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, Wea Fair, Fri. Nov. 1st, Windy
Baby got up quite fretful, cried good deal before I went downstairs, wakeful during day & demanding attention. I have spent some time in enlarging one of her wool shirts today, and walked to Johnnie's with the mail, sat a little & tried to get Fannie to go to Wyandotte tomorrow to the county S.S. convention with me. Thought I would take the opportunity to hunt up Cousin Addie Lazelle. Fannie said there was too much to do, she could not go. They gave me a little basket of parsnips & carrots to bring back. Julia thinks Mrs. S. will go, though she got hurt this morning by a dishpan falling on her head while in the woodshed, bled considerable & was quite swollen. I put some Hazel cream on it, guess she will feel better & able to go. Men at work in sugar beets. Robert & Cyrus quite late in coming to dinner. I wiped dinner dishes. Julia has baked bread & cake this p.m. Jennie brought the mail, she wanted Julia to help cut out a dress waist. Have picked together the things I wished to take & what I wanted to wear, wiped tea dishes, read some, took part of a bath at bed time. Had a line from W.R. Spencer yesterday.
Nankin, Detroit & Wyandotte, Wea Fair, Sat. Nov. 2, 1901
Up before 5:30, dressed for my trip, except putting on my dress & Robert had business at Inkster & drove there, so we were in good time for the 7:00 o'clock car. I got tickets from conductor, 65c worth. I paid Mrs. Southwell's expenses for accompanying me. On reaching city limits asked conductor for transfers to Fort St. line. Waited at City Hall 10 minutes or so, then started for Wyandotte. There were several people on car going to convention. Conductor let us off right on corner of M.E. Church where the convention met. We were early, so I found the treasurer & paid the $1.00 sent by the S.S. & took his receipt for it.
Opened by singing several pieces from Pentecostal Hymns, lively, good music. I stayed till about 11:30, then went & hunted up Addie Lazelle. Had not been able to send her any word, & she did not know me.
Carried her one of Aunt Betsy's teaspoons & took pictures of Sarah & Pa to show her & Sallie's & Flora's letters to read. She has two nice boys, Frank and George, and a nice husband, was glad to see me & had a good visit. About 3 returned to convention, car was very full coming home. Waited a little for Robert at Inkster. Colder tonight.
Nankin, Wea. Variable, Sun. Nov. 3, 1901
Were all so tired last night did not get up as early as usual. I partly dressed for church on rising. Lay down for a while, did usual chores.
Julia, Robert & I rode to church & were little late as usual. Were singing first hymn when I went in.
Rev. Wetmore had 3 texts, all in Gen. 42, 19-44:33-45-5. He preached about how we should conduct ourselves when unjustly accused. Sermon was mostly illustrations.
Sunday school rather thin. 27 - coll 26¢
Robert spoke of 2 of their no. having attended the county S.S. convention the day before, & asked me to make a report, but I did not expect to be asked & had none prepared, so declined. They arranged to pay me the dollar I had advanced & elected Mrs. Jennie Lathers & Mrs. Wm. Lathers delegates to the State Convention at Ann Arbor next week. Julia, Robert & Emily drove to Wayne this p.m. to see Cyrus. Mr. Wetmore brought note from Emily to Julia that they wanted to see them. Rainy & windy this eve. No one went to church.
Nankin, Wea Variable, Mon. Nov. 4 1901, Blizzard
Got up at 6. Picked up dirty clothes & straightened my room. Brushed up sittingroom, & tended baby during forenoon. Got her to sleep in my lap & did my chores while she was asleep. Have straightened up my diary. Spent some time trying to cut Cyrus a pair of drawers out of old underwear, but he has been in the house all day, and kept up such a clatter that I did not work very advantageously & had to take it out. Julia did part of washing this p.m. Drove to Inkster to meet Cyrus & go with him to Detroit to see another Dr., hunt up lodgings, etc. & see him fixed. He has concluded to try another rheumatism cure. Saw this Dr. at Plymouth Saturday after he & Sarah had started for Lansing, but decided to stay another week & try the cure. Robert went to Wayne this a.m. to confer with him, & brought Sarah back with him. Has been a blustery day. Several snow squalls. Robert & Rob spent good part of evening greasing wagon & preparing load for market, also went to Jennie's to fix a load, as Henry is going with Robert.
