Wednesday, January 4, 2023

The 1894 Diary of Ellen Elizabeth (Barmore) Sealy

Hiram Nelson Sealy (1833-1907)
Ellen Elizabeth Barmore (1837-1920)
maternal 2nd great-grandparents
Ellen Elizabeth Barmore
 
Family stories, photos, and written records, 
such as letters, journals, and family Bibles are 
a great help to anyone researching a family. If 
a genealogist finds a box that contains any of these items, it's like a pirate finding a treasure chest.
 
I'm fortunate in that both my maternal and paternal ancestors saved things. Two of my first cousins (one on each side) are also genealogists – we three are the primary keepers of the family artifacts. Among the items we have are two small Excelsior diaries written by Ellen Barmore Sealy in 1894 and 1896. Although the entries 
are brief, they provide an intimate look into the daily life of the Barmore-Sealy family.      
 


ELLEN'S DIARY  

The front and edge of Ellen's 1894 diary. It measures 5" wide x 3.25" high x 0.5" thick.

The inside of Ellen's diary & entries for January 1-2, 1894.

 
 NOTES
  • My annotations are in square brackets. Larger sections have a set of asterisks at the top and bottom.
  • For ease of reading, I inserted a dash between the phrases in Ellen's entries.
  • I used italics to highlight portions of some entries. 
  • Ellen calls Jamestown "Town" or "the City." She calls Gerry "the village."
  • Gerry was formerly called "Bucklin's Corners." (See Town of Gerry, NY - Our History to learn more about the area.)
 
The following list will be helpful to readers who are not familiar with members of the Barmore-Sealy family mentioned in this post.
 
Ellen Elizabeth Barmore married Hiram Nelson Sealy, pictured right, in 1860. At the end of 1894, they had
  • an adopted daughter, Annetta, married to Louis Pillsbury. 
  • a son, Mason Allen, married to Cristelle Harris (children Ashley and Marguerite).
  • a son, Otis Robert, married to Selma Hult (children Otis, Gertrude, and Katheryn). 
  • Fredrick "Fred" Fairbanks, an adopted son who, according to my grandmother, Gertrude Sealy, was taken from the Gerry Orphanage (it opened in June 1889 – see pp. 190-191 in the link). Fred, age 12, and three siblings are in the facility in the 1892 NY State Census. 
Ellen's father-in-law was Peter Sealy (1807-1896), my 3rd great-grandfather.

MAPS
 
The new year begins with a big change. The Hiram Sealy and Charley Newton families are preparing to trade their farms which are about three miles apart.
 
The Towns of Gerry & Ellicott in Chautauqua County, New York from an 1867 land ownership and reference atlas. (ancestry.com) I added the highlighting and locations of the Sealy and Newton farms.

This map showing the location of Jeremiah & Hiram Sealy's farm is cropped from page 43 of the atlas. Jeremiah, Hiram's brother, had his own farm in 1870. Ellen mentions "Jerry" several times in her diary.

A zoomed view of the Town of Ellicott (p. 33 in the atlas) showing the location of the Newton farm in Ross Mills.

TRANSCRIPTION OF ELLEN'S DIARY

[January]

Mon. Jan. 1, 1894

Pleasant - Mason & Hiram went down to Charley Newton looking over his farm - I am cleaning hous all qite well

 

Tuesday 2

Pleasant - Hiram went to town to see about traiding farms - Mason went after hired girl

 

Ellen's January 3-6, 1894 entries.

Wed. Jan. 3, 1894

Very nice day - Hiram & myself went to Otises - Otis drew straw from the Jay farm - Father Sealy went up to Hoopers came back at night

 

Thursday 4
Rain at night - Mason & Hiram went to town - we churned & so on all through life - the Lord is good

 

Fri. Jan. 5, 1894

Rain to day - Charley Newton came up to see our farm - Otis & Selma went to the village to mill & stoped here on their way home

 

Saturday 6

Snowing - the ground bare to day - Hiram & myself went down to Lewises - they are going west Tuesday - I bakeing bread & buisy all day long - I am hard to be understood by my hous hold 

 

 

[Left: Hiram's father, Peter Sealy (1807-1896), and his third wife, Diana Lenox. Peter was twice widowed.]

 

 

 

Sun. Jan. 7, 1894

Snow a little - The ground is all bare - Fred & myself went to meating - Hiram staid at home with his Father & Ashley

 

Monday 8

Pleasant no sleighing - Fred went to school - Hiram not feeling well - I am about the house work as usual to day - I want to keep the Lord always before my face

 

Tues. Jan. 9, 1894

Pleasant all day - I went down to Lucinda Barmores [Lucinda is Ellen's sister-in-law.] - staid to meating at night ashley went also - This is a week all over the nation - praer [prayer] our church   


[On January 9, 1894, at Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Hon. Frederick Douglass delivered his "The Lessons of the Hour" speech (a Library of Congress holding), which addressed the often referred to "Negro problem" of the time. Refusing to believe that African Americans were to blame for the racial tension and violence between African Americans and whites, his speech included such topics as lynching, suffrage, colonization and the need for America to eliminate prejudice and adhere to its founding principles. (See Internet Archive for the full text.)]

 
Wednesday 10  
Snowing but no sleighing - I am haveing a cold started - Hiram went over to Masons to help him off to Town to contracted his Pigs for 7 cts

Thur. Jan. 11, 1894

Snowed a little - I am sick in bed with a cold - Lucinda B came up to day - Hiram doing the hous work he does well at it - Mason killed hogs for Mr Allen to day


Friday 12

Pleasant all day - Hiram & Fred doing the washing - I am up but do nuthing but knit

 

Sat, Jan. 13, 1894

Pleasant all day - Lucinda came up to bake for me - I am feeling better to dayHiram & Mason went down to the Newton farm - Brother & Sister Cross came over [The Crosses and Sealys attended the same church.]

 

Sunday 14

Pleasant to day - they all went to meating but me - Otis & Selma came up to Supper

 

Mon. Jan. 15, 1894

Raining all day - Hiram went to Town to day - Croses folks went homeMason came over here a little while - we have mud mud

 

Tuesday 16

Pleasant all day - We are all qite well - Hiram & Mason went down to the Newton farm to look it over - I am buisy at hous work

 

Wed. Jan. 17, 1894

Pleasant - but mud all the while - Hiram went to Town again to day - Otis came up in the morning paid his Father some money - Mason came over at night.

 

Thursday 18 

Raining qite hard - I am ironing to day - Hiram & Fred helping Mason bootcher pigs - Ashley went home to day - it is lonesome without him at our home

 

Fri. Jan. 19, 1894

Pleasant Sun Shone - Mason & Hiram went to Town with hogspork is 7 cts per pound - Fred doing chores

 

Saturday 20

Raining - Hiram went to the Village bought bought Flour &  Sugar & Crackers & Coffee beafFred washing I am helping a little - Sold 2½ doz eggs at 20 cts per doz

 

Sun. Jan. 21, 1894

Raining - mud mud all the while - Hiram & Fred went to church I did not go out

 

Monday 22

Pleasant all day - I am bakeing cookies & Bread - Hiram went over to Austens & to Town in the afternoon - Mason came over after a sack of flour - Hiram got money out of the Bank - Criseys Bank




Tues. Jan. 23, 1894

Pleasant all day - Hiram went up to the village - Otis came up - I am making mince pies buisy as bees - Mason went to Town

 

Wednesday 24

Snowing & Blowing - Hiram

went over to Masons after waggon - I am making myself a waist - Mason & Cristelle & Ashley went to Blanch Harris & George Tompkin wedding

 

["Waist" is the abbreviated form of "shirtwaist." Popular in the 1890s, shirtwaists were women's blouses fashioned after men's shirts. They had buttons, and often pleats, down the front. Sometimes women wore them with a black tie around the neck.]

 

[Between the demise of restrictive bustles in the late 1880s and the practicality of the comfortable shirtwaist throughout the 1890s, women were able to move more freely and participate in an activity that had become all the rage...riding bicycles.]  

 

  

 

 


  
*         *         *

 

 

 

[Right: The young woman cyclist in this 1890s

tintype is wearing a pleated shirtwaist.

(Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History)]

 

 

Let me tell you what I think of bicycling.

I think it has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. I stand 

and rejoice every time I see a woman ride

by on a wheel. It gives a woman a feeling

 of freedom and self reliance.


~ Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906), 

women's rights activist  


 
 

*         *         *

 

 

Thur. Jan. 25, 1894 

Snowing qite bad - Hiram drew one load of lumber down to the flat - I am buisy all day long

 

Friday 26

Snowing no sleighing - I am at work at my trade - Hiram toock a load of lumber down to Ross Mill - Mason came over at night

 

Sat. Jan. 27, 1894

Pleasant - Mason & Manda came over to take up carpet - Hiram and Fred went down to the new home with a load & cleaned out the barn - I am buisy as a bee - my hard

 

Sunday 28

Pleasant to day - Hiram is in with a cold I am in also - Fred went to Sabbath School

 

Mon. Jan. 29, 1894

Snowing & blowing - Hiram went down to our new home to move Mrs Newton things goods - Mason bootchered a cow

                                                                              

Tuesday 30                                                      

Pleasant - sleighing - Mason toock beef to Town - Hiram doing choers all day - Frederic doing Otises choers so he can draw lumber from Town

 

Wed. Jan. 31, 1894

Snowing - Sleighing - Hiram toock a load of wood down to the flat house - Mason toock Manda Johnson home & bought a beaf

 

[February]

 

Thur. Feb.1

Pleasant  Sleighing - all well - Hiram & Otis went to Town - Mason killed heifer for beef we had one qarter of beef of him - Sold 3 doz of Eggs 16 cts per doz

 

Fri. Feb. 2, 1894

Pleasant all day - Sleighing - Candlemas the Bear must have seen his shadoe - Hiram toock one load of goods down to the flat - Mason helping load up - we bought a qarter of Beef - I am packing up to move & so is life but the Lord makes happy sole & boddy     

[Candlemas the Bear? This piqued my interest. As it turns out, Imbolc, Candlemas, and Groundhog Day are three traditions linked by a common dateFebruary 2. Imbolc was a festival based on a Celtic celebration in the ancient, pre-Christian British Isles around 500 BC. The "Feast of Lights" marked the halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox (Feb. 1-2). Candlemas Day, celebrated in European countries, has its roots in Christianity, beginning around the 4th century AD. It is observed on February 2. Groundhog Day was first observed in the U.S. on February 2, 1887. This comes from a German tradition of a hibernating animal predicting how much longer winter will last. Also see Candlemas.]

Saturday 3   

Pleasant & Sleighing - good for the People to do some work that they could not do without Sleighing - Hiram drew one load of furniture to day


Sun. Feb. 4, 1894

Snowing - Sleighing - Hiram & Fred went to meating - Mason came over a little while

 

Monday 5

Pleasant - Sleighing - we washing & the men thrashing Beans & drew one load of wood - we are packing up to move - Mason toock Grandpa over to Elery to day

 

Tues. Feb. 6, 1894

Pleasant & warm - The men drew one load of goods down to the flat & making stansels for the cows - I am all alone Except the dog to day - I am happy to day - religion makes me happy

 

Wednesday 7

Pleasant - Sleighing - We are moveing every day - I am tierd out

 

Thurs. Feb. 8, 1894

Endis Barmore died - Pleasant - Sleighing - yet Hiram moveing & I am buisy packing up

 

Friday 9

Raining - mud & we went up to the Village - Mr Wilson paid rent - Hiram bought 2 Sacks of flour 2 pound coffee 5 gal oil 1 pound soda - Hiram & Fred had their hair cut

 

Sat. Feb. 10, 1894

Snowing & wind - All mud - Hiram & Fredric moving - yet I am picking up - our qartely meating begins to day but I do not go out in the wind & storm

 

Sunday 11

Snowing still but not any sleighing - Hiram & Fred went down to meating & to Erdis Barmores funeral she will be berried at ross flats cemetery

 

Mon. Feb. 12, 1894

Snowing & blowing verry hard - we moved every thing full of snow bad beginning

 

 

  Tuesday 13 

  Snowing - Sleighing - Hiram drew another

  load 

  of goods - I am almost crazy with a mus - Otis 

  went down to falconer after mr Hult

 
  Wed. Feb. 14, 1894
  Snowing - Sleighing - Hiram & the man   went 
  after a load of hens & Turkeys & Pigs & so on
  I am unpacking what I packed up & so it is all
  through life - Mason & Cristelle bee married 6 
  years to day Valentine Day


  [Left: Mason Allen Sealy (1865-1938), wife
  Cristelle Harris (1867-1923), and son Ashley 
  Draton Sealy (1889-1923) Photo ca. 1890-
  1891.]
 
 
 
 
 
Thursday 15
Snowing good Sleighing - Mason drew on load down here to day - Hiram fixing barn - I am tierd all the time every thing in a mus
 
Fri. Feb. 16, 1894
Pleasant  Sleighing - it is very cold this morning indeed - Hiram went to Jamestown bought new carpet for the stairs & curtains - Otis & Mason came here
                                                                              
Saturday 17
Pleasant but cold - Hiram & the man making barn doors - Fred came down with a load of goods for Mason - I am buisy trying to streighten to put things in place
                                                                                 
Sun. Feb. 18, 1894                                                    
Pleasant - thawing, we went to Levant to meating - Mason came down at night on his speeder on the rail road [The Dunkirk, Allegany Valley & Pittsburgh Railroad went through Ross Mills and Gerry. Was Mason's speeder a velocipede and how did he come to have it?]
 
Early mechanized level party with hand-velocipede. (1902 NOAA John Hayford Album)

Monday 19
Pleasant all day - Mason came down upon his speeder - Hiram & the man went up to the farm drove the cattle down - Fred went back with Mason
 
Tues. Feb. 20, 1894
Pleasant - Hiram went to Town - we washing - Sleighing
 
Wednesday 21
Snowing - Sleighing - Hiram went after feed & went after one load of wood - I am coocking & ironing day long - Sleighing & verry cold indeed
 
Thurs. Feb. 22, 1894
Snowing - Hiram drew one load of wood to day - verry cold but good but good Sleighing
 

1881 Land Ownership map for Ross Mills (ancestry.com)

  Friday 23
  Snowing & blowing verry hard - Hiram & 
  Dave went up to the Gates [?] farm after 
  a load of hay - Mason drew one load of
  goods dow to Sealey flats [This must be 
  what the family decided to call the former
  Charley Newton farm in Ross Mills.]
 
  Sat. Feb. 24, 1894
  Pleasant but verry cold indeedI am 
  doing my hous work am all alone - Hiram 
  went up to Masons after their goods - we 
  are all down on Sealy flats
 
  Sunday 25
  Pleasant - Sleighing - we at home all day 
  - Mason & Fred went up to Partridge farm 
  to do choers - it is verry lonesome to 
  stay at home all day Sunday
 
  Mon. Feb. 26, 1894
  Pleasant as summer - Sleighing Hiram 
  helping white wash Masons hous - Mrs 
  Hull cleaning the hous - Mason drew a
  load down
 
  Tuesday 27
  Pleasant - Sleighing gone - Hiram drew 
  one jag [load] of hay - Mason & Oscar 
  Partridge setteled up - he still moving - 
  I am at my old trade - hous work of 
  coarse but I am thankful I am not on 
  the sick bed
 
  [The A. Hull residence highlighted in 
  orange could be the home of Mrs. Hull 
  who helped Ellen with housework on 
  occasion.]
 
Pleasant - Sleighing gone - Hiram drew one jag of hay - Mason drew one load of goods & drove down his cattle - Charley Newton toock dinner with us
 

[March]

Thurs. March 1
Pleasant - Hiram went up & got Cristelle & the children & Mason drew his last load cattle & hogs [Ashley was almost 5 years old; Marguerite was almost 2½.]  
                           
