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1858!!!
Jan. lst.
A beautiful day. Miss Vallant and I take a nice long walk. Am invited to Ellen Bankhead's wedding the 5th of January. Finish little Ellen a red cloak made a la Red Riding Hood. We intend taking the young lady out some with us this winter.
Jan. 3-9
A sermon from Mr. Butler....Miss Vallant leaves us on Monday. I go as far as town with her. Have a peep at brother Jim and Lizzie. Call to see sister Betty who is poorly. Our maid, Kitty, goes out of office this week and Aunt Eliza takes her place. Don't we have scrubbing and brushing but a new broom sweeps clean. Read the lst vol of Henry Mitour, commence Gibbons' Rome, Read Longfellow's Evangeline, a beautiful example of patience. Sue and I call at the University to see Kate Whitehead and Lizzie Barton. Take dinner with Lotty Sinclair and bring Lizzie Dee home with us. A letter from Tom Davis.
Jan. 10-16
Hear Mr. Boyden [preach] ....Stay in with sister Betty. Sunday night hear a sermon from Mr. Butler. On Wednesday I'm much frightened to find I've been exposed to measles. My maid Louisa has them and was in the house until they were fully out, we not knowing what was the matter. Well I can't go home until I see whether I'm going to have them for it would never do to give them to all those children so I must bear it with patience for I know I will be well taken care of if I am sick. A quiet but pleasant week. Sister Betty very unwell, I feel so uneasy about her. [Sister Betty was once again pregnant.] Have lots of notes from home. The good folks are all so sorry for me, it is indeed a hard trial to me but it must be all for the best. A letter from Aunt Ria. Saturday night I came near having the blues, one consequence of Lizzie not coming near me all the week, expect this was a slight mixture of homesickness and stress. Attend the burial of Mr. Meade's little baby, Betsy.
Jan. 17-23
A beautiful sermon from Mr. Meade....Mr. Butler at night gave us an ending to a sermon he preached some Sundays ago ....Go up to Dr. Leitch's to spend a few days. Cousin Lou and I have pleasant times together. We take a walk to Orange Dale and then make a number of calls. Have the Prussians to tea. Giny and I are much entertained. Decline going back to Mr. Browns this week as I hear the two youngest children have the measles and I have felt no symptoms as yet. Hope I may come off free and conclude with cousin Lou's invitation to finish out my quarantine at Dr. Leitch's. Monday if I'm still well has been fixed upon for me to go home.
Jan. 24-31
Mr. Stack [preaches] in the morning ....At night a sermon from Mr. Butler....Daddy comes for me early Monday morning but Dr. Leitch thinks I had best stay a day or so longer. How disappointed I am. Mary Walker is at home and will stay for a week and to think I won't see her. Daddy has hardly left before I begin to feel badly. However, in the evening I feel well enough to go to the Town Hall to see a collection of Paintings. They are pretty but not very fine specimens. Tuesday morning in bed with measles. Remain there for a whole week. See a good deal of the old folks from home; the younger ones are forbidded to come near me. The disease makes me feel very sick but Dr. Leitch and Cousin Lou say they are not hurting me. What a kind heart cousin Isabella Leitch has; she comes to see me every day. Cousin Lou says I'm a great patient. She and the Doctor are as kind as possible to me. I don't think I could have chosen a better place to be sick away from home. No one could be better nursed and Mary Anne is such a good Mammy.
Jan. 31-Feb. 6
I'm up this week. Brother Jim calls. He is very deaf. Suffer much with headaches and earaches from the measles which affect my hearing. Get down in the sitting room by Saturday. Found myself reading, sewing and entertaining callers. Bad news from home. Poor Bruno has met with an untimely fate; was killed by a tree falling upon him while with the servants in the mountains. He was a dear old dog and we will miss him much on our walks and romps. Poor Sue, I know her heart is heavy at the loss of her pet. Little Dick very sick and Dr. Leitch goes to see him and puts a blister on his back, a severe remedy for so young a child. Ellen is also sick.
