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, much cooler, Sept. 1, 1901

Was nearly 7 when I waked for the day, had been up 2 or 3 times, & dressed right away. Wiped breakfast dishes, then lay down a little, then dressed for church. Robt. & I drove, & were there in time. Mrs. Southwell didn't go. Alice was late. Mr. W. started the doxology, & began service without the first hymn.

Mr. W. preached on dealing fairly & faithfully with God, text Gen. 24,49. He made good practical application of it. A thin attendance, I think, owing to the very threatening skies, though it had not stormed. SS Att 32, coll 44¢.

Henry Lathers drove to his grandfather's for the day, think his mother came back with him. This p.m. read until I got too sleepy, then lay down for an hour. Played few tunes after supper. Robert hitched up the horse and we drove to evening service. Alice L. led & asked me to play, so I did, had a good deal of singing. Rev. W. & Robert both made remarks & partly arranged for lecture by Japanese lady student in near future. 25 present.

Nankin, Cloudy & sunshine, Mon. Sept 2d, 1901

The threshing co. who were here Saturday were around early this a.m. fixing the machinery & for finishing up. Had 3 extra men for breakfast, much to Mrs. Southwell's surprise and annoyance. She has washed the white clothes & cared for the butter, Robt. churned, done extra work, & started bread. I emptied & cleaned 5 lamps, gave Mrs. S. sal soda to boil the brass burners. Pared peaches for my dinner, the rest ate mushmelon & berry pie. Clarence has drawn a load of wood up to the back door, then dressed & took off on his bicycle without saying a word to R. or his mother about where he was going. Austin has gone to city with melons & R. has gone off somewhere since 4 o'clock. He wrote a letter to Julia yesterday. He is feeling very much better since he saw the dentist Saturday. I finished his shirt today by making 5 buttonholes & putting on buttons. Have written up diary had to lie down 2 or 3 times for my bowels sake. Everett Cavanagh came home yesterday. Robert saw him at Inkster today.

Nankin, Fair, Tues., Sept. 3d, 1901, Much warmer

Up & dressed at 6. Have brushed up sitting room & porch. Have wiped dishes 3 times, & otherwise helped Mrs. Southwell, who has done the colored wash. I put in my blue dress. She also starched some things she had washed some weeks ago. She baked bread & bread pudding. Robert was invited to dinner with Miss Montgomery and some western friends, Mr. & Mrs. Schram at Johnnie's - he went. He has picked pears & some applies, I think he sold some plums. I have spent the best part of the day in writing a long letter to Mrs. Howell at Bayview & then did not finish it. Have lain down some, & looked after some papers. Much warmer, so we sat out on the porch to night. I have had some music & read a little this eve. Robert drove to Perrinsville to see about a machine for filling silo. Henry was here for a few minutes, reports his grandfather some better.

Nankin, Wea Fair, Wed, Sept. 4, 93 Ther

6:30 when I wakened, hurried to dress, but had to be called before I finished & Mrs. S. came to my door just as I was going down. I have done usual chores, ironed quite a bit for myself and some for Mrs. Southwell. Swept path to closet, & have finished my letter to Mrs. Howell & written some besides. Robert went to city this a.m. with melons, plums, etc & was to take ducks & chickens for Jennie. I sent by him for stamps, & box of Stuart's absorbent lozenges & to mail my letter. Have wiped the dishes 3 times, this p.m. took my writing materials & work downstairs. Was so warm I sat on the porch all p.m. Hunted up piece of huck toweling & have begun pillow for church bazaar, or Xmas. Had to get Julia's to look at. Darned 3 inches across and enjoyed it. Mrs. S. read aloud to me some, from her Baptist Miss. Magazine. I finished balance of clothes & read some this eve. Took good bath at bedtime. Did not accomplish the letter writing I intended.

Nankin, Wea Fair, Thurs. Sept 5. Hot Day.