Nankin, Wea. Fair, Tues. Nov. 5, 1901, Cold
Up before 6, having lain awake most of time since before 1. Just before 4 Robert started for city with load of potatoes & Henry went with him on a smaller load for himself. This p.m. gave Henry receipt rec'd at convention for $1.00 pd. By Nankin S.S.
Rob went to city to get new suit clothes. Had 4 hands at work at the beets part of the day, Mrs. Southwell did not expect them, but got along very well. Sarah has ironed & helped about work generally, then went to hickory tree & got a few nuts. She minded the baby some too. On Rob's return from city, he drove to Inkster with Sarah to get Julia. She & Cyrus came to Wayne instead of remaining in Detroit as the Dr. was coming near there & would treat Cyrus there. I got Ma's shawl for Sarah to wear as it was quite cold, & Julia had worn her cape. The men found it so cold they only worked part of a day. Julia brought mail, I had a letter from J.R. Esselstyn with bank draft & advice. Says Mrs. E. is suffering with rheumatism. Have read some this eve. & wiped dishes today.
Nankin, Wea. Cloudy, Wed. Nov. 6, 1901, Windy, 24
Up at 6, had lain awake some time. Done usual duties & repaired blue waist, lay down few minutes, gave my head fine combing etc. After dinner wiped dishes & went to Johnnie's with mail. Took baby along for the air. Cyrus overtook me before I got there, found Ollie mopping. She sat a few minutes & then finished. They urged me to stay, but I returned in about 20 minutes. Spent balance of p.m. & most all eve. (when not tending baby) she has been very uneasy & this eve. irritable. Slept very little, though Mrs. S, Julia & I all tried to get her to sleep & did once, but did not stay. I sewed some on Cyrus's drawers & some on baby's shirt. At noon when Bob came from Work. The bay mare ran away and cut around the house, knocking over the pump, bumping against the piazza, broke one post and the hay rake to which she was attached against bay window, shaking whole house. Found blossoms on the narcissus when I went to bed. Only one man working on beets today - Robert.
Nankin, Thurs. Nov. 7, 1901
We were a little slow getting up. I slept better than for some nights past. Baby very wakeful & got up with fever & bad cold in the head. I have tended her some. Wiped tea dishes. Right after dinner I dressed, & Mrs. S. & I drove to the church to Miss. Meeting. Ollie & Fannie walked on ahead with quilt frames & were getting a comforter on them when we arrived. There were 9 of us in all. We tied & tufted the comforter & Ollie & Fannie took it home to finish it, went part of the way in our buggy. Julia could not attend because of the baby and some extra work, so Mrs. Proctor as vice president conducted some devotions, reading 24th Psalm & she & Mrs. Wm. Lathers leading in prayer. Then there was some business talked over, (mainly the coming church fair) & we adjourned. Have sewed some, tended baby & read my Republican.
Jennie & Henry were over a while this eve, brought little mail & a note from Emily C. inviting Julia down there tomorrow, to meet Cyrus & Sarah once more. They intend to start for Lansing Saturday. Mary Pomeroy is coming to E.C.'s tomorrow. Julia invited me to go with her.
Nankin, Wea. Fair, Fri. Nov. 8, 1901
We were up earlier than usual. I had lamp to dress by, slept better than usual. Men coming to work at sugar beets. As soon as Julia could get around the work and get Emily off to school, we started for Wayne. Car came along just as we got to Inkster, but rather than wait for another we drove all the way. We carried a can of buttermilk for Emily. Julia thought we had better do our errands first, as they would be busy about the dinner. She went to the milliner's & got her hat, I to the bank, where I got my draft cashed & paid her $20.00 for 8 weeks rent. (Robert wrote me a receipt this eve.) to the drug store, & then to the dentist's with me. Cyrus got out, and somehow hobbled to the barber's & got a haircut. We had a nice visit with Mary P. & the others. Julia had several errands to do in Inkster, so started early. I went ahead on the car ½ hour or so & waited for her at Dr. Bennet's. Mary P. went on the car to Ypsilanti. We went to the waiting room together, but my car came first.
Have worked some on sofa pillow.
Wiped dinner dishes for Sarah.
[Notes: The milliner's where my mother went was run by the Misses Mitchell. The younger, livelier sister waited on customers, the plain sister trimmed hats in the back room.
