University of Virginia Library

1859

Jan. 1

1859 is ushered in with tears. How many thoughts present themselves when looking over the last twelve months. What has the Recording Angel written of me in his--book of -deeds. It is a saddening though--to remember for how many evil deeds and sullen words I will have to given an account. At Music Hall my first night in the new house and Emily is with me. The New Year has made us fast friends. What a cozy chat we had together that night over the fire. We both felt better acquainted before retiring for the night.

Jan. 2-8

Sue and I stopping up at Music Hall this week. Brother Jim, Dicky, William [brother Jim's sons] and I spend a few days in Orange. I'm truly delighted to be among my old friends again. Meet with a very warm welcome. Divide my time between Mrs. Catlett, Miss Betsy and my friend, Sally Williamson ....We had a long talk of bygone hours. She tells me of their late afflictions, how much she suffered and how hard it was not to rebel but I feel that she has come out unscathed from the fiery furnace. It is a great privilege to be with those who can suffer and be strong as it shows me the power of religion over our human passions. Sally has a comfortable little home and she seemed so pleased to have me with her. See a good many of my old friends. The place is little changed since I last visited there. Mrs. Catlett is beginning to get very feeble. Get back on Friday and go in the evening to the Creek. I'm taken right to Miss Emily's room where we have some joyous times. She tells me of her friends and home. We agree on church matters which is one bond between us. She is just my idea of what an Episcopalian ought to be

Jan. 9-15

Walk to church and hear a sermon from Mr. Boyden. In the evening have church in the parlor. Nicky [Nicholas Hunter Lewis] conducts the meeting .... Cousin Howel and the neighbors around getting ice. At Music Hall the last of the week. On Saturday I go down to the Creek to bring up Emily to spend the day and night with me at Uncle Bobs. Have such pleasant company to dinner but who knows what a night may bring forth.

Jan. 16-22

Miss Emily vey sick with cramps. Send off for brother Jim and in the evening as she gets worse, Dr. Meriwether is called in and he remains all night. Toward morning she is better but still quite sick. Monday was set for us to return home and Miss Vallant had intended to come with us as her health was too bad to allow her to attend to her school but Miss Emily was too sick for us all to leave so it was decided by the wise ones that as I could be of no use as a nurse, I must come home and bring the young ones and let Sue stay and take care of the sick. It is a hard trial to me to leave my friend sick but duty calls. I wish I knew which was right. Inclination certainly prompts me to stay but some one must come home and Sue will be of so much more use than I. I say farewell with a sad heart. Get home from the Depot in Uncle Hatter's waggon as the roads are too bad for the carriage. Find all glad to see us but I feel such a load on my spirits I can't shake it off. I lay it to leaving my friend in such a suffering condition and to Sue's being away for home is not home without her. It is so lonely in The Lodge, especially at night. Find quite an increase in the dog family. Jim has two new ones, Phil and a little puppy called Molly. Peck has grown and improved wonderfully. He still haunts The Lodge. Jan. 18th a letter from Sue to cheer me in my solitude. Miss Emily is better but still in bed . ...I commence my school and the 3rd vol of Gibbon. Saturday night quite late Robert and Mr. Slaughter come in to spend the night. Mr. Slaughter and I have a long chat about Oranges. I can give him the latest news, having been so lately to that land of happy memories. Bob brings me [a book] to read.

Jan. 24th

Sue, Miss Vallant and Sue Bacon are with us. I meet them in the waggon which is the only means of getting about as the roads continue so very bad ....

Jan. 30-Feb.6

Bob spends Sunday with us. Sue Stanford sick in bed with a headache. Brother Jim dines with us. His family are in town but owing to the state of the roads they cannot get over. Sue reads Gents and Imelda aloud for the benefit of the household. I enjoy a second hearing of them very much. Make Lydia her first short dress. Miss Vallant improving both in health and spirits. Thy will be done. Feb 6. Go to church in the wagon. See the Xmas decorations for the first time. They are so pretty. Sue Stanford leaves us today to make Cousin Fanny Sheppard a visit. She will be back again soon ....Find Jimmy at home on our return from church. He brings me a letter from my friend, Emily. How happy it makes me.