Was up at 5:45 this a.m. to make up for yesterday's deficit. Slept well, but lay awake a while this a.m. Have ironed dress for myself, wiped dishes twice. Have written letter to Mrs. Esselstyn & some in diary. Lay down a while before doing my room work. Robert returned from city about 3 o'clock - brought the Stuart's charcoal lozenges I sent for, 12 postage stamps, & 2 spools thread for Julia. In about an hour he had Austin & his brother Maurice started off with more stuff for city market, soon after he went to Wayne on errands, I sent back the envelopes he got me, to be changed for the size I wanted, & my letters to be mailed. He got letter from Julia & papers for me. He drove toPerrinsville this eve to see about silo filling. Clarence has cut corn for Robert's father today. Mrs. Southwell was sick this a.m., but is better this p.m. I have sat on parch 3 hours & worked on sofa pillow. Read some, & had little music.

Nankin, Wea Fair, Fri, Sept 6, 1901, Very hot

Up in good season, have done usual chores. Swept sitting room & large bedroom with sweeper, swept porch, & dusted some. Spent considerable time this a.m. on black shirts for Austin & Clarence, mending & altering. Mrs. Southwell has baked bread, pies & cake, stewed apples, etc. About 11 o'clock Robert drove to Elm to meet Julia & children. Train little late & steamed right by, but finally backed up & left them off. We ate out dinner & I sat on porch with C. E. World until they came, then diverted baby 1/2 hour while the others ate their dinner.

Have visited with Julia & helped around, then stretched myself out. Have made buttonholes & put buttons (24) on waist for Emily that Julia brought home unfinished. Have done little writing, but the sofa pillow has had no darning. Austin came from city, but went again this p.m. with melons. Henry came to stay the night & with Emily, Cyrus, the baby & Mrs. Southwell making a good deal of noise, I was almost wild. Sat on north side of porch as long as I dared, finally sat in my room a while before retiring.

Nankin, Wea Fair, Sat. Sept. 7, 1901. Hot!

Up at 7, after lying awake 3 or 4 hours, after some chores were done, went to Johnnie's to borrow sugar for Julia, as Robert brought her bushel of peaches yesterday & no sugar. Resumed soiled waist, & after lying down an hour pared peaches all a.m. till dinner. Julia & Mrs. Southwell have pared some & put up 16 qts or more as pickled & canned. They have done some baking. Everett C. & a boy friend came this a.m. to have a good time. They & C. & Emily were out among the fruits till 4:30, when they left for home. I sat on porch a while this p.m. & darned on sofa pillow. Have read some & tried to write, but did not accomplish much. Toward 6 o'clock had a windstorm, had to hustle & get sleeping baby & cab in out of the storm. It sprinkled a bit, I tended baby a while after supper so Julia could take a bath & see to the children.

Robert drove off to do errands, & was gone all evening. I took bath at bedtime. Cooler since the gale.

Nankin, Wea Cloudy, Sun. Sept. 8, 1901, Quite cool.

Extra clothing desirable this a.m. Have done my few chores & lain down a while, as usual looked over the lesson. Robt. drove to Inkster for Rev. Wetmore & left him at church on return, then brought horse & Mrs. S. drove to church with him, Julia staying with baby  getting the dinner. We had roast beef, peas, & some nice fruit, grapes, peaches, plums, apples, & watermelon for dessert. While we were at table Will Cavanagh came, Everett had come earlier. Rev. Wetmore made remarks about Pres. McKinley's assassination & asked that people offer prayers for him. His text was Gen. 25-31-38. I got quite drowsy, but guess I did not sleep. Rev. Wetmore taught Bible class at Mr. Lathers's request. SS att 35, coll 58¢.

Coming home overtook Fannie L., asker her to ride as far as our house. She came in & saw Julia for a few minutes. Rev. W., Robert & the children walked. We all went to evening service but Mrs. S. & children. Austin's brother Adelbert was leader. Robert drove home with Julia, & returning tool Rev. W. & Cavanaghs to car. Quite good attendance at C.E. meeting.

Nankin, Wea cloudy, Mon. Sept. 9, 1901. Cool.