Untrimmed hats were displayed in the window, you selected your shape and Miss Mitchell advised you as to trimming, or retrimmed an old hat if circumstances required it. Mary Pomeroy was Grandma Everett's first cousin, and lived in Ypsilanti with her daughter, Julia Becker.]
Nankin, Wea. Fair, Sat. Nov. 9, 1901
Baby slept better last night, though she seemed threatened with croup. We were up early, had breakfast by lamplight. Some dogs got into the cellarway during the night, and made a great noise. Have swept my room, dug out cracks in closet floor, & dusted & slicked up considerable. Have darned good deal on sofa pillow & mended my corset, & did some stitching on a pair of drawers I planned for Cyrus & a shirt for baby. The men have been here with an engine threshing out clover seed for Robert & have now driven on to a new place, I guess Jennie's. Robert & his man have just driven off with 2 more loads of sugar beets. I think he put them in the car. He chartered a car this morning which he intends to fill at Inkster. He has 5 men working in the field, that many were here to dinner & will probably be her to supper.
Threshers finished at Jennie's, but brought their engine over here to be kept until next week. I finished baby's shirt this eve. & have read a little.
Had good bath at bed time.
Nankin, Wea Fair, Sun. Nov. 10, 1901
Was nearly 7 when I got up, the others were not very far ahead of me. Lay down few minutes after doing my morning duties & then dressed for church. Julia stayed with baby & got dinner & Robert drove to church with Mrs. S. & me, the children having walked ahead. We were early, & when we got to church Robert went back for his mother. Rev. Wetmore preached from Gen. 39,2. Sermon addressed especially to young men. Congregation quite thin for such a fine day. S.S. as usual, Att. 28, coll. 49.
Alice L. made poor work with the church music, that for S.S. was some better. Robert & Julia, Cyrus & I rode to evening meeting. Mrs. Wm. Lathers was leader. She asked Julia to preside at the organ (as Alice was not there) and she did so. The subject was Temperance Hab. 1, 13-17. Mrs. Lathers had written questions & given them out to be answered. Mine was &#quot;What is the expense of liquor drinking for 1 year, to the U.S. Ans. $1,173-(?)". Has been a beautiful sunshiny day, rather warmer tonight.
Nankin, Wea Stormy. Mon. Nov. 11
Rained considerable latter part of night & showered several times during the day. We have done our usual duties & I lay down a few minutes. Have looked over a lot of Republicans to save the story "His Brother's Keeper" & some other bits for my scrap book. Julia & Robert started about 9 o'clock for Detroit. Left here in buggy, Emily had previously been carried to school, roads very muddy. Julia was to do some shopping & help Robert select coat & vest. They took butter & eggs. They were hindered somewhat, so they were till about 9 o'clock getting home, so missed many of the showers. I sewed on some buttons & hooks, but spent my time on the sofa pillow, about 5 hours, wiped dishes twice for Mrs. S. & diverted the baby somewhat when I could not see to sew any more.
Our folks have churned with some difficulty. They came home yesterday by Rev. Hobart's in Dearborn, & stayed there to tea. Had left their horse there in the morning.
Nankin, Wea Stormy. Tues. Nov. 12, 1901
I was slow to wake up this morning, did not hear when Julia called, consequently when I went down they were through with breakfast, even worship; but the children were not dressed yet. I have swept the sittingroom, parlor, bedroom, stirway, porch, & some in kitchen & shaken & aired 5 of Julia's rugs. I sung & rocked baby to sleep this a.m. & wiped the dinner dishes for Mrs. S. Julia has washed. Robert hung out the clothes & helped her otherwise. A very cold & windy day, snowed some once, but ground to wet & cold to be whitened.
Robert & his men drew 4 loads of sugar beets to Inkster & have worked in the field some this p.m.
They also drew some wood to the house. They caught a hen tonight. Robert killed it & picked the feathers off. Robert is not feeling well tonight & has gone to bed. Baby is asking for a good deal of attention & Julia has put her to bed with Robert, now she is crying very loud and angrily. Julia is out dressing the chicken, a large one, 8 1/2 lb. live weight.