Pleasant - mud mud - Hiram & Mr. Shepardson went to Slington [?] - Mason getting his things moved - Fredrick helping me in the hous
 
Otis Robert Sealy (1868-1930)
Saturday 3
Pleasant all day - Otis had a cow sale - Hiram went to it 
- Mason drew one cord of wood to Gordon - Fred went 
to the sale also
 
Sun. March 4, 1894
Pleasant all day - I am with a coald - Hiram & Fred went to church
 
Monday 5
Pleasant all day - Hiram & Otis went to Town - Selma came down & Staid while they were gone - Hiram bought Mason one sack of flour & 10 pounds of sugar                
 
Tues. March 6, 1894
Pleasant - very muddy - Hiram putting down carpets - I am nearly sick with a colds - Mason went to Falconer after feed
 
Wednesday 7
Pleasant - Hiram went to Town, bought me one pair of shoes & Rented his house up in Town - Otis here at night - Otis had an heifer killed on the track
 
Thurs. March 8, 1894
Pleasant all day - I am sick with the Grip [influenza] - Hiram & Mason & Fredric Sawing blocks to put under the fence - I am feeling verry bad - the Lord knows what is best for me
 
Friday 9
Pleasant as summer - Hiram & Mason & Fred making lane fence - I am feeling a little better - Charley Newton toock one horse home with him - Jack Leonx [Lenox] bought timber off us
 
Sat. March 10, 1894
Pleasant - Mason went to town after roofing Hiram & Fred making fence - I am at hous work
                                                                               
Sunday 11
Pleasant - We are at home all day did not go to church - Mason & Cristelle had cumpany
 
 

 
Mon. March 12, 1894
Pleasant - Hiram & Mason putting roof on hous - I am Sewing & doing hous work
 
Tuesday 13  
Pleasant - Hiram went up & helped Otis draw down his piano & then went up to the Gates place after a load of things
 
Snowing but no Sleighing - Mrs Harris & her Father to Masons - Hiram at home all day - Mason hunting for old doll [most likely for Marguerite] - I am not doing mutch nowadays but my cold is a little better
 
Thursday 15  
Pleasant - Hiram helping in the hous putting up curtains & putting down carpets - Hiram traided horses with Jack Leonx [Lenox]
 
Fri. March 16, 1894
Pleasant indeed - Mason & Fred drew one load of hay from the Gates place - I ironed & felt bad all day - from Bateses grocery we received one sack of flour 2 pounds of coffee half pound Bakeing powder 1 package matches

Saturday 17
Pleasant as Summer to day - all Nature is clothed in beauty - Hiram went to Levant - Mason drew hay & drew Gordon one load of wood - fire distroid part of Ross Mills to day
 
Sun. March 18 , 1894  
Pleasant - the little Birds are a singing o the spring time is so pleasant out - I cannot get out verry mutch & have a bad cough yet but my Lord understands all about it - Mason & Cristelle went to Mungers to eat Sugar
 
[The Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act of 1894 lowered tariffs, allowing the big American sugar companies of Cuba to flood the domestic market with cheap sugar.]

Selma A. Hult (1872-1896)
  
  Monday 19
  Pleasant - Hiram went to the village - Selma came
  down & staid 
 
  Tues. March 20, 1894
  Pleasant - we washing - Mason plowing - Hiram 
  at home all day - I am doing my work all alone
 
  Wednesday 21
  Raining - Mrs Morton made me a coll [called on 
  Ellen?] - Hiram makeing fence - Mason went to 
  with Eggs & Butter [to town?] - Sold 5 doz Eggs 14 
  cts per doz
 
  Thurs. March 22, 1894
  Rained - Hiram bought 4 cows of Otis - Mason went
  to Gerry
 
  Friday 23
  Pleasant - Hiram making Wire fence - Mason &
  Cristelle had cumpany - I am covering my rocking
  chair
 
 
 
Sat. March 24 , 1894
Pleasant - Hiram & Fred up to the Mason Sealey farm plowing & fixing fence - Brother Cross & wife came here at night - I am covering chair - Mason went to Town
 
Spring Ploughing in New England, c. 1899. George E. Tingley, photographer. (LOC)

 
Sunday 25
Snowing - Hiram & Brother Cross & wife went to  Church - I am at home every day
 
Mon. March 26, 1894
Snowing & blowing qite bad - our men drew 2 loads of hay from the Gates farm - I am bakeing today - Ashley is at our hous
 
Tuesday 27
Snowing - our men at home all day putting down curtain - I am at my traid doing the work in house
 
Wed. March 28, 1894
Pleasant - the men drew wood out of the woods - Ed Vandewark came here - Mason & 
Cristelle went to Gerry to a sugar party - Mr Nelson staid here all night [Mr. Nelson was hired as temporary help on the farm.]
 
Thursday 29
Pleasant - Mr. Nelson here trimming apple trees - Hiram went up to Gerry to see about getting money
 
Fri. March 30, 1894
Pleasant - Fred went to Falconer after feed - Hiram at home all day - Mason drew out wood - I am still going the round with my work
 
Saturday 31
Pleasant - Hiram at work in the woods with Otis oxen - Otis went to the village with Charley - Cristelle & the children came over here - Mason & Fred drew hay
                     
[April]

Sun. April 1, 1894
Pleasant - we were at home - Cristelle is sick this morning she fainted away - the Lord help her to see it is not all of death to die but we have all got meet the judgement o that she might be wise unto salvation
 
Monday 2
Pleasant - we washing - Hiram went up to Gerry - Mason churned - Otis sick with grip
 
Tues. April 3, 1894
Pleasant - Hiram & Mason went to Town - Mrs. Harris came to Masons - Mr Sears went Town - Otis feeling bad - Sold Butter for 18 cts & 4 doz Eggs for 12 cts per doz
 
Wednesday 4
Snowing - our men all at home all day - they are plowing - Cristelle made a visit to Mr. Mungers - Ashley home with me
 
Fred Fairbanks (1880-1944)
Thurs. April 5, 1894
Snowing - Hiram went up to the Williams place to fix the Pump - Mason & Fred plowing - Otis is sick with a bad cold -  
I am feeling qite well again
 
Friday 6
Snowing - Hiram at home all day - Mason & Fredric plowing 
- I am doing hous work - Otis & Selma went to Town - Otis sick with a bad cold
 
Sat. April 7, 1894   
Snowing to day qite a little - our men all at home all day - Brother McGeary Stopped here at night - Mr Hickox came here to stay all night - Mr Hickock here to supper 
[Temporary hired help, such as Mr. Hickock, sometimes stayed with the family.] 
 
Sunday 8
Pleasant - we went up to Otises a little while to see for the children - Otis not very well - Mr Hickok here all day  
 
Mon. April 9, 1894
Pleasant - Mason & Fred drove 3 cows to Town - Hiram went after feed to Falconer - I am at work as usual at my trade hous work - Mr. Hickock here all day

Tuesday 10 
Snowing - the ground covered with snow - our men at home all day - Mason helping Talor kill a cow - I am making carpet - Mr. Hickock here all day   

Wed. April 11, 1894 

Snoing again to day - there is a qite a little snow - the men drew out wood to day - I am making carpet for Bed room - Mr. Hickcock here all day

 

 

     *         *         *       

 

[Ellen could have been making a rag rug or a hooked rug. She only mentions it in three entries but I imagine it would have taken longer than that to complete the rug. Rag rugs, usually made from old, worn out woolen clothing torn into strips and then braided, coiled, knitted, crocheted, or woven together, were popular in the 1890s to about 1910. Hooked rugs were made by using a tool similar to a crochet hook to pull loops of fabric scraps through a backing material, usually feed sacks in the late 1800s.]

 

A crocheted rag rug in progress (HubPages)

Left: Rug hooking tool (Mother Earth News) and right: A work in progress (dreamstime)

 
CANADIAN RUG RHYME 
 
I am the family wardrobe,
Best and worst of all the generations from the first,
Grandpa's Sunday-go-to-meetin' coat,
And the woolen muffler he wore at his throat;
Grandma's shawl, that came from Fayal;
 
Ma's wedding gown, three times turned and once let down,
Which once was plum but now turned brown;
Pa's red flannels, that made him itch;
Pants and shirts; petticoats and skirts;
From one or another, but I can't tell which.
 