Feb. 7-13
Not able to attend church. Dine with Cousin Isabella this week. I'm still very poorly. Suffer much with my head. Have several visits from Charlotte who is staying in town. Friday, Daddy comes for me and although it is snowing we set off. Find the Pantopians right glad to see me and I feel so thankful to be among them once more. It seems regretful after all the kindness I've received from cousin Lou and her household to be so anxious to get away from them, but it was not because I was not fond of them but, "It's home, it's home I fain would be." Little Dick is much better though he has fallen off very much. While in town read the following books, Life of Mr. Jackson, Boys at Home, a child's book but very entertaining, Rose Clark by Fanny Fern and the following by C.B. Taylor: May You Like It, Thankfulness, Earnestness, Anael's Song, Margaret or The Pearl, Record of a Good Man's Life, Mark Wilson. Beautiful books all of them. I attend Ellen Adams marriage in the Episcopal Church on the 19th of Jan. The groom, Mr. Price, was my cousin. Had letters while away from S.P. Williamson, B. Bankhead, Lizzie Dee and Jimmy L. He sends me a tuft of Pluto's fuzz with a blue ribbon. Quite a fall of snow this week. Fear our chances for getting ice are bad. Oh, to think of the long, hot summer without any!
Feb. 14-20
No church. Finish reading Eliajah the Gishbit. Sister Betty has another son born last night, Saturday, 13th. I'm puzzled about a name for the young man unless she goes back to the old Dutch ancester and calls him Doodes. Hear the marrying man [Louisa's cousin, Henry Lewis] is positively to be "off the carpet" next week. Sue, Mary Lewis, Jim and I have an invite to the affair at Glen Castle [the Creek Farm] on the 25th. Mary Lewis at home. Jim goes to Richmond on Friday to see the inauguration of the statue of Washington on the 22nd. Expect Richmond will be a gay place about that time. Sue and I had our invitation but declined as we made such a visitation in the Fall. Finish reading Hugh Miller's Schools and Schoolmasters. His style is simplicity itself. Wrote to Miss Vallant, S.P. Williamson and brother Peter.
Feb. 21-27
A beautiful sermon from Dr. Sparrow from the text "How long halt ye between two opinions?" ....Hear a sermon on Wednesday from Mr. Butler. Have a look at my new nephew; can't say much for his beauty. Little Maggie Brown still very poorly. Read Devils. I'm charmed. Wrote to Aunt Ria and Jimmy Lewis. Miss Vallant and Lizzie Dee come up on Friday. They give us all the news of Henry's wedding. A find writing desk comes for Sue but where it comes from and who sent it is a nine days wonder. I get a fine supply of nice writing paper out of it as Sue takes pity upon us that have no such kind friends.
Feb. 28-March 6
At church on Sunday and hear a part of a sermon from Mr. Meade but he had to give up before he finished on account of sickness. The weather very cold. Get the ice house filled from Col. [Thomas J.] Randolph's and Dr. [Charles D.] Everett's pond. A letter from Sally and Dr. Lea. They are much pleased with their house in Mississippi. Sally tells me her dog weighs 110 lbs and is very intelligent. Saturday, Mary Lewis comes home and brings Lydia Wood, Peggie Carr and Peggie Taylor and Mr. Jeff Taylor with her. They are prevented from returning in the evening by a snow storm. Stay until Sunday morning.
March 7-13
We are disappointed in going to church as the carriage has to take the company home. Wrote to Lizzie Dee, Tom Davis, and Betty Bankhead. On Wednesday we have a sermon from Mr. Meade on Prayer ....Call to see sister Betty and Cousin Lou. Find little Maggie Brown much improved; she has been very sick since she had measles. See Mat Leitch's portrait at Dr. Leitch's. It is not a pleasant likeness of her ....On Saturday, Sue, Maggie and I go down to Music Hall. Find the roads very bad. We are four hours on the road. Find Sister Mary in bad spirits. She has lately lost her mother and her brother James. The children are all much grown. Dicky [Richard C. Minor] has donned the jacket and pants lately and as his Pa says, "looks not unlike a young Galihad." Miss Vallant is with us Saturday night.
