll. 48. There was a Session meeting after SS & I waited for Robert an hour or so in the small room, read a primary paper through etc., found folks nearly through dinner, as they had got tired of waiting.

Did not read much, it gets dark so early. Stayed home this eve, rocked & sang baby to sleep, & then read. Robert napped in his chair & went to bed before Julia & the children came home. I had with other mail this morning a calendar for 1901 from Vernal Beebe, Portland, Mi.

Nankin, Wea Thawing & variable, Mon. Dec. 23, 1901

We were up early this morning, as Julia had to wash, did not do it last week. She washed baby in a tub and then I dried and dressed her & since dinner got her to sleep. She slept about two hours. Yesterday she pushed the chair on which Robertπs new coat had been put to warm, against the stove, so Robert found it smoking. The right shoulder & top of sleeve were so scorched that I had to cut out piece from each & cut some from under the arm of a new vest he bought at the same time, it being the same, to mend the coat, then set some of another kind in vest. Have stitched & sewed by hand on the print apron I was making for Santa Claus. Have written 2 postal cards, & wrapped 2 packages (wrapping paper holder for Mrs. Howell & sofa pillow for Lottie & sweeping cap for Carrie L., got Robert to mail them for me when he went to Inkster this morning to meet Mrs. S.).

We went to Xmas tree entertainment at church at 8. Cyrus & Emily took part in it. I had a cheap hdkf & popcorn ball from the tree, gave the ball to Mrs. S.

Nankin, Wea variable, Tues. Dec. 24, 1901

We were up early, as Julia had good deal to do to pick things together & fix herself & the children to go to Lansing. Mrs. S. washed & dressed the baby, did the general work, & straightened up the house considerably. I brought in many of the clothes that had been out all day, but not dried much, hung them around upstairs towards night, had some hung there yesterday.

Todayπs mail brought me a card from G.B. Howe telling of an express package for me at Dearborn from Cleveland. Ch. Paid, but shall have to go & get it. Had letters from Abby Everett & pck. Containing calico apron. Have done some sweeping up & dish washing, sewing on Christmas things. Robert drove to Elm with the folks to start them for Lansing. I sent one of Wmπs books to Sarah & Cyrus & sweeping cap trimmed with lace to Sarah by Julia. Had very nice towels & greeting card from Mrs. Howell. Wrote letter to J.R. Esselstyn telling him to let Robert have $100.00 & take his note.

Nankin, Wea Fair, We. Dec. 25, 1901, Fair

Mrs. Southwell had to call Robert & rap on his door several times to get him started. Had heavy fall of snow during night, no wind, so things covered. Nearly 6 in. in some places, hedges, trees & fences well loaded. Rob & I drove to Inkster in cutter & I took car for Dearborn & hunted up express office & got my package, which was a brush broom & holder from Lottie, & little memorandum from Carrie. I mailed sweeping cap to Laura Stevenson at Adrian, & sent postal card. Cars were irregular today, & rushed by, so I had to wait at both ends of the line. Mrs. S. expected young people out from Detroit, 4 of them, but they were not to be found when I got back from Dearborn, so we started for home. When a little way on we overtook them walking. We had the cutter & took in the girls & satchels & were soon home. Had chicken pie, lemon & mince pies etc. Henry brought the mail, I gave him book & tea pot stand for his mother. I have sewed some on an apron this p.m., fine combed my head.

Nankin, Wea cloudy, Thurs Dec. 26, 1901, Mild

We were a little slow in getting round this morning. Clarence Southwell came yesterday to see his mother and visit the young folks & stayed overnight, & he and Rob have taken two loads of goods belonging to Mrs. Southwell to the old church, but inadvertently left her big rocking chair standing on the porch. Mrs. S. & Clara have done the churning to help Rob, considering his kindness in taking time to do the teaming. She has also baked bread, johnny cake, etc. I have ironed a few articles for myself and sorted out and folded the rest of my clothes. Got some ice & water from the steps & walk. Have cleared table & wiped some dishes. Have written quite a long letter to Julia in reply to a card received from Robert last night. Had a little talk with Mr. Parr at the back door & paid him for ½ gal. Kerosene bought last week. He reports his daughter better, and home at Christmas. I have sewed some, read some & played a few tunes. Miss Clara played some too.