Nankin, Wea. Sunshine & clouds - Wed. Nov. 13, 1901
This morning it was the family who were slow to get up. 6:15 when I got up, I had waited to hear their movements. I lighted my lamp in the night to see what time it was - 3:45, but soon put it out and got to bed again. Did not wish to be late to breakfast. Have swept woodshed & back walk & brushed up oilcloth in my room with small damp broom & done my usual morning duties. Lay down & read a little, cut out few articles to save for my scrapbook. I wiped dinner dishes & played few tunes for baby to quiet her when she cried from a bump. Sprinkled my clothes. Robert has 3 extra hands working at sugar beets. Have done some mending for myself & worked on sofa pillow. Cut out a white rough cloth saque for the baby, basted & stitched a little, made my pattern from an old garment.
Mrs. Wm. Lathers & Mrs. Jennie went to Ann Arbor to attend the State S.S. Convention. Henry came here to stay tonight.
Nankin, Wea. Variable, Thurs. Nov. 14, 1901
I was up by 5:30, had to dress by lamplight. We took breakfast soon after 6. I have taken most of the things from my green chest & aired the skirts & blanket but so very windy I could not keep them pinned on the line, so brought them in sooner than I would & hung them around my room. Have ironed the clothes I had ready, but left the others to e starched with next week's clothes.
Julia & Mrs. S. have done some baking, ironing & sewing & got the meals for 3 extra men. Robert & his men have drawn 4 large loads of beets to the car at Inkster. Ida Proctor Hough called this p.m. & returned the ice cream freezer. Julia put up school lunch for Henry. At 4 o'clock she went to Inkster to meet the S.S. delegates (Jennie & Mrs. Wm. Lathers).
Nankin, Wea. Variable, Fri. Nov. 15, Windy & cold
All up in good season. Cloudy & gloomy. I have done the usual morning chores. Have darned some stockings and gloves for myself & spent some hours darning silk into the sofa pillow & basted on the ruffle for one. Have spent most of the day in my room at work on the 2d sofa pillow, for the Lansing Ladies' Bazaar. Lay down a few minutes, read a little when not basting on my ruffle. Played some for baby when she would not go to sleep for the others. Julia & Mrs. S. have sewed some, but spent most of the day on housework. Robert & Rob have drawn 6 large loads of sugar beets to Inkster. A day or so ago, Mrs. S. drove there to see if a car could be obtained for Robert to fill - she secured one. Ollie & Fannie were here for a while this p.m. & Alice Lathers called to inquire about the merits of the carpet sweeper. Has been cloudy most of day, have had several light snow flurries. I had business letter from J.R. Esselstyn & Julia had one from her mother.
Nankin, Sat. Nov. 16, 1901
Was dressing when clock struck 6. Stirred around my room quite a bit before breakfast, pumped rainwater & carried upstairs, filled my lamps, & have changed the hang of pictures so as to allow a clock shelf to be set up when Robt. has time. Ha has churned since & he & Rob have gone to Inkster with the 3d & 4th loads of beets for today, but they are all dug & topped, so there are no extra men today.
Julia has baked bread, pumpkin pie, etc & Mrs. S. has gone to Inkster to meet some friends of hers.
Emily went to Jennie's & got her horse & led her back - Cyrus went to Inkster with Robert this a.m., on a load of beets, but is home this p.m. & noisy enough. Ollie & Fannie were here an hour or so since dinner. Miss Montgomery was here this a.m. to get buttermilk, & sat a while. At Julia's request, sewed the buttons on Robert's new coat & vest. Have worked on sofa pillow. Mr. & Mrs. Colton came from Detroit to Inkster & Mrs. Southwell brought them from there.
Read a little, & took bath before going to bed.
Nankin, Wea Sunshiny, Sun. Nov. 17, 1901
We were a little later getting up than usual. I did my usual chores & dressed for church. Mr. Colton came out from the city this a.m., had a ride given him from Inkster. Robert not feeling well, did not go to church this a.m. Miss Colton went with the children and me. Emily drove, & after letting us out, drove back for Grandma Lathers. Julia not ready, & came on a little later. The clock was troublesome about stopping, & many were late. Rev. W'' text -Acts 22,10. He announced Thanksgiving to be next Thursday. He acted a Supt. For the S.S. & Wm. L. taught Robert's class. Att. at S.S. 35, Coll. 57¢.
I spent most of p.m. in my room, but did not go to sleep. Baby troublesome tonight, so Julia did not go out. Robert was to lead the meeting, so Emily & I drove to church & Rob took the horse & carried Mr. Colton to Inkster to meet the car, his wife & daughter going to stay until morning. Rob did not return in time to get us, so we walked home. Grace Stewart played the organ for meeting - quite good attendance. Rom. 10-13-17.