March 14-20
Go to Grace Church [and] hear Mr. Boyden....Lizzie Dee stays Sunday and Monday night with us. We have such nice times looking over old Grandfather Douglas's letters and papers, some of them nearly a hundred years old. Some of the almanacs are as old as 1760. Think a number of the letters are from my great uncle Charles Meriwether while attending lectures at the University in Edinburgh, Scotland, others to and from his daughter, Margaret Douglas, several from a Scotch cousin who writes badly and spells worse and some from a great many kins folk and friends which are grim specimens of the epistolary art. I have a letter from brother Peter. Hear they have a measles panic at home. The overseer has it so suppose it will spread. Dread to think of it but will try to bear in mind we are all in the hands of a true and just Providence and whatever he decrees must be right for he wishes all things well. At Uncle Bob's on Tuesday. Real Spring weather. The birds are singing merrily and the flowers blooming out never remembering that one swallow does not make a summer and that these bright spring days may soon be followed by a killing frost. But enough of this cackling. We should make the most of the sunny hours and recollect "sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof." Go Friday evening to the Creek with Miss Vallant, Lizzie Dee and Sue. We are introduced to Henry's wife [Sarah Robinson Clegg Lewis]. She is quite a pretty looking girl. Seems much in love with Henry. The next evening in spite of rain we get back to Castalia escorted by Jimmy and Nicky [Lewis]. A letter from B. Bankhead. She is anxious for us to pay her a visit; report says she is soon to be married. A letter from my friend Sally W. She did not write in good spirits. Also one from Jimmy L; he seems to be hard at work.
March 21-27
No church. Go in the morning to Music Hall. Miss Vallant and Lizzie Dee put up with us for the night. On Wednesday we get letters from home saying our presence is needed as there is so much sickness and on the next day Uncle Hatter arrives and takes us up in the evening. Find them all ailing. Jim sick in bed with measles. Sorry our visit was cut so short. Suppose it will be our last visit to the Old Music Hall house. It seems almost like sacrilege to touch its time honored walls. How many of our kindred now numbered with the dead have been sheltered beneath its venerable roof. What tales its old walls could give us of days long gone if they could only be possessed to be communicative. To think of the times when the old Grandmother, Peggie Douglas, [daughter of Parson William Douglas] came a bride to the place and then Uncle Jimmy and Aunt Sue [James Hunter and Susan Bacon Terrel] settled themselves at the Old Homestead and the numbers of nieces and nephews who have there found a home and friends. These are all gone. Many of them have been gathered to their long home, some scattered abroad while the old house remains a dumb witness of the past. The lst of May has been appointed to pull it down. I only hope there may be as much happiness in store for its members in the new house as was enjoyed in the old.
March 28-April 3
Very good but twice told sermon from Mr. Meade. Read The Little Pilgrim and The Giant Killer or The Battle That All Must Fight. Books rather of the juvenile order but very interesting. Also Ryles' Living or Dead. On Wednesday have Mr. Wm. M. Nelson preach ....Cousin Ann Dotson and Isabella Leitch to dine with us. The last of the week, Sue and I go in to spend a few days with cousin Lou. I stay one night with Sister Betty. Have Betty Lewis to keep me company. The baby's name has not quite been agreed on; we think of Charles Augustine Lewis. Miss Betty L. has the naming of him. Preaching going on in our church. On Thursday Mr. Nelson gave us an extravagant address suitable for the occasion [and again on] Saturday ....
April 4-10
Dr. Dabney Davis [preaches in the morning and] at night cousin Dabney again ....I attend prayer meetings on two occasions. Get home on Monday; find some of the children with all the symptoms of measles. The garden is looking lovely. Some of the house servants are down with measles. Poor little Dick is badly off without his Mammy. [His black Mammy was apparently one of those sick with measles.] Wrote to Sally Lea and Sally Williamson.
April 11-17
A sermon from Mr. Butler....A nice long letter from Tom Davis. Mary Lewis at home expecting to have measles. Read Judahs Lion. Saturday 17th poor Jimmy [a slave woman] died today after an illness of 11 days. A letter from Aunt Ria, Miss Vallant and Lizzie. Had a letter from brother Garret, he called his youngest daughter Maria Louisa, the last name is after ME.
April 18-24
Sue and Mary Lewis very poorly with measles. During the course of the week they are better but poor little Ellen is very ill. On the 20th and 21st she was so ill we almost felt as if there was no hope for her. Dr. Leitch is very kind and stays with her almost constantly. Cousin Isabella Leitch is also with us and nurses her so kindly. I consider her some of the salt of the earth.
April 25-May 1
Had a snow storm in the morning. The mountains around are white for several days. Fear the flowers will suffer. On the 26th Ellen is pronounced better. Poor little thing, she has suffered much, had too large blisters. A letter from Miss Vallant telling us Aunt Sally has another daughter [Lydia Laurie Lewis] born April 17th. She says it is much like Uncle Bob. Miss Vallant also gives us the particulars of the late troubles at Castalia. [The reference is apparently to a minor slave insurrection.] How troubled Aunt Sally will be when she hears of it all. Cousin Ann Meriwether died today, the 26th. What a loss she will be to her family but I feel most for Charlotte. Wrote Lizzie Dee and Jimmy Lewis and Brother Peter. Read Charles Reade's new novel Jack of Al1 Trades. Very indifferent. Also Leyk Richmond's Letters and Comments. He must have been one of the pure in heart. Ellen still improving. Cousin Isabella leaves us today. Beautiful weather. The tulips are symphonies. The frost not so much injured as we feared.