Nankin, Wea cloudy & mild, Fri. Dec. 27, 1901

Up about 6 this morning, but Clara overslept, and we were nearly through breakfast when she appeared. She went home, & Mrs. S. also went to the city to see the Dr. They started at 9:30 & drove their own horse to Inkster, then took car. Mrs. S. got back about 4 oπclock. I got dinner for Rob & I by warming up that already cooked on sittingroom stove. Took up ashes there, & swept most of the room ≠ have filled one lamp, kept fires going, shook breadth of sittingroom carpet, bought in a few clothes Mrs. S. had hung out. Have shortened my ladies coat petticoat by a tuck & mended my gingham apron. Have done some ripping & cutting out of work for Julia. Wrote long P.S. to letter I wrote yesterday, asking her to wrap up my hanging lamp & have Robert bring it when he comes & to not let him forget Paπs picture. I sent him $1.00 to get me a pair of underdrawers.

Nankin, Wea. Sunny & mild, Sat. Dec. 28, 1901

Mrs. Southwell rapped loudly at Robπs door at 5 oπclock, I was up & dressing by 6. 6:30 when we had breakfast. Mrs. S. has spent most of her time in the kitchen. Baked mince pies, cookies, & gingerbread & worked the butter, just now is finishing up mopping.

She has gotten meals, cleaned up after them etc. I brushed up the sittingroom once this a.m., & a little once afterward. Filled my lamp, salted my towel, watered Juliaπs plants, and did some ironing for myself. Have made a yoke & put it on a pair of woolen drawers for Julia, done little mending for myself. Had letter from J.R.E. on business in reply to mine, I wrote him to let Robt. have $100.00 and take his note. He reports the MCSB paying dividend of $20.26 & sent me a N.Y. bank draft for $15.00 I sent for.

I wiped dishes for Mrs. S.

Ollie & Fannie were in and sat over an hour this eve. Rob has been to Inkster & back this eve. I have read some.

Took bath at bed time, 10:30 when I went to bed.

Nankin, cloudy ≠ no storm, Dec. 29, 1901

After 7 when we got up. Read a little, & after morning duties, dressed for church. Mrs. Southwell did not feel well enough to go, but Rob took me & we stopped for Robertπs mother. She did not expect to go, & so was not ready. He offered to return for her if she got ready, but she declined. We drove on and were nearly the first ones there. Service was late beginning because of late arrivals. Rev. W. stopped with Mrs. Stringer. His text ≠ Ps 102 ≠ 11-14. SS attendance 31. Rev. W. acted as Supt. A church social, announced to be held at John Stewartπs Wed. eve. Rob walked home & gave Ollie & Fannie a chance to ride. I had a note from Mrs. W. thanking me for the Christmas presents. Lay down this p.m. when I got too sleepy to read, at 4 oπclock. When I was wakened at 6:30 the room was dark & I was quite bewildered. Rob took Fannie & I to evening service. Jennie led, Alice was there to play. More young men attended than usual. Alice gave me a topic card.

Nankin, Sunshine, Wed, Dec. 30, 1901

I got up at 6, the others were 1/2 hour ahead of me. A beautiful, bright morning, but quite frosty. Filled my lamp & done usual chores around my room. Lay down a while for healthπs sake. Have written long letter to Vernal Beebe in answer to one recπd from him in Sept., & acknowledging receipt of the calendar. He sent me a book also. I wrapped a book ≥The Smiles of Florida≤ that had been Williamπs & this eve got Rob to drive to Inkster & I mailed them, also a letter for Mrs. Southwell. Hoped to hear some word from Lansing, but did not get any. Had card from Laura Stevenson & a letter from Cleveland acknowledging Christmas presents, sweeping cap to Anna, pillow cover to Lottie, & cap to Carrie.

Sat in my room most of the day.

Wiped dishes once, & played few tunes.

Roads somewhat muddy, but cold riding.

Nankin, Wea Fair, Tues, Dec. 31, 1901

Was nearly dressed at 6 oπclock & had a chance to read a little before breakfast. Had quite a search through my papers for a letter, finally found it in my work basket. Have written & copied quite a long letter to Flora Skinner & begun one to Cleveland. Wiped dinner dishes & have lain down twice ≠ looked over my papers a good deal & read some. Has been quite windy & cold a good part of the day. Have stayed in my room a good deal, warmer & more comfortable than below. My feet have been very painful Spent most of evening in my room, trying to plan out little work, reading some, & writing letters.