Had thunder showers during night, quite muddy out before 6. Used salt towel, picked my clothes out & then ironed them, ironed about 4 o'clock. Spent a.m. from 8 o'clock until noon paring & pitting peaches for Julia to can for Emily C., she has put up for her yesterday and today. 14 came. She has baked bread, ironed a little this p.m., she has lain down 2 hours or so. Emily has taken baby to Grandma's for ride and visit - the grandfather was here this a.m. Robert did not get home to dine with us, but came soon afterward, got his load ready & started off again before 7 o'clock. Took my bank draft of $15.00 to get cashed. He brought Julia a letter from Sarah & my Republican, with word that Pres. McKinley is no worse, but rather better. This p.m. have ripped seams of blue calico dressing saque, also ripped green worsted waist little, with intent to loosen it. Have had some music, tended baby quite a bit & this eve read Republican. Wiped supper dishes for Mrs. S. Had corn & beans cooked together for dinner.

[Note: Emily Cavanagh was my mother's youngest sister. She married at 17, Will Cavanagh, a penniless, but charming Irish Catholic, they had one son, Everett, a year or two older than my sister Emily. Apparently, she was working away from home for a few months. The "14 who came to dinner" must have been silo fillers --my father had the first silo in the neighborhood, a wooden one that came in sections. (It was the only one that was never damaged by high winds.)]

Nankin, Wea. Cloudy, Wed. Sept. 11, 1901

Julia proposed to me that I go to Mrs. Stewart's on an errand, but I did not feel equal to the long walk, so she sent Emily with a note.

I finished up sitting room & porch, & after dinner wiped dishes, partly cleared table, & swept kitchen & woodshed.

Lay down a while at 9:30 went down & ate pink watermelon Julia set aside for me at breakfast.

She has ironed considerable. Mrs. S. has baked mince & apple pies, cake etc. We had green peas for dinner & 2 men to eat who came to cut corn. Clarence & Austin away at work. Robert came from city about 1, brought me my bank draft for $15.00, & 5 which I loaned him some weeks ago. He sent Austin to the city this p.m. with the melons etc.

Men came with their engine to cut ensilage for silo, came at 3:50. Have done some mending for self. E. & J. have picked & dressed 2 fowls. Julia & I went to barn to see machine up.

Will Everett drove in unexpectedly while Julia was getting supper. Had 37 bu of peaches in their load to sell. Baby had hard cry before bed time. I went to bed early.

Thur. Sept. 12, 1901

Rained hard during night, then warmer. We were a little late getting around this morning. Will Everett dallied around, to his wife's annoyance. We had a bushel of the peaches & Johnnie took one, I pared & pitted peaches all a.m. until 12 o'clock. Julia had ??? men to dinner, more than she expected. Her chicken gave out, to her chagrin, so she cooked eggs for those who did not get served at 1st table.

She had corn cut from the cob, mince pie, pickles, I had fresh peaches for my dessert. She put up 6 ½ qts this p.m. of those I pared, she baked bread & biscuits. The ensilage cutters have not done good work, stopped to sharpen machine more than once, were late getting started, & there were 4 considerable showers to slow things up. Jennie drove around & got Ollie & Fannie for Miss. Meeting. There were 6 present, they tied a comforter, it rained hard while they were there. I worked on my sofa pillow. Julia & Emily called on me in my room. 5 of the men went home for supper.

Mail brought me 3 papers, read some this eve.

Nankin, Wea. Fair, Fri. Sept. 13, 1901, Cooler today

Slept well, up soon after 6. Ensilage men not coming today. Julia & Emily have dressed 3 fowls & cooked to make chicken pie tomorrow. J. has counted & prepared eggs for market, 48 doz. Robt. started at 2 a.m. with 4 bu. Grapes, 18 bu. Melons, as usual he did not feel able to go, but thought he must.

I spent the a.m. paring & pitting peaches & J. canned most of them, part were used for supper. I had a bowl of chicken broth for mine. Everett C. came tonight when Jennie brought Henry from school, says his father is coming Sunday. I have worked on my sofa pillow & written some, made some music for baby's diversion. About 4:30 Cyrus & I walked over to Johnny's. He carried a small basket of grapes & I a dish of baked beans for their supper. Visited a while with Ollie & returned, could not get Cyrus to come with me, he stayed to supper. I wiped supper dishes. Read little this eve. but children were pretty noisy playing "I Spy". Austin has left us.