May 2-8
Mr. Wm. M. Nelson gives us one of his very fine sermons ....He is earnestness itself. There has been much interest shown for some time past in our church on the subject of religion and there has been much good preaching and prayer meetings every evening and people are beginning to consider seriously their latter end.
May 9-15
Another old sermon from Mr. Edmonds. Bob Lewis comes home with us. We have a charming walk on the river bank after dinner. Aunt Sally has called her new baby after my mother, Lydia Laurie. I feel as if I could give her an extra share of my affection. On the l0th, Sue, Lizzie, Bob and Jim and I go to the University to hear Edward Everett make his speech on Washington. This is my second hearing and I would not object to a third. The interest is still high up in the church and the preaching continues. I might almost say the church added many members. Quite a number to be confirmed when the Bishop makes his annual visit. [On the] 12th Ellen takes her first ride. She is much reduced by her sickness. A letter from my friend, S.P. Williamson. I have a very bad cold, the commencement of my nose cold. On Saturday, the 15th, attend church. A sermon from Mr. Meade. Dinner with Sister Betty. See Brother Jim. He says things have got comfortably fixed in the kitchen. The old house has been pulled down. Brother Jim is very complaining.
May 16-22
A rainy Sunday. On Wednesday finish a christening dress for little Dick. Read Isafals-it is perfectly charming. Miss Vallant comes up to spend the Whitsuntide holiday with us. Friday Miss McPherson, Sue Taylor and Mary Lewis dine with us. Beautiful weather but too cool for the season. I am very poorly.
May 23-29
Lizzie calls for Miss Vallant on Monday. I'm sick in bed. Richard dyked out for the first time in short dresses. They are very becoming. Read a Biography of Whitfield by Belcher. An invite to Mr and Mrs. B.L. Winston's affair at Linley, their home in Hanover County, the lst of June. A visit from brother Jim. Wednesday 26th confirmations are adminstered to 41 persons, among the number Mary Lewis. She has early shown that "better part" and I trust she may so watch and pray that like Mary of old it can never be taken from her. I was unable to attend in consequence of sickness. Mary Lewis at home the rest of the week.
May 30-June 5
A rainy Sunday ....The sun seems in a bad humor and frowns continually. Jimmy's [the slave woman who died earlier] little baby Catherine died on Saturday. It seemed a mercy that it was taken, little sufferer that it was. Read Jackson on Baptism. The last case of measles is now out making in all among blacks and whites, 32 cases. Wrote to Miss Vallant. Had a nice long letter from Dr. Lea. Sue, Jim, Nannie and I spend a day with Mary Walker. She is much improved by her trip South. Some visitors this week, Mrs Wood and cousin Lucy Maury. Saturday evening, Mary Lewis, Jeff and Peg Taylor walk over and make us a call.
June 6-12
A sermon from Mr Meade. The church is in a shabby condition as one of the walls has been pulled down and the pulpit much reduced in size to make way for the addition. The breach in the wall is very roughly plastered up for present use. Mammy E, Sue, Maggie and I dine at Ridgway. Have such a pleasant day. Cousin Sarah [Gilmer] is such a dear old lady. Brother Jim and Sister Mary call in the new rockaway. The weather very warm. Write to Aunt Ria, Dr. Lea and S.P. Williamson. Uncle Bob and Cousin Howel spend the night with us. Wednesday we go to prayer meeting. They are so pleasant. I remain with Sister Betty for a few days and am poorly the whole time. I find a houseful of ladies visiting with Sister Betty. The weather very warm. Get acquainted with Miss Metcalf from Fredricksburg. She turns out to be a cousin. Also meet Mrs. Walker from the same place. She instructs us much talking about my Minor kin. Seems to have known the whole clan. Seems she knew my Father [Samuel Overton Minor who died in 1838] well as a young man and that he boarded with her when he first went to Fredricksburg to begin life. She had some old stories to tell of some of the Minors. Was of the opinion that they were "a peculiar people."