Tread carefully, because you see, if you scuff me.
You scratch the bark of the family tree.

~ Unknown, circa 19th century

 

*         *         *

 

Thursday 12

Hiram went to the city to  dayMason drew drafts to Peaters for wood - I went over to Masons staid all day - Mr. Hickock here to breakfast - Sold one doz Eggs 12 cts

 

Fri. April 13, 1894

Pleasant and nice as summer to day - our men went after hay up to the Partridge place - I am making carpet

 

Saturday 14

Pleasant - we churned & the men at home at work all day - Otis & Selma were to supper - Amon commensed work for a year [Amel not Amon – see Apr 24]

 

Sun. April 15, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram & Fred went to church I went up to see Otis - he is better of his cold - I will thank the Lord for all of his benefits to us - Praise the Lord

 

Monday 16

Pleasant - Hiram & Fredric F went after hay up to the Gates place - Mason helping Otis get fence posts - Otis is better - I am bakeing

 

Two women in a kitchen, 1892.
 

Tues. April 17, 1894

Pleasant - we washing - the men at home all day - I cought cold as usual

 

Wednesday 18

Pleasant - the men drew brush today & I went over to Masons a little - no news today

 

Thurs. April 19, 1894

Pleasant - our men at home all day - they churned & sowing a few oats - I went over to Masons - Otis went to Town

 

Friday 20

Raining - Mason & Fredric went to Town - sold Butter for 20 cts per pound - bought Fredric a new pair of shoes - Sold ½ doz Eggs for 12 cts per doz

 

Sat. April 21, 1894

Rained - Mason & the man making milk stand - Hiram went the village - Hickox trimming to apple trees for Mason - Bought 1 sack of flour & ½ doz Lemmons - Hiram bought [incomplete]

 

Sunday 22

Pleasant - we were at home all day - I am the victim of another cold

Mon. April 23, 1894 

Pleasant - Hiram went to Jamestown - Mason at home all day - I am at home all day - Ashley is sick with cold at our house

 

Tuesday 24

Pleasant All day - Hiram went to Town again to day - I am not verry well having a cold all of the time - Mason & Amel went aft the cattle Hiram bought

 

Wed. April 25, 1894

Pleasant every day - Hiram started after cows to day [He was gone for 11 days.]

 

Thursday 26

Pleasant - have not heard from Hiram yet - Mason working on the road & went to Gerry - I went over to Masons to help churn

 

Fri. April 27, 1894

Pleasant - it verry pleasant indeed - o the spring time I enjoy so mutch - I have got a bad cough - Cristelle went up to Gerry after some cough syrup for me - Mason sowing oats & peas - Sold 6½ doz Eggs at 12 cts per doz

 

Saturday 28

Pleasant all day - Cristelle is sick & I went over there to help do the work - Mason shearing his sheep

 

Sun. April 29, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram still away buying cows - I hope he will be with cristian people to day - I am lonesome this sabboth day - but the Lord is present with me

 

Monday 30

Pleasant still - Mason planted potatoes & sowed oats the first - I am doing hous work to day & every day

[May]

Tues. May 1, 1894

Pleasant - Mason sowing oats - Fred went after feed to Falconer - I am Sick & Cristelle is sick also with a bad cough - Hiram has not returned home yet - Sold 2 doz Eggs for 12 cts per doz

 

Wednesday 2

Pleasant - Mason making a place for the cows when they come - Otis went to Falconer after feed - 9 callers today - Lucinda staid all night with me

 

Thurs. May 3, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram has not came home yet - Mason & the Boys sowing oats up on the Williams place - I went over to Masons in the after noon

 

Friday 4

Pleasant - beatuful spring - Hiram has not came home yet we loocking for him every night - Otis came down to supper

Sat. May 5, 1894 

Raining - Hiram comeing to night did come - Mason & Fred went to Falconer at 10 o’clock at night to drive them home but it was so dark they had to leave them till Sunday morning - I went over to Masons - Mrs Harris & Mrs Munger came to Masons

 

Sunday 6

Rained a little - we did not realize mutch Sunday it happened so the Lord forgive us the Lord he is good

 

Mon. May 7, 1894

Pleasant - indeed all day - Hiram went to Jamestown in the afternoon - I am peaceing parlor carpet - Mason finished shearing his sheep - Fredric Farebanks & Amel plowing

 

Tuesday 8

Pleasant - the Boys sowing oats - Hiram selling cows - Get one hen upon Turkeys Eggs - Sold 4 doz of Eggs for 12 cts per doz

 

Wed. May 9, 1894

Pleasant all day - well Hiram went to Town again to day - Mason & the Boys sowing Oats - I am doing nothing mutch but cough - Mrs Hul washing for us

 

Thursday 10

Pleasant - I am coughing all the day the long - the men making wire fence - I am making a Shirt for Fred - Otis over on the Nickels place

 

Fri. May 11, 1894

Pleasant - HN Sealy & Mason was at home sowing Oats - I am doeing a work around the house I am feeling qite bad

 

Saturday 12

Pleasant - Hiram went to qartely meating - I am at home every day - Sister Cross & Ada here

                                                                               

Sun. May 13, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram wen to qartely meating - I am in yet do not fee verry well

                                                        

Monday 14

Pleasant - Mason went to Town with his wool - Hiram at home all day - Otis was 28 years old today - we bought one sack of flour - Sold 3 doz Eggs for 10 cts per doz

 

Tues. May 15, 1894

PleasantHiram at home all day he making garden - Mason went over to Mr Mungers to blast stone - I am at my trade coocking & washing dishes, the Lord is on my side if I do his will

Wednesday 16 

Pleasant - Mason went to town with calves - Hiram putting garden - I am busy as a bee

 

The Old Farm Yard. Stereograph card (left side) by Geo. Barker, photographer, Niagara Falls, New York, copyright 1890. (Library of Congress)

Thurs. May 17, 1894

Rained to day - Mason diped his lambs in tobacco - Hiram busy at home all day - I am qite busy & feeling a little better to day - Fred Fairbanks went a fishing but caught none

 

[Immersing sheep (sheep dipping) in a solution that contained nicotine and other noxious chemicals killed insect pests such as sheep scab and lice.]

 

Friday 18

Rained to day - Hiram & myself put down the carpet in the dining room - Mason & the boys drove his sheep up to the [incomplete]

 

It rained from Friday, May 18 through Sunday the 20th. The Sealy farm was less than a 1/2 mile from Cassadaga Creek and Folsom Creek flowed through their property.

Sat. May 19, 1894

Raining verry hard - verry high watter - our men at home ecept Hiram & Otis went up to Fred Barmores & Otis sold some cattle to Mr Partridge - I am around the hous

Sunday 20

Raining - we all inside the watter verry high in the casedaga crick

 


The Town of Ellicott, Chautauqua County, New York cropped from an 1881 land ownership and reference atlas. (ancestry.com) Notice that the Dunkirk, Allegheny Valley & Pittsburgh Railroad (in green) runs through Ross Mills. I added highlighting and additional labeling.