Nankin, Sat. Sept. 14, 1901, Windy & Cool

Heavy fog this a.m. Up at 6. Men got around finally to work on ensilage, 8:45 before they got running, quit at 3.

Julia has baked bread, apple pies & fried cakes. Emily pared some apples. Mrs. Southwell made this chicken pie & did some washing & Julia has ironed most of things washed. Had 12 men for dinner including our own. Julia pared apples for sauce, & Mrs. Southwell has scrubbed up around.

I stayed in sitting room all p.m. to be near the baby. Put her to sleep before 8 & she slept till 11:30. I mended Julia's waist she wanted washed & wrote long letter to Abbie Everett, read paper, & diverted baby while men were at dinner. Got her to sleep again after dinner & wiped most of dishes, took leaf out of table, arranged cloth, etc. 5 o'clock when Robert got home from city - brought paper telling of president's death about 2:00 a.m.

Robert feeling better. He & Everett & children are picking melons. Worked as long as they could see & then had to milk. Clarence had put out & left work undone. R. & Julia rode away about 8 to try to get man to help Monday.

I took bath at bed time.

Nankin, Wea Fair, Sun. Sept. 15, 1901, Very Windy

6:30 when I got up. Dressed, trimmed corns, toe and finger nails.

Lay down while before dressing for church, looked over SS lesson somewhat. Waited some minutes with my things on before horse & folks were ready to go, & then we were late. Alice L. went to city with R. & Friday & did not return, so I was asked to play. Rev. Wetmore changed his plans on hearing of the president's death & spoke on the event of the hour, text Eccl. 3,2, "A Time to Die". Played Lonvain, Chine, & Bethany tunes, all unfamiliar to me except the last one.

SS as usual, 38, coll .42.

Everett did not go to ch. Or S.S., clothes too soiled & ragged. Will C. here for a while in p.m., walked both ways, left before eve. service. Julia leader, Fannie came along early & walked with Julia & me. I was very tired & out of breath when I got there & had all I could do to sing.

Julia played.

Robert's arm so painful he did not go, said he would rather go to bed, but did go to Johnnie's on an errand.

I have not lain down this p.m.

Read C.E. World

Nankin, Wea Fair, Mon. Sept. 16, 1901, Very windy & cool

Up before 6, dressed & picked up my room somewhat before being called for breakfast. Wiped breakfast dishes. Mrs. Southwell gave the baby her bath and fixed her bottle. I fed her & got her to sleep, took care of her all a.m. Julia has, with the children's help & Mrs. Southwell's turned out & cleaned her room. Emily took the tacks out of the carpet & it has had a good flapping in the wind on the line.  They are cleaning windows, paint, etc & settling things. Julia churned & Mrs. S. did the rest.

Robert started for city at 1 or 2 this a.m. with 14 bu melons, was back by 11:30. J. Boltz picked melons part of a.m. & Robt. enough since to enable him to start out at 2:15 this p.m. with 18 bu. More. I wrote a card to Sarah for him to mail, & last night I added a little to Abbie Everett's letter & he mailed both. Have done some mending & reading while caring for the baby. Had sweet potatoes & tomatoes for dinner. Miss Harper, Miss Montgomery's niece, called this p.m. on some errand and sat a little while.

Nankin, Wea. Not the fairest. Tues. Sept. 17, 1901

Up in good season. Julia has gone to washing, & Mrs. S. finds plenty to do. I mended a waist for Cyrus, then spent 2 hours or more paring balance of peaches & they were canned. Robt. was in need of some one to help pick melons, as Clarence S. has played false and left just when he was needed the most.

Julia went after washing & helped pick melons & grapes. After she had seen him off, the children hitched horse on to Johnnie's wagon & returned it, but first went back to the woods & gathered up some rotten wood she had seen lying there to burn in the fireplace.

I swept sitting room, kitchen & part of shed while Julia was in the field at work. Have worked some on pillow, read, & tended baby.

Robt. came home before 11:00, was fearful of a frost, so went back & built fires in seven places in the melon field to have the smoke protect the vines from danger.