June 13-19
Hear a sermon in the morning from Mr. Broaddus [and] at night hear cousin Dabney Davis. Monday, Sister Betty has invitation company. The Fredricksburg ladies, Mr and Mrs. George Garrett, Betty Lewis and Mr. Broaddus. I have a delightful evening. My cousin Metcalf is so agreeable; Mr. Broadus is also very pleasant. Betty Lewis spends the night with me. Get home early in the week. Kate Whitehead, Lizzie Benton and Lizzie Wood spend a day and night with us. The little New Yorker [probably Lizzie Benton] sings like a bird. I've lost none of my admiration for Kate. She is a little charmer. Sue goes back with them to Mr. Woods and I'm left a poor lorn creature. It is the first time for several years that I've stayed all night at home without Sue. Take Maggie into the Lodge to keep me company. Sue gets back on Friday evening. Mary Lewis with her and is sick. Ma stops cutting asparagus, much to my joy. She has made by it this season, $99. Read She Stoops to Conauer. Had a letter from my friend S.P. Williamson. Hear of the arrival in town of some of the Douglas kin. I'm afraid their glory has departed and the only honor now belonging to them is the name. Sue and I make some very fancy screens for our room and Ma's. Saturday Sue and I go over to spend the night in town as we want the children to come over tomorrow to see Dick baptized. I spend the night with Sister Betty. Bob Lewis takes care of us as Mr. Brown is away. Have a serenade.
June 20-26
Dick is baptized on Sunday morning by Mr. Meade. Mary Lewis and I stand sponsors for him. He behaved pretty well. God grant that we may be faithful to our vows and when asked upon to give an account of our lives, we may be able to say we "have done what we could." A beautiful sermon in the morning from Mr. Butler. Sue, Mary Lewis and I dine at Cousin Betsey Masseys. Have a pleasant day. Cousin Betsey is a charming old lady and one of the few relics of a bygone age that is fast flying away. Cousin Lucy is a cheerful little body and seems to enjoy life. We find the Misses Bensons there. A letter from Lizzie Dee. A visit from Mr. Bass. We get a new supply of good books from him. Sue gives me a copy of Richard Valentan's Sermons. Miss Vallant comes up early on Saturday morning. She leaves for the north on Wednesday next. Read English Hearts and English Hands, also Miss Southworth's [Emma Dorothy Eliza Nevitte Southworth] Lost Kisses, a trashy affair but quite deep enough for such warm weather.
June 27-July 3
Miss Vallant leaves early this morning. Harvest commences. The warmest weather I ever felt. Nelson, the servant, died in the harvest field from a sunstroke. Truly in the midst of life we are in death. On Sunday, Mr. Meade preaches. Three infants are baptized today. Read Peruvians by W.J. Coreybean. A very reasonable book but one that I'm rather suspicious of though it proposses to have been written for a good purpose. Friday Sue and I go to town to see the Military companies turn out for the 4th of July which is this year celebrated on the 3rd. We stay until after Sunday. I spend my time at Dr. Leitch's and Mr. Brown's. At the last place on Saturday I dine with quite a juvenile party as there were many children. Brother Jim was also there. A letter from my brother William [Woolfolk Minor of Missouri.] He sends me a picture of his youngest child and a fine looking fellow he is. Emma Bailey stays with us at Dr. Leitch's. We enjoy her company much. We are introduced to The Happy Family.
July 4-11
Sister Betty's little Charles Warner was baptized today by Mr. Meade. I stand sponsor for him. Three godsons. My responsibilities are great but I've vowed and with God's help will endeaver to perform them. Wrote to Brother Garret, S.P. Williamson and Tom Davis. Camp Goodloe staying with Jim. Thursday, Sue and I start early for Music Hall. Get down in time for church as the convocation is going on. The new house is progressing very fast. It has five gables; I advise two more as then some romance might be connected with it being a "House with Seven Gables". We find very comfortable quarters in the kitchen. Hear some very good preaching. There is a prayer meeting every morning at 10 o'clock, then a sermon, generally a short address on one of the missions. [The preachers were] Mr. Dabney Davis, Mr. Latane (Acts 7:56), Mr. Meade, and Mr. Butler....See a good many of the neighbors. Call at Mr. Boydens and see all the preachers. The ladies are very agreeable. On Saturday Mr. Butler dines with us. In the even have quite a salee on the porch.