Mon. May 21, 1894

Pleasant - Mason & Fred went after hay - Hiram helping wash & fixing fence - I am tired

 

Tuesday 22

Pleasant - Hiram making fence - Mason & Fredric went after hay - I am bakeing Bread & pies

 


Wed. May 23, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram went up to Jerrys to Gerry - Sister McGeary came here - HN bought a new pair of rubber boots - Hiram got a new Boock title health wealth hapiness - Arbella Ross paid 3 dollars on pasture 

 

[Health, Wealth and Happiness: How to Attain and Retain Each to the End of Life by Edward S. Ellis, published in 1892]

 

Thursday 24

Raining - the ground all afloat the men making wire fence - I went over to Masons a little while

 

Fri. May 25, 1894

Rained - I went up to Otises - Cristelle & the children went up to Searses - Hiram went over to see his Father - Mason & the Boys drew manure & Otis also drew manure

 

 

Saturday 26

Pleasant - Hiram & Fred making board fence - Mason & Amel drew manure - I went over to masons a little while

 

Sun. May 27, 1894

Pleasant - we were at home except going up to the Williams place - Mason & Cristelle went over to Harrises

                                                        

Monday 28

Mason went to Town bought Fred a new pair of rubber Boots & Mason a new pair - Hiram fixing fence - I am about the hous work - Sold 8 doz & ½ of Eggs for 10½ ct per doz

 

Tues. May 29, 1894

Raining - we washing - Hiram fixing fence - Mason & Fredric dragging corn ground

 



 

  Wednesday 30 

  Raining - every day our men planted a little corn -

  Cristelle & the Baby went over to Mr Mungers - Mrs 

  Hult came up to Otises 

 

  [Left: Selma with her adopted parents, Conrad 

  Hult and Katie I. Johnson]


  Thurs. May 31, 1894

  Rain every day - our men planting corn - Otis

  went to Town - I am at home every day

  Cristelle gone away

  [June]

  Fri. June 1 

  Raining every day - Hiram & Fred went up to

  Fred Barmore mill - Mason & Amel cleaning out the 

  sellar - I am busy about my buisness - Hiram

  helping Otis get his engine out of the woods

  [Did Otis have a steam engine of some type to 

  help with the logging?] 


 
 

Line drawing of a Burrell Universal type Ploughing Engine from around 1890 (Wikimedia)
 

Sat. June 2, 1894

Rained all day - the men around the hous all day - this is a world of angsiety & care but life is short at the longest

 

Sunday 3

Pleasant - till night & we had more rain - it would be surprised to se one peasant day all day long

 

Mon. June 4, 1894

Pleasant - we washed - Hiram went to Town - Mason went to Town with wood - Fredric went up to Otises - I am at home every day - bought one Sack flour

                                                                                

Tuesday 5

Pleasant - Hiram in the woods with Otises oxen drawing logs - Mason & Fredric helping Otis about his corn ground - Cristelle & the children went up to Gerry on the train - Set one turkey

 

Wed. June 6, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram in the woods skidding logs - Mason went up to Gerry - Fredric helping Otis plant corn

 

Thursday 7

Raining - our men all in the woods all day - Otis planting cornI am around the hous to work

 

Fri. June 8, 1894

Pleasant all day - the men all in the woods all day - drew logs to the crick - I am making me a new sun Bonnet

 

Saturday 9

Pleasant - Hiram went up to the Village & to Mr Hoopers - Mason sick all day - did not do any work - I am buisy of cows

 

Sun. June 10, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram & Fredric went to meating - Mason went after the family - Otis down to the Barn at night

 

Monday 11

Pleasant all day - Hiram [lauging?] for Potatoes - Mason drew lumber for Barn - I am cleaning hous a little

 

Tues. June 12, 1894

Pleasant - the men drew lumbe from Levant - I am working the hous - Otis went up to Jerry farm [Hiram's brother, Jeremiah] - had one jar of Butter

 

Wednesday 13

Pleasant - Hiram finished clearing off a peace for potatoes - Mason drew lumber from Levant - I am washing to day

 

*         *         *

 


Below: A mangle manufactured by the American Wringer Company of New York, circa 1898.


Gibson House Museum


Wash Day A Backyard Reminiscence of Brooklyn. 1886. William Merritt Chase. Oil on panel. (Wikimedia)
 

(Wikimedia Commons - Photo by Gnangarra - CC 2.5).
Ironing was another time-consuming task that required strength. Irons in the late 1800s usually had bases that were a solid block of metal. Also called sad irons (from "sadiron" meaning "solid" or heavy iron), they could weigh between five and nine pounds.


To be efficient, two irons were needed. One could be heating on the stove or in front of a fire while the other was in use.

 

Right: Tranby House irons, 1800s

 

 

 *         *         *

 

Thurs. June 14, 1894  

Pleasant but warm - Hiram & Cristelle & Ashley & myself went to Town - bought Ashley a new suit of clothes & myself a shawl also

 

Friday 15

Hiram clearing of a peace for potatoes - Mason drew lumber from Levant - I am buisy at my work - Otis & Selma went to Town

 

Sat. June 16, 1894

Pleasant - I went up to Otises a little while - Hiram finished the potatoe ground - Mason drew lumber - Otis sowing corn

 

Sunday 17

Pleasant - we were at home all day - Mr & Mrs Barmore Hubbard were here

 

Mon. June 18, 1894

Raining at night - Mason drew lumber - Hiram went up to Gerry & Mr Hult came up from Town - Otis in trouble with sweed

 

Tuesday 19

Pleasant - I am washing - Hiram & Otis went up to the Sweeds at the Frank Ferry farm - I am washing again today

 

Wed. June 20, 1894

Pleasant - Mr & Mrs Hooper & Mr Mrs Vandewark came here - Father Sealy came here - Hiram at home all day - Mason drew lumber - Otis went to Town   

 

Thursday 21

Pleasant all day - Hiram & Mason went up to Gerry - cut logs and drew to the mill - drew lumber home at night - I am cleaning hous

 

Fri. June 22, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram toock Calves to Kenerdy to sell - Mason drew lumber - Fred & Amel working on the road - I ironed & buisy all day long

 

Saturday 23

Pleasant

 

Sun. June 24, 1894

Pleasant - we went to meating to day - we all qite well & it is work all of the time

 

Monday 25

Rain verry hard - I am washing a little - the men all at home all day helping rais the Barn & mowing the first

 

Tues. June 26, 1894

Pleasant - I am washing again to day - our men buisy about the farn & building a Barn

 

Wednesday 27

Pleasant - the men around home & drew lumber & stone - I am about the hous work

 

Thurs. June 28, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram helping Mr Simms lay wall under the Barn - Mason & Fredric drew

 

Friday 29

Pleasant - the men drew their hay in - Mason sowing Buckwheat - I am ironing - had one jar of Butter whole weight 7½ pounds

 

  Sat. June 30, 1894

  Pleasant - Hiram & Mr Simmons 

  laying wall under Barn - Mason 

  drew lumber - I am bakeing and 

  getting meals - Otis came verry 

  near getting killed the waggon

  whee [wheel] run over his head

 

  July 

 

  Sun. July 1

  Pleasant - we were at home all day 

  - HN & Ashley & myself went up to 

  Otises a little while

 

  Mon. July 2, 1894

  Raining at night - Mr. Simmons

  laying wall under Barn - Hiram

  in the woods cutting sleepers

  for the Barn - I am washing -

  Otis is sowing buckwheat

 

  Tuesday 3 

  Pleasant - HN went to Town -  

  Mason mowing - I am around the

  hous to work - Mr. Simmons 

  werking for Otis

 

  Wed. July 4, 1894

  Hiram & Mason haying - Fredric 

  went to Town - I am at home all 

  day

 

 

Thursday 5

Pleasant - all day the men haying - we are all qite well - I thank my Lord for all things done for our eternal welfare

 

Fri. July 6, 1894

Pleasant - the men haying a little to day - all at home all day - happy day that fixed my choice - it makes my heart rejoice

 

Saturday 7

Rained - Cristelle & Ashley & myself went up to Berdet Strongs - Mason drew lumber - Hiram at home all day

 

Sun. July 8, 1894

Pleasant - we went to church - Masons folks had cumpany

 

Monday 9

Pleasant - we washing - the men haying - Otis traided his engine for a farm with Jim nicols

 

Tues. July 10, 1894

Pleasant - the men haying - I went down to Roses & Cristelle also one jar of Butter

 

Wednesday 11

Pleasant - Hiram went to Town - we picking curents & went up to Otises & picked them over - haying every day

 

Thurs. July 12, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram & Ashley & myself went up to Hoopers - HN went to the village

 

Friday 13

Pleasant - the men all haying all day - I am at home all day

 

Sat. July 14, 1894

Pleasant & verry dry indeed - the men in the hay field every day

 

Sunday 15

Pleasant - Still we went to meating Fred Cristelle & myself

 

Mon. July 16, 1894

Pleasant - the men haying on the Williams place - Cristelle & myself toock their dinner to them - Mr Elis toock the mowing machine to Town

Tuesday 17 

Pleasant - the men haying all day - I am picking peas & buisy all day

 