Feb. 11th

The news has just reached us of the sad fate of Old William and Mary College. It was destroyed by fire on the 8th. The 19th of this month would have been its 167th anniversary. To think of what treasures were consumed in its old library. It seems indeed as if all the landmarks of our past glory are being swept away and in a few short years we will have nothing to show of what we have been but passing away is written upon all.

Feb. 21st

Sue Stanford and Miss Vallant leave us. We shall miss them much having been together with exception of a few days time since Xmas. Miss Vallant was not improved as much as we hoped she would. Her spirits too are not good. The doctor is decidedly against her teaching now. I hope much she will not have to leave Virginia. She has been so long among us and seems so interested in our welfare that we would surely miss her from our circle.

Feb. 23rd

...the Spring crocus showed their bright faces today for the first time. It makes me feel so glad and happy to see them again.

[There are no diary entries between February 23 and April 1, 1859.]

April 1-4

I'm much afflicted with one of the Egyptian Plagues. In bed for a few days

April 6-10

Cousin Mildred and Charlotte with us, the first for three days but Charlotte stayed longer. It seemed "the light of all days" to have Charlotte with us again. We take such pleasant walks together.

April 16-17

With Sister Betty. Take a walk out to the farm.

April 20st

Sister Mary, brother Jim, Alice and my Niece Lizzie spend the night with us. Good news about Alice as she is to join the church on Easter Sunday.

April 21-27

Have my friend Emily with me. Her friendship has been a source of much happiness to me. I believed she understands me better and we have many thoughts in common than most of the people I know. She is the pattern of what a Christian ought to be, so self-denying and anxious to be about her Master's work. I feel that it is good for me to be with her and I consider it a privilege to be called her friend. We attend church together on Good Friday and Easter Sunday and have some nice chats ....Aunt Ria and Miss Vallant come up at the same time but they remain until May 9th. Aunt Ria is the same dear little person charming up all around her. We have some gay times walking, reading and sewing. Miss Vallant's health is much improved. I hope she may be able to come back to us next fall but she seems doubtful about it.

May 9-16

I'm in the lower neighborhood. Make a visit for the first time altogether for pleasure without Sue. Miss her very much; however, she and Mary Lewis come down for me in about a week to take me home. We have to say good bye to Miss Vallant as she leaves Virginia about the 18th for good. How sad it makes me feel to think we shall not see her good, happy face next fall. She will not be able to teach and her friends wish her to come to them at the north and rest. I hope she may be happy with them. She leaves behind her many warm friends who will always be glad to learn of her welfare. Have some such nice talks with Emily. What a comfort she is to me.

May 30-June 7

Had visiting us Sam Anderson and his bride and Charlie Barker. Sam is an old acquaintance and has married a nice western girl. We get well acquainted with the whole party. Charlie is very lively and takes great interest in the flowers. He is quite an improvement on most of the western boys I'm sure. Matty [Anderson] is quite sick while with us. She had several chills and was confined to her bed for several days. June 2nd a call in the evening from Mr. Arrowsmith, Aunt Ria and Lizzie Dee. Take our farewell of Aunt Ria, she will leave on Monday next. "When shall we all meet again, Aunt Ria, Miss Vallant and the Southern party." We have enjoyed so many pleasures together and have been so much interested in the same things that it makes me feel sick at heart to think how widely separated we will now be.

June 10-14

In town shopping. A visit from Bishop Meade [on Sunday the 12th.] A good many confirmed Sunday night hear the first sermon from Mr. Nelson since he became our pastor

June 18-20

Have my last look at Emily for some time to come as she is to leave Virginia on Monday next for two months vacation; hope to meet at the end of that time in the lower neighborhood.

June 28

The sewing machine arrives and Sue is the operator. Hope in time we will all learn.