July 12-17
At Kinloch until Thursday. Find Mrs. Philip Nelson there. She is so pleasant. Some nice music in the evenings. She and her husband both sing well. Wednesday, Charlotte, Sue, Lizzie and I dine at cousin Fanny Meriwethers. Find Cousin Fanny Hart with her also the Misses Pegram and their fascinating brother William. Quite a band of music, piano, flute, and fiddle. Thursday stopping up at Uncle Bobs where we remain for the rest of the week. There is a prayer meeting in the house. Quite a number of the neighbors attend. Mr. F[rancis K.] Nelson conducts the meeting and Mr. B. Page gives us a beautiful extemperaneous prayer. Wrote home. Read a novel called The English Orphans by Miss Johns. Lottie Sinclair and her brother John are down for a day or two. We take a huckleberry hunt in the Lonesome. Aunt Sally thinks us very industrious until she finds out the tricks of the trade ....
July 18-24
No church. Take tea at Music Hall; a dark walk back. Lizzie, Sue, Bob and I make a visit of a day and night to Clover Fields. Have the Misses Pegram to dine with us there. See Cousin Mary and Chiles Barker. They are but little changed in their looks. Bad news from home. Pets has disappeared very suddenly. I fear that he has gone forever. It will be a sad loss for me for I've set my affections on him. Wrote to Brother William and Mammy Eliza. Dine at the Creek. Find cousin Sarah [Lewis] much better. Saturday Lizzie and I have a real John Gilpin ride. Beat the northern brothers. A letter from Nannie, Mary Lewis, brother Peter and Miss Vallant. I record little Lydia Laurie's birth in the Bible at Uncle Bob's by young Bob's invitation. Pleasant weather. At Castalia the rest of this week.
July 25-31
Hear Mr. Boyden [preach] ....At Music Hall again. On Monday evening have quite a company in the porch that's being their parlor at the Kitchen: Dr. [Charles] Meriwether, Mr. Fish [William Hunter] Meriwether, Lizzie, Bob and Alice Lewis, Mr. Slaughter, Cousins Thomas and David Watson. Wrote to Miss Vallant and Mary Lewis. Jim down this week. Says Daddy will certainly start for The Springs in a few days. Read The History of a Pocket Prayer Book, The Woodcutter of Lebanon and Exiles of Lucretia. Spend a night a Mr. K[eating] Nelson's; such a merry time. Lizzie and I call to see the Misses Boyden. Lelia give me such a pretty kitten, much like Pets, but [the kitten] struggles so hard I have to let it drop. Attend a Prayer meeting at Kinloch which is very interesting. We have Charlotte, Lizzie Dee and the Pegrams and Mr. Slaughter to spend the evening with us at Music Hall ....[On] Saturday 31st go with a party of 18 to Peter's Mountain. They are Mr. and Mrs. Billy Fish [William Hunter Meriwether], Charlotte Meriwether, Mary and Sally Pegram, Sue, Lizzie and I with Robert, Jimmy and Nicky Lewis, Hugh Nelson, Edward Mead, Fredrick Page, Mr. Slaughter, Mr. D. Nelson, Mr. Cooke, Mr. C. Page. We carried our dinner and had a gay time. In the evening a rain came up and we found shelter in the house of a Mr. Carver where we played games to wile away the time while until the storm was over. Fine fun watching Billy Fish and his young wife. How ridiculous they make themselves. Lizzie makes their picture which is recognized by us all. Some fine singers along and they give us some music that might have "created a soul under the ribs of Death." [On] Aug. 4th Sue and I get home from the lower neighborhood after a visit of four weeks but one day. Find Daddy at the Springs . ....No news of pets; fear I've seen the last of him. [On] Aug. 8th at sister Betty's; Mr. Brown is still away. Call to see Miss Lizzie Watson from Holly Springs. She gives me all the points about Sally and Dr. Lea. Witness Lotty Sanders' marriage on the 12th at the church. Get a new cat. He is much like my poor lost Pets. Call him Peck after a cat in a book. [On] Aug. 14th Lizzie Dee comes up to visit us.