Wed. July 18, 1894

Pleasant - the men buisy haying - I washing to day

 

Thursday 19

Pleasant - men still haying every day - they are all tired out - our milk went to Falconer - the first

 

Fri. July 20, 1894

Pleasant till night & then we had rain & we was glad for it was verry dry indeed - Otis finished haying - our men haying every day - I went & picked berries

 

Saturday 21

Raining - our men around home except Mason went up to Peat Johnsons - we had 1 jar of Butter 7 pounds

 

Sun. July 22, 1894

Pleasant - we went to qartely meating at Gerry - had spiritual meating indeed

 

Monday 23

Raining - the men did not do mutch in haying - I am buisy also - we are all qite well

 

Tues. July 24, 1894

Rain some of the time - Mason went to Town - Hiram went to Falconer after windows - Ashley went with him 

 

Wednesday 25

Pleasant - the men drew hay in the afternoon - I ironed & buisy all day long   I am drying Peas                      

 

                                                 

Thurs. July 26, 1894

Pleasant - the men all at home a haying - Cristelle & myself went up to Otises at night a little while

 

Friday 27

Pleasant - our men haying as fast as they can - Addie Sealy came here - Hiram rote a card to mowing machine man

                                                                              

Sat. July 28, 1894

Pleasant - men a haying - I am getting ready for camp meating  - I am tired out


Sunday 29

Pleasant - Cristelle toock Addie Sealy up to Gerry - we at home all day

 

Mon. July 30, 1894

Pleasant - the men haying - I am getting ready for camp - it makes us a great deal of work

 

Tuesday 31

Pleasant - we started for camp meating - Hiram toock the load & Cristelle & Ashley & myself he drove back home at night

 

 *       *       *

 

[Camp meetings were outdoor religious revival meetings that typically lasted from a few days to a week. It's likely the camp Ellen attended was held on the grounds of present-day Chautauqua Institution, founded in 1874 by an Methodist inventor and a Methodist Episcopal bishop. It began as a tent-camp assembly where Sunday School teachers were trained, and grew to a place with permanent structures - cottages, rooming houses, inns, and hotels - where people still gather in the summer to attend programs about religion, the arts, music, and education.]


An 1897 Rand McNally map of Chautauqua County, NY (Pinterest) The red line represents the location of the Bemus Point-Stow ferry. The Sealys could have used the ferry (at the time it was a raft that was rowed or pulled across the lake) or traveled around the lake to get to Chautauqua. Either way, the nearly 22-mile trip would probably have taken over five hours one way with four people, luggage, and other items in a carriage or wagon pulled by two horses. Travel on the dirt roads of the time was even more difficult due to the hilly terrain of the area.

*       *       *

August

Wed. Aug. 1, 1894

Pleasant - we at camp putting up our things

 

Thursday 2

Pleasant - we are on the camp ground - haveing a good time - we had a jar of Butter

 

Fri. Aug. 3, 1894

Pleasant - we are still on the camp ground still - Maryett Hooper came here on the ground

 

Saturday 4

Pleasant - we are Still upon the camp ground - we are having a pleasant time - the Lord be praised

 

Sun. Aug. 5, 1894

Pleasant - we are on the camp ground - a great many people here - we are here in jesus name

 

Monday 6

Pleasant & verry dry - we are still at camp

 

Tues. Aug. 7, 1894

Pleasant - we are still at camp meating

 

Wednesday 8

Pleasant - the camp meating out

 

Thurs. Aug. 9, 1894

Pleasant - we came home to day - it is qite sickley

 

Friday 10

Pleasant - I am washing - the men at work on the road- Ashley sick to day

 

Sat. Aug. 11, 1894

Pleasant - we washing - HN went a berrying - Mason went to Town

 

Sunday 12

Pleasant - Fred & myself went to church - HN staid at home all day - Mason & Cristelle went over to Mungers

 

Mon. Aug. 13, 1894

Pleasant - the men killed hogs - Mr & Mrs Erving came here after a trunk - I am cleaning the chaimber

 

Tuesday 14

Pleasant - Mason toock hogs to Town - Hiram drew in Oats - Otis drew a log to the mill

Wed. Aug. 15, 1894 

Pleasant - Hiram & Amel weeding carots for Otis - I ironed - Cristelle coloring yarn

 

Thursday 16

Pleasant - the men makeing fence upon the Williams place - I am qite buisy to day

 

Fri. Aug. 17, 1894

Pleasant - Cristelle & the children went up to gerry & I went down to L R Barmore - our men drew Barley & makeing fence

 

Saturday 18

Pleasant

 

Sun. Aug. 19, 1894

Raining a little - HN Sealy  ME Vandewark & myself & AD Sealy went to church

 

Monday 20

Pleasant - HN & OR Sealy went to Town to see about note - I am around the house to work - Mason & Amel making fence - Fred went a Berrying - we had 1 jar Butter weight 9#

 

Tues. Aug. 21, 1894

Pleasant & verry dry - the men up to the Williams farm tairing down the old Barn - I ironed & doing the hous work

 

Wednesday 22

Pleasant dry no rain - we went to old lady Hatch funeral - the men putting the roof on Masons hous

 

Thurs. Aug. 23, 1894

Pleasant - our men at work up on the Williams Barn - Mason drew a load of wood to Falconer - Cristelle & the children & myself went up to Otises a little while

 

Friday 24

Pleasant - dry as ever - a famin awaits us

 

Sat. Aug. 25, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram & myself went up to the Village to see about selling his hous - I went to Hoopers - bought one sack Flour

 

Sunday 26

Pleasant & awful drye everything almost dead - we went to church - Mason & Cristelle & the children went over to Ed Vandewark

 

 

 

Mon. Aug. 27, 1894

Pleasant dry dry as never before - People feeding hay to their stock - grasshoppers thick - Otis had his Suit up to Gerry

 

Tuesday 28

Pleasant - Mason Cristelle & the children went up to Harrises to annaversey

 

Wed. Aug. 29, 1894

Pleasant - mason went to Town - Hiram & Fred & Amel making a bridge

 

Thursday 30

Pleasant & awful dry - Hiram went to the Village - Cristelle & Ashley went up to Searses - Lucinda & Edna came here - Otis horses nearly drouned in the crick

 

Fri. Aug. 31, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram & myself went up to see Lucinda Barmore - Mason drew wood to town - Cristelle cleaning hous

September 

 

Sat. Sept. 1

Pleasant - Cristelle & the children & myself went down to Jack Loxes [Lenox's?] - Hiram & Fred & Mason went to Town bought Fred a new suit of cloths - Mason had his teeth filled - had one jar Butter weight 9 + 8 oz

 

Sun. Sept. 2, 1894

Pleasant - Hot & Fred went to church - Ella Vanderwark & Lin & Hoss [?] & Lesley came here - staid all night

 

Monday 3

Pleasant - Ella & myself went up to Otises - I Baked Bread & Cookies & Pies & canned can of Peaches 

 

[The Mason Jar was invented in 1858. The Ball Corporation began manufacturing the canning jars in 1884. Prior to this, people in cold climates dried, smoked, pickled, salted, and fermented food to preserve it through the winter. They also canned food using a rather unreliable method that involved corking glass jars filled with food, sealing them with wax, wrapping the jars in canvas, and then boiling them.]

  

Tues. Sept. 4, 1894

Pleasant - I am washing - Hiram & Amel stretching more fence - Mason went to the fare

 

Wednesday 5

Raining - I canning plumbs - Hiram went to the village - Mason went to the fare

 

Thurs. Sept. 6, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram went to the village to get his hous rent - Mason went to the fare - I am about my hous work doing a little of every thing

 

Friday 7

Pleasant - Cristelle & the children & myself went over to Pattersons with carpet warp - Hiram went to Town - Mason went to Levant after lumber

 

*       *       *

 

[Carpet warp is the yarn used by weavers when making woven rag rugs. The warps run vertically around the horizontal frame bars on the loom, while the wefts (rag strips) run horizontally.]