July 8

Cousin Lou and Isabella Leitch with Sarah and little Lewis are with us. The sewing machine is all the fashion. We have pleasant times working in the Lodge. Very cool weather for the season; sleep under two blankets. The 4th was such a cool day it seemed to freeze all the patriotism up in every one and from its quietness no one would have supposed it was out great national jubilee

July 11

Commence my silk quilt

July 23

Daddy starts for the Hot Springs

July 29

Rose Macmurdo comes up to make us a visit; remains nearly three weeks and during the time we have a crowd of company. Helen Macmurdo is with us for several days. She give us The Irish jig one night in The Lodge. While Dutchie is with us, we are invited to dine at Castle Hill. Oh what would I live in such a big house for and have to pay so much attention to what I say and where I point my hands and feet--so much form and ceremony. It is well for me that invitations to such formal dinner parties do not come often or I do not believe I could pass the ordeal with patience.

Aug. 17-Sept.15

In the lower neighborhood and have such charming times. Get acquainted with a cousin from the South, Bab Clampton. I'm so much pleased with her for she is so affectionate and nice and has proved herself such a true friend to my little sister Sally. The little daughter, Clara, was a nice little child. We found Cousin Sarah Gilmer in the neighborhood and saw a good deal of her. Kate Whitehead joins our party on the 29th of Sept. "Katie Darling" is in high favor with my young cousins of the male gender-indeed she is the pet of us all. She loses some of her sweetness by better acquaintance. Poor child, she is quite sick for a whole week and suffers much with her mouth. Bob is very smitten. I never saw my long cousin in love before. On Thursday, Aug. 25th Missouri Jim appears again among us. He only remained with us for a few days as he has come on to be married. His intended is a Miss Hackett of Louisa County and the ceremony is to come off on the 6th of Sept. His visit on the whole was unsatisfactory. I'm not very much pleased with the match but hope for the best. While he was with us, the fancy ball at The Creek came off. Kate and Sue were the two principal characters. It was a hastily arranged affair but we enjoy it much. Brother Jim's school opened while we were with him. The teacher [Samuel J. Coffman] seems a pleasant person. The little boys are all beginning Latin and it seemed hard work for them. The two Lizzies [Lizzie Dee Lewis and Lizzie Minor] also take a turn at the classics in the evening from Mr. Coffman. Sept. 7th.my friend Emily gets back much to my joy, ....Her health is much better and she looks really pretty. Her friend, Miss [Carolyn] Morrill, who is to teach at Ridgway, stops with her at the Creek for a few days. She seems a nice ladylike person but has much more of the yankee manerisms about her than Emily. She expresses herself much pleased with Virginia. The little darkies afford her much much amusement. Sept. 15th get home after a visit of four weeks. While away Daddy returned from the Springs much improved in health. Dick is talking so smartly.

Sept. 17

A great fresh [overflow from heavy rains] in the river. We walk down to see it. What a grand sight. Such a mass of water--smoking and frothing its tumult and wrath in. It hastens along conflicting strong now striking and raging, as if a war waging.

Sept. 18-19

Cousin Fielding [Thomas Fielding Lewis of Locust Hill] send me the long promised dog. He is a real baby dog and cries continually. I call him Bruno after our old pet. A visit from cousins Howel and Sarah. We have a cozy time. Cousin Sarah loses her carpet bag on her way from Ivy Creek and in it one of her best dresses. I began my school and have determined to put my heart more into the work. It is better to go to the house of mourning than to go to the to house of feasting for that is the end of all men and the living will lay it to his heart.. I attend today the funeral of Miss Lizzie Pom. The sermon was preached by Dr. McGuffey....Truly it may be said of her, blessed are the dead who died in the Lord, that they may rest from their labors and their works do follow them.

Oct. 2-8

Hear Bishop Payne discourse on African Missions. Oct. 3rd Ma makes her annual trip to Uncle Bob. She takes Nanny with her. Jim starts to school today to Bennett Taylor [who opened a classical and mathematical school in 1859.] Lizzie Dee and I resume our correspondence. Oct. 4th Bob Lewis leaves Virginia to a home and employment in the sunny south. How much I hope he may succeed for he is one of my pet cousins.