Nankin, Clouds - Mon. Nov. 18, 1901 - sunshine
Was up in good season. Robert & Rob eating breakfast when I got down, but Julia had not had time to prepare properly, so she, Mrs. S. & the children, company & I ate later.
Mrs. S. went to Inkster to take company to the car about 9 o'clock. She did some errands for Julia, & got the mail. Robert & Rob have between them loaded & drawn 4 loads of sugar beets to the car at Inkster.
Julia & Mrs. S. have partly put together a meal - 4 mince pies apart from general housework. Have worked on some small pants. I have worked on sofa pillow - darned good deal on it, & stitched some. Bought a pair of black woolen stockings from a pedlar who came just before noon. Have tended baby some & read some, helped some about the table work.
Nankin, Wea Cloudy - Tues. Nov. 19, 1901
I heard clock strike till 4 & all after that till 6. Robert has made the clock 1/2 hour slower. I was up and ready when called to breakfast. I wiped part of breakfast dishes, filled & cleaned my lamp, pumped rainwater & carried some upstairs, picked up dirty clothes, & when they were ready, hung all out but 2 pieces of flannel. Was quite cold & windy. I thought too hard for Julia to go out after doing the washing. Mrs. Southwell feeling rather lame, but has done the general work & taken care of baby part of time. She baked Johnny cake for dinner, and is now (3:30) making cookies.
Robert & Rob have drawn beets to the car at Inkster, this p.m. Robert went to Inkster to get the horse shod, Julia went too, is going to Wayne for a short visit while R. is getting his errands done. Cyrus went with them - baby has gone to sleep. I have worked on sofa pillow all my spare time today.
Have tended baby some, read some, helped some about the table work.
Nankin, Cloudy, Wed. Nov. 20, 1901
Was up promptly, have done my usual morning work, & ironed part of my clothes. At Julia's request, patched a pair of pants for Cyrus in the seat.
I have buttonholed nearly 4 breadths of ruffling for sofa pillow (made a beginning yesterday). Julia has done the balance of the washing, about 1/2, that did not get done yesterday. This p.m. she came up to my room to show me some remains of old pants cloth & see if I did not want to plan & cut out some child's petticoats that might be sold at coming church fair. She & Mrs. S. have cut out & sewed a pair of little pants for same purpose. I showed her my material & talked about a hat. She sat a visited few minutes. Robert & Rob have drawn 4 loads of beets as usual. Robt. started with one just as supper was ready, but not eating until his return, after 9 p.m. I have mended, read, played melodeon, & sung to baby for a long time this eve.
Nankin, Wea Sunshine, Thurs. Nov. 21, 1901
Was nervous, & late getting to sleep last part of night. Lay down few minutes after part of morning work was done. Have hunted through a lot of newspapers to find report of sale of real estate by receiver, May. Over $6000 worth - enclosed it in a letter & sent to J.R. Esselstyn this a.m. Cared for baby some. Wiped dinner dishes & about 2:25 Mrs. S., Julia, baby & I rode over to Mrs. Stewart's (having had an invitation). I did some visiting & helped about tying a comforter (for benefit of Miss. Soc.) found Mrs. Jennie Lathers there helping Mrs. Stewart spread batting etc. Jennie had to leave in time to go to Inkster for Henry. Julia had her take our horse rather than go for her own. She did some errands at Inkster for Julia. Emily came there from school & we stayed to tea. When we got home (little before 7) found Robert, Rob & Cyrus eating the supper they had gotten - onions & cheese.
I tended baby some, but was very tired & sleepy & went to bed early. Robert & Rob have drawn 3 loads of beets & loaded more, also potatoes for tomorrow.
Nankin, Wea Variable, Fri. Nov. 22, 1901
Slept more soundly last night, about 6 when I wakened & lighted my lamp. Got right up, when I got down Robert had eaten his breakfast, & after while started for city with load of potatoes. The others of us at later. I did not lay down, but aside from my morning work spent my a.m. on the child's petticoat. Considerable piecing & pressing to do. Wrote some in diary.
Have cut linings & ruffles of yellow cambric for the sofa pillow. Sewed ruffles up overhand & basted hems on them. Worked some on it this eve.