Warp and weft yarns in weaving (Wikimedia)


  
*       *       *
 
Sat. Sept. 8, 1894

Raining - Mrs Hooper & Luela Erving came down - Hiram at home all day - Mason drew wood to Falconer

                                                            

Sunday 9

Pleasant - we went to Levant to meating - Bro Post preached

 

 
Mon. Sept. 10, 1894 
Rained - Mason & Cristelle & the children went up to Gerry - Hiram & Amel making dreen - I am bakeing

 

Tuesday 11

Pleasant - we washing - Selma & Gertrude came down [Gertrude, my grandmother, was almost two year old. Selma was about six weeks away from giving birth to another daughter.]


Wed. Sept. 12, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram & Ashley & myself went to Jamestown - Bought Ashley & Margarerette a new pair of Shoes

 

Thursday 13

Rained - our men in the woods to work - I am sick with a cold - Cristelle had bee to sew carpet rags  - one jar Butter 8-3/16#

 

Fri. Sept. 14, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram & myself went to Gerry to see if thare was a meating - Mason drew wood to Town - Otis went to Town - we are qite well - I am thankful to the Lord

 

Saturday 15

Pleasant - Hiram & Fred & Amel in the woods - Mason drew wood to Falconer - Cristelle & the children & myself went over to Patersons - & picked elder Berries

 

Sun. Sept. 16, 1894

Pleasant - we did not go to church - Lewis & Betsy & Otis & Selma came here - Cristelle & the children went over to Mungers

                                                                                

Monday 17

Pleasant - Hiram & Amel after Bull of Mikels - Mason in the hous all day - I am sick to day did not wash

 

Tues. Sept. 18, 1894

Pleasant all day but raining at night - Mason & Cristelle & the children went up to Tompkenes on a visit - Hiram drew lumber all day - I made Bread & pies & coockes to day

                                                                              

Wednesday 19

Raining - Mason went to Jamestown bought himself a new Suit of cloths - Hiram drew lumber for the new Barn - we washing & so on

 

Thurs. Sept. 20, 1894

Rained - the men at work on the Barn - I went over to Mason’s a little while - Otis came down at night  

 

Friday 21

Pleasant - Otis & the Boys makeing Barn yard fence - Mason drew wood to Falconer - I am about my work all sorts of it - HN sold his bull  - Otis & Selma went to Town

Sat. Sept. 22, 1894 

Pleasant - Hiram & myself went over to Brother Crosses at night - Mason drew wood to Falconer - Otis & Selma to Jamestown

 

Sunday 23

Rained - we went church at Waterboro - the men went in the evening

 

Mon. Sept. 24, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram & Mason came home from Crosses - Mason drew wood - Otis cutting up corn - Fred went to School - the note still running for Otis

 

Tuesday 25

Pleasant - Hiram & the Boys shingled Masons hous - I am makeing coockes & doing hous work - Verry buisy indeed - one jar of Butter weight 9 2/16#

 

Wed. Sept. 26, 1894

Pleasant - Mason drew wood - Hiram at home all day - they are shingleing roof to Masons hous - I am to buisy to tell all about it - the man came to buy cattle

 

Thursday 27

Pleasant - Hiram went to buy cattle to day - Mason drew wood

 

Fri. Sept. 28, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram off with the man buying cattle - Mason drew wood - I am canning tomatoes

 

Saturday 29

Pleasant - Hiram still off with the man - Fredric & myself washing - Mason & Cristelle & the children went to Gerry

 

Sun. Sept. 30, 1894

Pleasant - we went to Gerry to meating

 

     [Right: Canned fruits and vegetables (LOC)]


October


Mon. Oct. 1

Pleasant - HN went off to buy cattle again for man -  

Mason drew out wood - I am buisy all the day long

 

 

Tues. Oct. 2, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram & Cristell went to Town - Mason helping the man car cattle & drew out wood

 

Wednesday 3

Pleasant - Hiram drew wood & corn - I am tieing my crazy work qilt - I am not feeling a bit well

Thurs. Oct. 4, 1894 

Pleasant - I went ove to Masons - Hiram about home all day - Mason went up on Harris hill - Otis traided horses with Damon - Thank the Lord for all of his mercies to me

 

Friday 5

[blank]

 

Sat. Oct. 6, 1894

Pleasant - got washing - Fred is a home to help - Hiram at home all day - Mason drew wood - the Lord is good I am loocking up

 

Sunday 7

Pleasant - we went to meating - Mason & Cristelle went up at night to hear a woman from Afraca lecture

 

Mon. Oct. 8, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram painting floor & picking apples - Mason drew wood to Falconer - I am coocking - HN went to Town school meating at night

 

Tuesday 9

Raining - Mason went to Town he bought himself a new suit of cloths - HN at home all day - I am at my trade  man work is between sun & sun but Womans work is never done - the men at work on the Williams Barn

 

Wed. Oct. 10, 1894

Pleasant - the men at work on the Williams Barn & gathering apples - I am ironing - Hiram went to Town - had one jar of Butter 8 + 10 oz

 

Thursday 11

Pleasant - I went over to help Cristelle tie her cumfater [comforter] - the men at work on the Barn & picking apples

 

Fri. Oct. 12, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram toock his father up to Jerry Sealys - I went up to Otises a little while - Mason drew wood to Falconer

                                                                               

Saturday 13

Rained & thunder & lightning - we washed & the men gatherd apples - I am bakeing Bread - Otis traided a colt for a horse - lightning burned Mr Fishes Barn

 

Sun. Oct. 14, 1894

Snowing - we were at home all day - it is verry lonesome to day

 

Monday 15

Pleasant as summer - our men at home all day husking corn - Otis traided oxen with Gard Walker - I am buisy indeed

 

Tues. Oct. 16, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram at home all day at work around home - Mason drew wood to Falconer - I am making coockes doeing all kinds of work - Selma came down & Conrad also

 

Wednesday 17

Pleasant - Hiram helping McMillen use the scraper - Mason went to Town - I am at my trade at hous work

 

Thurs. Oct. 18, 1894

Pleasant - I am cleaning house - our men at home all day - Papering & Scraping with the road scraper - Otis traided horses

 

Friday 19

Pleasant - we had thrashers [threshers] & Otis also - I went up to Otises a little while

 

[The "thrashers" were probably a group of farmers who helped each other complete the labor-intensive, time-consuming job of separating grain, such as wheat, from the stalks and husks by beating the plants so the seeds fell out. It's possible the Sealys or another farmer had a threshing machine but the job would still require a group of men.]

 

Drawing of a horse-powered, portable thresher from a French dictionary, published in 1881. (Wikimedia)
 
[The threshing machine was invented around 1789 in Scotland. Initially, threshers were powered by horses and later by steam engines. With a $650 price tag in 1894 ($22,000 in 2022), these machines were expensive.]

Oct. 20, 1894

Pleasant all day - I am cleaning house - Hiram helping Amel paper - Mason went to Falconer with wood - Fredric helping Otis draw corn

 

Sunday 21

Pleasant - we went to hear Sister Perkin preach & went over to Lewises a little while - Otis & Conrad rode out - nice as summer

 

[The Sealys attended the Free Methodist Church of Gerry. It was organized in 1880 and in 1883, "an excellent church building was erected." Hiram (H. N.) Sealy is among those who "contributed largely." See The History of Chautauqua County, New York and Its People, published 1921 (Google Books, p. 190)]

 

Mon. Oct. 22, 1894

Pleasant - we washing - Mason went to Falconer with wood - Hiram around the Barn to work - HN he sold one cow for 30 dollars

 

Tuesday 23

Pleasant - Hiram went to Town to see about his law suit - Mrs Yong & Mrs Vinsent came to see me - had 1 jar of Butter weight 8¾

 

Wed. Oct. 24, 1894

Rained - Hiram at home all day - Mason drew wood to Falconer - I am at home all day - Otis traided a hors for 2 cows

 

Thursday 25

Pleasant - Hiram around home all day - Mason drew wood - Otis & Conrad came down to Masons

 

Fri. Oct. 26, 1894 

Pleasant - Hiram went to Randolph to see about money - Mason drew wood to Falconer - Cathren Sealy born Selmas Baby born

 

[The notation at the top of the page says, “a lock of Catrens hair.” This page is slightly torn probably from a pin holding the hair in place.]