Aug. 17-21
Sue, Lizzie and I visit Ivy Creek. The first visit since Sally's [Sally Price Pride] marriage. We find few changes as the Woods are up at their country home for the summer and the Locust Hill family are exactly the same with the addition of Sally's little girl, Lucy, who is a sweet little creature. Sally is but little changed by being married. She is the same sincere sweet woman. Mr. Pride makes a very devoted husband and father. Make several new acquaintances, among them Cousin Martha Thomas and her daughter, Jane Lewis Perkins, Fanny Woods and Maggie Wood from Washington City ....Have some very well conducted charades. Maggie Wood and Lizzie Dee are chief movers in this. [On]
Aug. 18th
Lizzie Dee leaves us ....A part of the time we spend with some very entertaining novels over which I muttered a few brassy words. Among them was Dr. Antonio, Daisy Chain and Iris. [On] Aug. 25th hear through a letter from Miss George Carr of the death of Willie Williamson [Sally Williamson's brother.] Suppose he breathed his last on Monday 23rd. His poor mother and sisters, how I feel for them. He was their sole stay and support. God's ways are indeed mysterious but we have his word that it is not in wrath he afflicts us. Mr. W's friends have such consolation in knowing that when he was called, he was found ready.
Aug. 31-Sept. 1
A visit from Sally, Mr Pride and little Lucy. Cousin Lucy Maury and Betty Price also are with us. We have a nice trip to Monticello. Mary Lewis and I in the carriage with Mr. Pride and Sally, and Sue and Jim on horseback. We, the carriage party, have three breakdowns. We are admitted to the house and shown some of the best rooms. The house and all around it are in a sadly dilapidated state. Surely the Southern Matrons ought now to get up a Monticello Association and rescue the house and grave of the Author of the Declaration of Independence from the hand of the spoiler. [On] Aug. 24th hear of the death of Brother Peter's youngest child, little Peter Carr. His spirit took its happy flight August 12, 1858 aged 1 year and 12 days. Sept. 2nd spent the day with Mrs. McGhee. She expects soon to leave the neighborhood as her farm is to be sold. Sorry to lose her as our neighbor. Sept. 4th Daddy gets home very unexpectedly [after a six weeks absence at the hot springs.] He is much improved in health and looks and is quite straight again ....
Sept. 5-12
Hear Mr. Meade [preach] ....Sue, Daddy, Jim and I go down in two buggies to Uncle Bob's to see Miss Vallant who has just returned from her summer trip north. While there she did some shopping for us which we find to our satisfaction. Aunt Ria sends Sue and I a pretty picture for The Lodge, some of her own work. Have a pleasant day with the Castilians. Mary Walker and Tom R. call one evening. Mary Walker looks so frail. A refreshing shower this week. It is much needed. Sept. 15th hear of the death of Cousin Jim Trice. He died on the 9th in New Orleans of yellow fever. Dear Cousin Jim, some of the happiest of my sunny childhood hours are associated with him, the memory of which will ever be bright. Sept. 17th Miss Vallant, Robert [Lewis] and little Maggie come up in the Black Warrior and spend Saturday and Sunday with us. Pay Miss Vallant back for the New York purchases.
Sept. 19-25
Lizzie Dee comes up to town today to start to school again. She has a strong resolution to turn on again after having acted the young lady for more than a year .... The crocus so bright and pretty. It seems almost a mockery of the season with their bright yellow flowers while all around them the leaves turn.
Sept. 27-Oct. 2
Ma, Maggie and Nannie in the lower neighborhood. We miss them much.
Oct. 7-8
A visit from Cousin Sarah Gilmer. I wish I could see more of her. She is such a truly good woman and her kind Christian spirit shows through in her every action and sentiment so that it is really refreshing to be with her.
Oct. 14th
My dog Dirk sent away for making his exit through the dining room window. I can but wonder what will be the fate of the poor wanderer now.
Oct. 23rd
Phil Haxall, one of the friends of our youth, spends Saturday night and Sunday with us. He
is now at the University and has changed much from the little boy we used to be so free with. Sue and I make a jar of Pepper Pickles. Our hands suffer in consequence; in a perfect agony until late at night.
Oct. 31-Nov. 3
With sister Betty. See my little Cousin Lou Waller. Make a number of visits.
Nov. 1-10
John Macmurdo up with us. Phil over again for several days. We have a houseful of company. Aunt Sally, Miss Vallant, Maggie and Little Lydia come up to stay a night, Nov. 4th, but the bad weather kept them until the following Wednesday with the exception of Sunday night which Aunt Sally and Maggie spend with her other relations. Lydia [Aunt Sally Lewis' youngest child] and Miss Vallant are left to our charge. Robert and Lizzie Dee over Saturday and Sunday so all together we have a merry time. Miss Rose sent me by Johnny a
piece of Powhatan's pipe stem found at James Town, also some mosses from the old church tower at that place. They are precious relics and I prize them much.