Julia walked down to Jennie's this eve. but not finding her at home, went to Grandma Lathers's & sat an hour or so with her. Has been raining this eve. Was 10 o'clock when Robert returned from city. Rob drew 2 loads of sugar beets while Robert was gone.
Was tired & went to bed early.
Nankin, Wea. Rainy, Sat. Nov. 23, 1901
Rained considerable during night, & still at it this a.m. I have done my usual work. Have ripped 2 underarm seams on my grey cashmere dress waist & let it out over an inch & got it together again. This p.m. & evening worked on child's skirt, & stitched several yards on sofa pillow, ruffles I basted yesterday. Have tended baby some & read a little.
Julia has baked bread & pumpkin, apple & mince pies, & dressed & cooked a chicken for tomorrow, mopped kitchen etc. Mrs. S. has done considerable at sweeping & dusting.
We expect to entertain Rev. Wetmore tomorrow. Robert & Rob have gotten up some wood, 3 cords or so from the woods, this p.m. Went to Inkster to attend a horse sale. Toward night drove home the 3 horses, western ones Robert bought for himself. Have taken more cold today as the fire was not very vigorous, but it was better this eve & I took a good bath at bed time.
Nankin, Wea. Cloudy, but no storm. Sun. Nov. 24, 1901
Slept well, got up at 7 - partly dressed for church, laid things out before going downstairs. After the usual morning routine lay down few minutes, looked at S.S. lesson. Rob drove to Inkster for Mr. Wetmore, & returned early, bringing Emily Cavanagh. Took me to church 20 min. early, then drove back towards Inkster to pick up Will Cavanagh as the buggy would not hold them all. Everett did not come. Cyrus & I, Rev. W. & Mrs. Stuart were the only ones there for a while, so I played a few tunes until others came. Thin attendance, roads so bad. Rev. W. preached Thanksgiving sermon from texts - Chron. 29,13, & Acts 14,17. Alice made very clumsy work with the music.
SS att. 27, coll $1.23, a Thanksgiving offering for the boys' school at Ashville, N.C.
Mrs. S. took care of baby, & baked a chicken pie for dinner.
I played few tunes and we sang some this p.m. The Cavanaghs started for the car about 6, Rob drove them. Mrs. S. drove this p.m. to see Clarence. Julia, Robert & Rev. W. went to evening service. I stayed & read paper, after 10 when we retired.
Nankin, Wea. Variable, Mon. Nov. 25, 1901, windy
Did not get to sleep till 2:00 this a.m., then woke at 5:30. Was very nervous from the confusion & ill conduct of the children last night. Mrs. S. took Rev. Wetmore to car, as Robert & Rob were very busy fixing pump. I filled & cleaned Julia's lamps - swept sittingroom & walk in back yard, took up ashes from sittingroom stove, hung out few clothes, Robert hung most of them. Julia washed, & Mrs. S. has done general work. Cared for baby a good deal, starched clothes, etc. Robert has drawn 2 loads sugar beets. I have sewed some on child's skirt & wrote 2 post cards to Mary Pomeroy & Mrs. H. & written up diary. Have not felt very well, lay down twice. Has been a very windy raw forbidding day.
Had call from Cyrus in my room, he brought me the Saturday paper. At his request, read him the story of Samson. Visited & read some this eve, but got so sleepy I went to bed early.
Rob started with 3 loads sugar beets left one load part way & came back for it, the horses would not pull them. Robert put potatoes into cellar this eve.
Nankin, Tues, Nov. 26, 1901, Windy
Slept much better, got up just before 6. Very windy and cold & snowing some. Sprinkled few clothes, some that were washed two weeks ago & waited for starching, this p.m. ironed them. Have had everything out of my green chest, looking for dress waist & pieces. Opened my furs & aired them, & some of the woolen things. Thinking to lengthen my plaid dress, but did not get time to do anything about it. Brushed up oilcloth in my room & some in sitting room, porch, etc. Had letters from Mrs. Howell & Lottie Leonard, have written some in diary, cared for baby & this eve. read some. Julia & Mrs. Southwell have ironed considerable & mended some, & done general work. Rob drew the load of beets to Inkster that he left part way last night & he & Robert have drawn more, I think this p.m., 4 loads, which finishes up the hauling & Robert has settled up. He was late getting home, but has churned this eve. because too busy this morning. Has repaired pump somewhat, & reports the cistern empty. Wiped the supper dishes from Julia.