Oct. 15

Sue, Mary Lewis and I go to Ridgway [the home of cousins Franklin and Lucy Minor where a girls school is being held] to see Miss Morrill. We are introduced to Miss Brown and Miss Gibbs. Don't find my cousin J[uliet Minor] very plesant .... she will not make a pleasant old maid. Spend the night with cousin Lou [Leitch] and have a nice time.

Oct. 16-22

Mr. Meade preaches from ....Oct. 18th Mr. Nelson makes his first call; hope we shall get to know him well. Are much excited about the Harper's Ferry affair. The Goose Question [slave insurrection] being revived, I fear. Oct. 20th Cousin Fanny Shepherd with Fanny and Belle Beasley dine with us. Bella tells us about her life in Texas. She is a brave girl. Oct. 21st Lizzie Dee up with her bag of work to be put through by the 'chine. Miss McPherson and Betty Robertson come over Friday evening and stay until Sunday.

Oct. 23-29

A sermon from Dr. Sparrow.... While pickling, take fire, have a narrow escape but get off with a burnt hand and a third of my dress consumed. Such a treat in the evening, Jim brings me from the office a letter from Emily and Sally Williamson. The latter is teaching at The White Sulphur Springs and says she has a pleasant home and only one little girl to teach.

Oct. 30-Nov. 5

Mr. Meade [preached] ....Jim is sick in bed. Sam [Leitch] and Dr. Leitch with us. Hear of Sister Sue's [Sue H Lewis Minor wife of N. Peter Minor] death .... on the 14th of Oct. Death comes as a kind friend to her for she had long been a great sufferer but she is now in the enjoyment of that sleep which remains for the people of God. My poor brother Peter has been sorely tried but I trust he feels that it is God's doing and therefore must be right. Nov, 2, 3 ,4, we are all in great trouble about Jim -- he is very ill. Dr. Leitch comes hurredly and brings Dr. Gooch with him. Dr. Gooch puts up with us until there is some change. Dr. Leitch spends most of his time here. Cousin Isabella also comes to us. She is always a friend in need. People are all so kind, so many have sent or come to inquire after Jim, among them Mr. Meade. Friday the 4th a letter from Emily. We cannot get

together today as we had planned. Jim was too sick so I wrote her word not to come today. A note also from Miss Carry Morrill proposing to defer her visit until we were all well. Sue and I have an invite to Mr. Brown's affair. Jim is thought to be better this morning--we hope for the best.

Nov. 5th

-- My dear brother breathed his last, today, Saturday about 3 o'clock PM. His suffering during the short week of his sickness was very great but his end, thank God, was peace. When he felt the approach of Death, he accomplished a few words to us all separately and in language that seemed like inspiration. In passing through that "Dark Valley of the Shadow of Death" not a doubt of fear seemed to disturb him. All was peace. Oh, how much we have to comfort us in knowing he has now found the joys of heaven and is one of the angel choir. Oh, that my last end may be like his! Poor Mammy Eliza, it is a bitter trial for her for Jim was such a darling with her but I trust she is resigned and the Comforter has not left her comfortless; indeed He has been with us all for it is in the dark hours of life that His soothing peace is felt.

Nov. 6-12

A beautiful day, Nov. 7th, when dear Jim's mortal remains were committed to Mother earth. How well the season accords with death; all was change and dreary. But Dear Jim's at rest and I will try and not think of him in that dark lonesome grave. It is a hard trial for us to go about our daily duties and feel one missing from our sides. Time only can help us heal and then we must keep in remembrance that this separation is only for a season, that we too seek a better country where we will meet those loved ones who have gone before. Kind friends come to us and give us all the comfort that earthly sympathy can but at such times we can but feel how frail are all the friendships of this world for although they may love us much, still in the dark hour of trial, and death comes into our homes they have no power to stay the foe. We must lean on a stronger arm and He has promised to be with us through the days ahead of affliction. The following lines were sent me by my friend of friends, Emily and I think them not in appropriate here.

Nov. 14

Cousin Lou comes to spend the rest of the week with us. She is a dear kind friend and one in whom I feel the greatest confidence. Little Lewis is quite sick while she is with us ....So much company. We did not know we had so many friends and well wishers. Dear Cousin Sarah Gilmer comes to tell us how much she feels for us all; she brings such a supply of nice books.