Nov. 25th
A letter from Mr. Buckner to Daddy telling of the death of brother Dick Anderson [Daddy, Meriwether L. Anderson's brother] which occurred on the 14th of this month. The disease was typhoid fever. He leaves behind a large number of sorrowing friends who will long feel his loss. That very memory is the finest eulogy he can have
Nov. 26th
A letter from Tom Davis telling me he has a son and heir. Sends to us for a name-something pretty and appropriate. I'm nonplussed as family names have all run out. Suppose he will have to be content by a fancy thing that I shall propose, Claude or Thackeray.
Nov. 28th
Get in the new church for the first time and have a very fine sermon both night and morning from Dr. Minnegerode. The Bishop is also present. He came to admit Mr. Butler to Priest's orders but some of the necessary papers not being forthcoming the ceremony had to be postponed till a more convenient season. The church is much improved and if not pretty is very comfortable and there is plenty of room and the spire is the handsomest in town.
Dec. 2nd
Cousin Hugh Minor has been gathered to his fathers. He has long been a great sufferer but we trust he is now where the "weary are at rest."
Dec. 18-19
Spent in town and attend some such delightful preachings. The ministers were Bishop Johns and Dr. Minnegerode. Mr. Butler was ordained Priest. The ordination service was preached by Dr. Minnegerode...and was very superior. He certainly pointed out very clearly Mr. Butler's duty. On Sunday night the Bishop confirmed ten persons. I put up at Sister Betty's house. My cousins, Lou Waller and Edgar Crutchfield with me most of the time. Got home Monday morning and commenced fixing for the Xmas jaunt. Such a confusion as the Lodge is in.
Dec. 22nd
Sue, Mary Lewis, Nannie and I go down to Castalia and find Aunt Sally and Miss Vallant busy about the Xmas preparations. Miss Vallant is very poorly.
Dec. 23rd
Call at Music Hall and take a look at the house; it is quite to my fancy. Sister Mary has two arrivals today, Cousin Lizzie Watson [Sister Mary's twin sister] and her tribe and some young ladies from Orange who are visiting Lizzie [Minor, Sister Mary's daughter.] There are only sixteen children in the house at present so I intend to keep at a respectful distance until some of them leave. Lizzie Dee gets down today, also Bob, so we have a merry party.
Dec. 24th
Miss Fontaine and two Miss Bibbs from Charlottesville join our party. We amuse ourselves decorating the parlor with greens for Xmas. Bob insists that we shall have a mistletoe bough though he is the last one to take advantage of it. Xmas Eve we have a quiet time. The juveniles are all agog about Santa Claus. We are all visited during the night by that notable personage. Xmas Day roused early by all kinds of music ....Attend services at Grace Church and have a sermon from Mr. Boyden suitable for the season ....After Church Sue Stanford [Bacon], Mr. [James Terrel] Bacon and Miss Emily Griswold [a northern woman who is teaching the children at The Creek] go back to Uncle Bob's with us. Fall in love with Miss Griswold at first sight. Should like much to have her as a friend. I am well aware that such sudden friendships are dangerous trials and often end in pain to both parties but I think I could trust her. We pair off the first day of our meeting and are looked upon as lovers by the rest of the company. Xmas night have some very amusing charades. Miss Emily proves herself a fine actress.
Dec. 26-31
Sunday, church in the morning. Have a sermon from Mr. Boyden. Sue Stanford has a bad headache so we have a select tea party in Miss Vallant's room. Mr. Bacon is a model husband. He adds to my curiosity shop a label from Sevastopol. We have some very pretty tableaux. The company all leave on Tuesday except the Pantopians. Tuesday night John Macmurdo and Jim get down. Suppose Johnny found it dull with only the old folks at home and I knew Jim was glad of an excuse to get with our Xmas party again. On Wednesday Sue Stanford and Miss Emily return. I enjoy her company so much. She is perfectly charming although she is from the north. We attend a party at Mr. Keating Nelsons. I enjoy it very much as I have my new found treasure by my side. We have such pleasant talks together. On our return have quite a scare in the waggon which prevents our returning so spend the night with Mrs. Nelson and don't we have a merry time, 9 in one room and 17 in the next. New Year Eve Miss Emily leaves us for The Creek. She wanted to watch out the old year all by herself. How sorry I am to see her depart. Hope; however, we may spend tomorrow night together. After she leaves I commence a letter to my friend Sally Williamson which kept me up until after 12 o'clock and I hear the old year go walking out.
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