Nankin, Wea. Fair, Wed. Sept. 18, 1901. Cold

Was much cooler night than we have had before. I was up 4 times & lay awake some this morning. After reading a little did my ironing for the week & have done some mending for myself. Swept up part of sitting room.

While laying down before dinner Grace Stewart called to sell tickets for the Japanese entertainment we are to have at the church the 27th. Julia took some & I took one. Julia has baked bread, ironed some, with Mrs. S's help put up 3 qts tomatoes, some that Robt. brought from the city. He also bought a lot of celery, & at Julia's request I carried some ot that & a small basket of peas to Johnnie's for their dinner. Sat a few minutes. Robert came home this a.m. much earlier than usual, said if he could get started in an hour & a half he could be back tonight so all hurried to help him get off. Had 10 bu. Melons, home before 11 o'clock. Julia went out to help with the melons. She also drove the Inkster after an early tea to take some baked goods & fruit to Will Cavanagh as Emily is expected home tonight & was to bring a box of chickens for him. I have darned on sofa pillow, & tended baby considerable. Have had fire in fireplace most of the day - wiped dishes once.

Nankin. Wea. Fair. Thurs. Sept. 19, 1901. Ther cool

Up before 6. Have done usual chores. Have done quite a bit of ripping on an old dress of Emily's & am going to make her an apron out of it. Have done some brushing up & tended baby quite a bit. Worked upstairs some. Was going to sweep there this p.m. but Julia called to me to invite me out to the field where there are 4 long rows of grape vines, so left the sweeping & went with her - took my knife & helped her pick 2 bushels & there were 2 bu. already picked which Robert is to take to market. He did not need tea today.

This p.m. out slain President is to be buried at Canton, O., his birthplace. His remains have lain in state for 2 days. He died at 2:15 a.m. Sept. 14th.

Rained slightly for a while this a.m.

Robert & Johnnie Boltz worked at cutting corn today. Clarence Southwell got around to be here for supper. Read Republican some this a.m. Got Robert to take my awning down & I had to take things out of my closet & fuss good deal to get awning to stand up behind shelves.

Nankin, Cloudy & dreary most of day, Fri. Sept 29, 1901, Ther. Cool

Worked around my room a little before going down to breakfast, waked under unpleasant circumstances - wet.

Took my 5 rugs down & shook them all. Moved every article of furniture except the little book cupboard & its table & given my room a thorough cleaning & dusting, took down many things from the wall & moved some out of the room. Had quite a search through the boxes in my closet to find my new hairbrush, but no success. Have today put away fans & summer underwear.

Robert went to town today with load of melons, 4 bu grapes for us & some for Jennie.

Nankin, Wea. Fair, Sat. Sept. 21

Up at 6. When I went down found baby in her bath pan & Julia attending her. Brushed up sitting room & porch - have sewed quite a bit on a work apron for Emily.

Julia has filled the a.m. with baking, working at fruit, & ironing some. She went about 2 o'clock with Jennie to Inkster & took the car to Wayne to see Emily C. who came from Lansing recently. Took Cyrus with her, as it is his birthday, 6 years old & thus the celebration. Mrs. Southwell made a cake for him decorated with fine candy - a surprise to him.

Julia carried a basket of fruit & provisions to Emily. She reports Cyrus E. rather feebler & Sarah not much stronger. Julia has had letters from Sarah & Carrie Boothroyd.

Emily Jr. has been with Henry most of day, Mrs. S. & I have cared for baby. Ollie was in a little while at night. I wiped supper dishes for Mrs. S. Have read some, & tended baby considerable.

Took bath at bedtime as usual.

Nankin, Wea. Fair Sun. Sept. 22, 1901

Up before breakfast was down some time before it was ready. Lay down a while after my morning duties, looked over SS lesson somewhat, then got ready for church. Sat with my things on for some time waiting for Robert & Julia, we were a little late, as usual. Rev. Wetmore officiated, text Acts 20, 35.