Nov. 15

Johnny Macmurdo up to see us. He was one of Jim's most intimate friends; the sight of him brings back our loss so freshly. Sam Leitch has been such a comfort to us in our late affliction; seems to consider it his duty to take dear Jim's place to us as much as it is in his power. He is so gentle and affectionate, I feel much attached to him. He and I have always been good friends, but now there is a stronger bond between us. He loved Jim.

Dec. 2-3

Lizzie Dee, Nicky [Lewis] and my darling Emily come up to spend Saturday and Sunday. What a treat it is to me to be with her again. We have much to talk about and my heart feels considerably lighter after seeing her. A long letter from brother Peter. He tells me of the death of cousin Peter Carr on the 18th of Nov. Dear cousin Peter, to think I shall no more see your kind face and hear your cheerful voice again. Oh, how heart rending to see so many of our friends snatched away by Death's hand but-it is the Lord's will and therefore must be right. He has told us, "What I do, thou knowest not now but thou shalt know hereafter." Brother Peter tells me of the desolation of his home. Says he, cousin Laurie and Little Lewis (his wife and his child) will now seek a new home far far distant. Their plans are not yet settled.

Dec. 4-10

Sunday a rainy day so Emily and the rest cannot get off. We are also kept from church. The rain continues so long that on Wednesday they conclude to start off in it. The Marms think they cannot be away from their schools any longer. I'm sorry to see them start away in such bad weather but I know they do not feel satisfied to stay.

Dec. 11-17

A very interesting discourse from Mr. Robert Nelson on the China Mission ....Mary Lewis and I call to see James L. Leitch and his bride. She is a young looking girl. Hope Cousin Isabella may like her: Take dinner with cousin Lou. Cousin Howel spends the night with us. We have some talk about Emily. A note from my niece Lizzie [Minor]. Friday evening I go over to spend the rest of the week with sister Betty and have a pleasant time. It has been so long since I had seen any of her family. Betty Lewis spends an evening with us. The children are all much grown. They give me a warm welcome. I hope much I may be able to exert a good influence on them as they all seem to feel such confidence in me.

Dec. 18-25

A sermon from Mr. Meade....Come home after church and find all well. A letter from Emily, one of her dear sweet epistles that always give me pleasure. Receive a picture of Sally and Dr. Lea from Mississippi. To think of having a niece married! I will soon have to sink down into the Spinster Aunt. A note from Lizzie Dee. Dec. 21st, Wednesday, Mr. Butler's wedding day. Bright and Beautiful. Happy the bride that the sun shines on. Write to Lizzie Minor. Very quiet times. Sue and Mary Lewis spend several days this week making goodies for Christmas. I take things very quietly and as I can neither beat eggs or mince, they excuse me. Johnny has written that he will be up on Monday. It will be a sad time to us all and I wish much it was over. Sad memories will come thronging up and our winter shadow will be ever present at my side .

Xmas Eve!

How little we thought one short year ago, when this season returned it would find one of our members missing--a cleft mark in our home circle but I must not repine. Think of that precious promise to those who sleep in Jesus, "Thine eyes shall see the King in his beauty. They shall behold the lamb that is very far off." And my heart ought to be filled with thankfulness at the return of the season which my beloved church commemorates as the birth night of the Saviour of men "for unto us a saviour is born, unto us a son is given and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Sam is with us until Monday night.

Christmas Day

have a beautiful sermon from Mr. Meade suitable for the occasion. The church is beautifully decorated with greens. What a beautiful custom this is of dressing our churches for this season of rejoicing and then we have proofs of holy writ to sanction it. "The fir tree, the Box tree and the pine tree together to beautify the place of my Santuary." The mass was taken from the text, "Let us now go even unto Bethlehem."

Dec. 26-31

Johnny arrives on Monday. It makes us feel the worse for seeing him for he has been with us for several years past at this time which was always meant to be one of merry making and seeing him makes the recollections of my loss all the stronger. Write to Emily, Dr. Lea and Sally and to Miss Vallant. Johnny leaves on Friday. The weather is very cold.