Nankin, a.m. Sunshine, p.m. clouds, Wea. Windy, Wed. Nov. 27, 1901, cold
We were a little late getting around this a.m. but I was downstairs quite a while before breakfast was ready. Filled my lamp, sewed on the skirt before going about any morning chores. Have given my room a thorough cleaning, swept, dusted, shook rugs & beat cushions. Took down many things, & took many out of the room. Got Robert to put up my clock shelf, but he did not get it just right, for I have had much trouble getting it to go. Julia has baked bread, cake & johnny cake & since supper has dressed a chicken to sue after Thanksgiving. Has cooked corn for the chickens & has sewed some, besides general work. Mrs. S. has done considerable at packing up her things to move. Clarence did not come to help her, so Robert very kindly gave her Rob's time this a.m. He got the boxes in & brought things downstairs, & helped pack. He has gone to city tonight to stay tomorrow. Robert has brought up a load of wood from the woods this p.m. & they have put more potatoes in the cellar. I lay down a while towards night, & basted a little on my work, & read a little this eve.
Nankin, a.m. Sunshine, p.m. clouds. Wea Windy, Thurs. Nov. 28, 1901 Thanksgiving
We were up in good season. Clarence S. got around before breakfast to help his mother do the packing he has failed on for so many days. Mrs. S. cooked the chicken Julia dressed last night for their dinner. As soon as work would allow, we started for Wayne for Thanksgiving, Julia & the three children in one buggy at 9:30, Robert & I in the open buggy at 10:00. Was windy & quite cold going west, got out & wore my plush coat for first time this year.
Found Mary Pomeroy & Julia B. at Emily's. Julia came yesterday morning & helped Emily. Had nice dinner. Chicken pie, scalloped oysters, celery, cranberries, cabbage salad, pickled peaches, mashed potatoes & coffee. Julia B. & Emily served it. Mary P. showed us some slippers, rubbers, etc. that she had just bought there in Wayne, so I walked down with Robert & got felt slippers for myself, & Robert shoes for himself.
I found millinery shop closed, so left materials with Emily till I should go again. Children & Robert went to see football this p.m., we visited, & Mary Pomeroy went home with us, Emily Jr. stayed to visit.
We got home just before dark, little warmer. We did not go by Inkster either way.
Nankin, Wea Cloudy & gloomy, Fri. Nov. 29, 1901
Was so tired and nervous I was until 1 getting to sleep. Baby was wakeful & noisy too. Have done the usual. Robert & Rob have cleaned the cistern & worked in field of cornstalks driving them to barn to be husked.
Julia & Mrs. S. have done general work, Mrs. S. has worked hard for herself this p.m. Julia drove the Inkster with her to take car for city. Julia got mail this eve. Ollie was in to get hers. I had a line from Mr. Esselstyn enclosing a draft for $25.00 as requested. Says Mrs. E. is some better. Julia took baby with her when she drove to Inkster. Cyrus was with his father in the field part of the time and Mary & I were here alone. I have spent my spare time today on the two children's skirts Julia is having me make for the church fair, so much contriving & piecing necessary that I do not progress very fast. Mary P. has worked on print apron for same purpose. Yesterday I gathered good deal for ruffle on Lansing --Howell sofa pillows. Read a little & visited this eve., played for baby & tended her some. Julia dressed another chicken.
Nankin, Wea Fair, Sat. Nov. 30, 1901, wea warmer
We were a little slow getting up, nearly 7 when I lighted my lamp, but got right up & was in good time for breakfast. Have done morning chores, brushed up some, cleared the table etc. Robert has churned & he & Rob have worked in the field this a.m. Julia has baked bread, cooked chicken, boiled beets for the chickens, fried cakes etc., swept, looked after butter & the baby. We had hickory nuts for our dessert this noon. While we were at dinner Wm. Lathers called on business, had butchered a large pig & was selling some of it. Robert took 9 lb. Soon after dinner Robert drove to I. with Mary P. to get Emily Jr. Didn't know but he might go to Wayne on errands this p.m. I have worked on band to one skirt, have pieced & pressed on the other, now must slick up & sew more on it. My feet are quite painful today. It is sunny and pleasant out. Julia & Robert have worked the butter this eve. Children have had their baths. I read a little, & retired early.