Subject, Miss. Relief. Made some remarks on Memorial order for Pres. McKinley at beginning of service. At close of service black cards were distributed for member to sign pledge contribution to Home Missions, that Missions might be self supporting in that direction. I signed $3.00. Julia & I did not stay to S.S, thought to get dinner & rest little so as to go to Inkster this p.m. to Memorial services to be held at 2:00 p.m. at M. E. Church. Some pastor from Wayne, Rev. Shannon, preached an earnest enthusiastic sermon from Daniel 10,11. "A Man much beloved", choir of 6 sang "Lead Kindly Light", "My Faith Looks up to Thee", and "Rock of Ages".

Robert went with Julia & me, he and Emily were the only ones to attend the evening service. A beautiful day, but rather windy.

Nankin, Wea. Fair, Mon. Sept. 23, 1901

Up at 6, had lain awake about 2 ½ hours. Have picked up few dirty clothes, as Julia is going to wash. Brushed up sittingroom, & since dinner the kitchen & woodshed, also swept porch, & path to watercloset. Wiped breakfast dishes, tended baby, did little mending for myself while folks were at work.

After she lay down, I read little, & have cut articles from the Republican about the president's death & services that I wish to keep, & have written up diary.

Lay down little while in a.m.

Robert started for city about 1:30, was back before dinner.

Nankin, Wea Fair, Tues. Sept. 24, 1901. Quite windy

Up at 6:05, having slept as well as usual, a beautiful morning. Wiped breakfast & dinner dishes. Julia & Cyrus drove to Inkster this a.m., where she had arranged to meet Emily C. & Everett. They went to Detroit & had the boys fitted to new suits of clothes. Emily got a suit for herself, I believe. Julia did not find readily the san-silk which I sent for, so did not get anything for me, thought Sarah could do better in Lansing. I have tended baby some, spent a good deal of the day writing to Lottie Leonard. Robert picked melons this a.m. & was late getting to dinner, but had 20 bu. to take to city this p.m. Julia & Cyrus returned about 6:00, brought me my Republican. I read some this eve, & went to bed early. Today is the 6th Anniversary of Pa's death. I found something on my pillow this a.m. which I fear was a bed bug.

Nankin, Wea. Cloudy. Wed. Sept. 25, 1901. N.E. Wind

6:15 when I got up. Baby cried some in the night & kept others awake some. I heard her but did not stay awake. Brushed up a little, picked out and sprinkled & ironed the few things I had in the wash. Mrs. Southwell drove to Mr. Boltz with grapes this morning, & Julia, Emily, & Mrs. S. have picked 3 bu. since that Robert took to the city with 10 bu melons this p.m. He picked the peas & sent in by Cyrus & I shelled them for dinner.

I did not feel equal to picking grapes, so ended baby while the others were out. Julia had errands at Mrs. Stewart's & other places, so rode with Robert as far as the corner when he started for the city. I wiped dinner dishes, then Mrs. S. fixed bottle & we got baby off to sleep. She waked at 4, & I tended her for a time after that. Mrs. S. went to Inkster tonight with Mrs. Jennie L., she is going to Detroit, & to Pontiac tomorrow with her friends to state fair. I have done some darning on brown tissue veil & read & written a little & played some for baby, wiped dishes twice.

Nankin, Wea. Fair, Thurs. Sept 26, 1901

Were not up as early as usual this a.m., Mrs. S. being away. Clarence left before breakfast to go to fair with some of his chums. Julia made gems for breakfast. She & Emily have cut corn from the cob & canned some this a.m. & just now she has taken baby in her cab & gone to Johnnie's to do an errand. Emily & Cyrus have gone to gather hickory nuts. Robert picked melons this a.m. took 16 bu to city, with 2 or 3 bu of grapes, perhaps will take some for Jennie. Jennie was here this a.m., but forgot to bring mail & Cyrus went home with her & got my paper & one was brought by someone else.

I have swept kitchen, shed, & brushed up sittingroom & porch, filled lamps & wiped dishes, have done some darning, & worked some on sweeping caps. Have had my bed clothes airing & drying around my room most of day. Lay down for an hour or so this a.m., have killed flies, hornets, & bugs.

Nankin, Wea. Fair, Fri. Sept. 27, 1901, Windy

Heavy fog this morning. Slept quite well but wakened under unpleasant circumstances bed wet, fear I may have had a +.

Mrs. S. did not come back yesterday, as was the plan when she went away, so Julia has had extra to do. Robert was gone over last night so as to be here to this evening's lecture, he came just after we had eaten dinner. He sold 24 bu of mushmelons, 8 of which were in the city already, he took 5 bu of grapes in for Jennie. Julia had Clarence churn, she has baked bread & cake & been up to Miss Montgomery's, who is under Dr.'s care, carried her some grapes & a loaf of bread. I have swept considerably & tended baby some, sewed on sleeping caps, aired & dried my bedding around my room. Lay down an hour or two this a.m. This evening Robert, Julia, Cyrus, & I rode to church & heard Miss Tona Inby, a native Japanese lady, speak on customs of her country. Had formal wedding & tea ceremony & had dishes, costumes, etc. Light refreshments after. It was quite interesting.

[Notes: Aunty suffered from epilepsy and had quite severe fainting spells at times - always designated a spell when she had had one with an +.

Nevertheless, she was able to help quite a bit with the endless routine of a busy farm household.]

Nankin, Wea Fair, Sat. Sept. 28th, 1901. Windy

A beautiful sunrise. Changed from blue & red to blue & gold, then to purple. I saw it from the bed. Was nearly 11 when I got to bed last night & wakened about 4:15 after good sleep. Brushed up sitting room & porch, cleaned striped carpet, & later swept my room with sweeper. Have done some basting, stitching, & mending of gloves. Julia has canned 13 cans of tomatoes. Mrs. S. has baked pumpkin pie. Robert got up & caught 3 chickens before starting for the city, took also 14 bu melons, 2 of grapes, 30 doz eggs for himself, 20 doz for Jennie, 20 doz for his mother & 5 or 6 for Will Cavanagh. He got back at 5 o'clock. Soon after dinner I changed my clothes & walked up to Grandma Lathers to do an errand for Julia. Sat a while before returning. Julia has been up to see Miss Montgomery, who is sick. She also picked a bushel of grapes this p.m. Henry brought in a handful of mail at night. Is raining a little this eve. Have read little & written up diary. Took bath at bed time.

Children have gathered hickory nuts.

Nankin, Cloudy, Sunday Sept. 29, 1901, Some wind.

Rained some last night & early this a.m., pretty cloudy most of day. I lay down for 45 min or so, then dressed for church. Robert hitched up horse & put Lansing Carmina Sanctorum hymn books into the buggy. Mrs. Southwell drove to church with Cyrus & me, Emily had gone on before. Robert did not go till S.S., felt too tired & lay down at home. Julia stayed to care for baby & get dinner. I took books from buggy & girls carried them in & Rev. W. put them in small room. He preached from Dent. 17, 18 & 19, Rally Day. & Acts 2, v 7, 8, 14, 15.

Rather thin attendance.

SS Review exercise. I played one tune while Alice L. was still in other room with her class. Att. 33, coll. .45

Rev. W. read a petition at church, to be signed after S.S

Sunday RR excursion to be sent to M.C.R.R. Robert, Julia & I rode to evening service, Jennie was leader, theme "Progress of the Gospel dating from Pentecostal meetings".

Nankin, Wea. Fair, Mon. Sept 30, 1901. Quite windy at night.

The wind blew papers all around my room. Cloudy this a.m., but brightened up about 9 & has been pleasant since. Julia has washed, with help from Mrs. S. & some from Emily & also baked bread. Robert started at 2:00 a.m. with melons etc. for market, got back little before noon, in p.m. went again & returned about 10:30, took that time six or sever bu of melons that were left Saturday, & picking 3 more, also some grapes that Julia & children picked. I ironed my outing flannel nightgown, as it might be useful tonight. Have looked over several of my boxes & got patterns & materials together, cut out 2 waists to 2 underskirts and have also done some mending & some reading & writing. Lay down some this a.m. for health's sake, then did some brushing up. Alice Lathers came with some mail, & Jennie also was here for a little while.

Baby slept most all eve. in cab without being undressed. Was quite cloudy part of day, but clothes finally dried nicely.