 

Saturday 27

Pleasant - Hiram went to Falconer - Otis went to Town - Sold timmber to Mr Wells - Mason drew wood to Falconers

 

Sun. Oct. 28, 1894

Pleasant - HN & Fredric & Ashley went to meating - I went up to see the new Baby of Selmas & Otises

 

Monday 29

Pleasant - to day we washing - HN & Amel at work on Masons Barn - Mason drew out wood all day - I am washing & bakeing pies & Bread

 

Tues. Oct. 30, 1894

Rained - Hiram up to Masons place fixing fence & scraping the road with the scraper

 

Wednesday 31

Raining - Hiram & Otis went to Town - Mason at home all day - I made cooces & went over to Masons a little while

 

November

 

Thurs. Nov. 1, 1894

Pleant - Hiram off to buy cattle with Ben Munge - Mason around home all day - I am ironing & buisy all day

 

Friday 2

Pleasant - Hiram still off with Munger to buy cows - Mason around home all day - Otis down here in the morning a few minutes

 

Sat. Nov. 3, 1894

Ashley & Margurette with me all day - Fridric went to the village with appels for sell - Cristelle went up to Searses

                                                                              

Sunday 4

Pleasant but cloudy all day - I am at home all day - HN is away to day - I do not know whare with Munder looking for cows

                                                               

Mon. Nov. 5, 1894

Rained a little - I went over to Masons - Hiram is still away - Mason at home all day - Hiram came home - Otis went to Town

 

Tuesday 6

Pleasant - Hiram & Mason went Election & to Town - I am busy all day - Otis went to Election

 

[Women would not be able to vote for 26 more years.This was a mid-term election year; President Grover Cleveland, a Democrat, was in his second term. Democrats lost over 100 seats in the House and four in the Senate.]

 

Wed. Nov. 7, 1894

Pleasant - the men at home all day - drew I went over to Masons a little while

Thursday 8 

Snowing - Hiram had his law Suit - Mason was a wittnes - Cristelle went up to Otises - Selma  Baby 2 weeks old to day - Otis went up to Moons to see Cutter to cut feed

 

Fri. Nov, 9, 1894

Snowing - Hiram & Otis went up to Moon Stasion & to the village to see man that bought our stone house - Mason went to Town bought feed - I made Pies & Bread & over to Masons

 

Kitchen with a Garland stove - ca. 1900-1910. (LOC)
 
Saturday 10

Snowing - Hiram & Fredric went after the sheep & colt upon the Star lot - Mason after the cattle in the swamp - I am doeing my work

 

Sun. Nov. 11, 1894

Snowing - we at home all day except going Otises to see the Bab

 

Monday 12

Snowing a little - Hiram went off with Ben Munger after cows - Mason around home all day - Hiram away yet - Fredric went to School - Otis comensed to draw milk - we toock our milk out to day 

 

Tues. Nov. 13, 1894

Snowing a little - Hiram has came home to night - I went over to Masons - Otis drew our milk for the first - Mason around home all day fixing Barn

 

Wednesday 14

Pleasant - Hiram around home all day - Mason went to Faconer bought us 1 pound of coffee & himself 1 sack of flour & coffee - Otis went to Town bought feed & contracted Turkeys

 

Thurs. Nov. 15, 1894

Pleasant - all day Hiram went to Stockton to see EM Miller - Mason around home all day - Cristelle went over to Mungers with HN - I am around about my work - [collected?] 3 dollars from Sinclairville [man?]

 

Friday 16

Pleasant - Hiram boarding up under the Barn - I am bakeing Bread & Pies - Mason killed a cow - Hiram settled up with Mason - Otis off to buy skunk fur

 

Sat. Nov. 17, 1894

Pleasant - Mason toock a load of Lumber to Jamestown then sold for 6 cts only - Sold 4,25 pounds - Hiram at home all day - I am at my hous work to many sort to mention

 

Sunday 18

Pleasant - we went up to the Prostent church at Gerry - Mason went to Hoopers - Mr Hult up to Otises

Mon. Nov. 19, 1894 

Snowing - Hiram & Mason around home all day - a man here to dinner wanting our men to sell Phosphate for them - Otis drew milk - I am home at work - killed a Beef

 

Tuesday 20

Pleasant but a high wind - the ground covered with snow - Hiram went to Town bought Felt Boots for Mason & Amel & himself & me a new pair of shoes - Mason & Cristelle went over to Harrises he sick

 

Wed. Nov. 21, 1894

Pleasant   Mrs Trasler [?] & Mrs Kilbern came here - Mr Hooper staid here all night - Hiram & Mason caring [carving] Bark at home all day - Otis down borrowed 40 cts

 

Thursday 22

Pleasant - Hiram & myself went down Falconer Store to trade a little - Mason & Cristelle & Ashley went up to Hoopers - bought one tob [tub] of Butter - Otis plowing

 

Fri. Nov. 23, 1894

Pleasant - the men all home all day taring down the old Barn - I am making Pies & at all sorts of busness

 

Saturday 24

Snowing & blowing - we washing - Hiram went to Town the going is verry bad - Mason barcking his house

 

Sun. Nov. 25, 1894

Snowing & blowing - we did not go to church - Lys [?] Vandewark here to day

 

Monday 26

Pleasant - Hiram & Mason & Amel at work around the farm - I am busy - Cristelle & Grace went to Gerry the children over here

                                                                               


Tues. Nov. 27, 1894
 
Snowing - Hiram & Cristelle went to Town - Ashley & Anargurek [?] over here - Mason & Amel over in the woods to work - I am around the house to work 

                                                                               

Wednesday 28

Snowing but no Sleighing yet - Hiram went to Elington with Malory to traid horses - I went over to Masons - Mason & Amel in the woods to work

 

Thurs. Nov. 29, 1894

Thanksgiving to day - Pleasant indeed - Mason & Cristelle went up to Searses - HN & myself & Ashley & Marguerett went up to Otises a little while

 

Friday 30  

Snowing no Sleighing yet - Hiram & Amel to town - Mason & Amel & Fred around home all day - Selmas birth day today

December

Sat. Dec. 1, 1894

Pleasant - the men in the woods drew logs upon the Skid way - Otis went after Skunks - I am at work in the Parlor & made Bread & cake & Pies

 

Sunday 2

Snowing - we were at home all day - Mason went up to see Mr Harris - no Sleighing yet

 

Mon. Dec. 3, 1894

Pleasant - we washing - Brother Cross & wife came here - Hiram went to Town - Otis bought Skunks skins - Mason & Mr Ellis skiddg logs

 

Tuesday 4

Pleasant - Hiram & Mason & Brother Cross in the woods - Sister Cross & myself went over to Masons a little while

 

 

Wed. Dec. 5, 1894

Pleasant as Summer - Brother Cross & wife went home - Hiram & Mason in the woods to work - I am around the house to work

 

Thursday 6

Pleasant - the men building a Depot - HN helping to build it - Mason & Amel and Fred Skiddind [Skidding] logs - I am cleaning my dinning room

 

*       *       *

 

[Hiram helped build a depot on December 6-8 and 11. There was a depot in Ross Mills in 1881 but perhaps it was destroyed in the Ross Mills fire. See February 23 map and March 17 entry.]



"ON THIS SITE the first train came through Ross Mills in 1871 and ran for just over 100 years." 

(Photo taken in 2019 by Jody Bradish.)

 

 *       *       *


Fri. Dec. 7, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram at work upon the Depot - Mason in the woods & Fred & Amel also - I am doing my house work

 

Saturday 8

Pleasant - Hiram helping build the Depo - Mason in the woods skidding logs - Otis drew milk to Town

 

Sun. Dec. 9, 1894

Snowing a little - no sleighing yet - we at home all day to day - Mason & his family here to dinner - Otis qite at home

 

Monday 10

Rained - Hiram & Cristelle went to Town traded a little & went over to Masons - Mason working in the woods - Otis went to Town - Ashley & Marguerette over here - we bought box of soap

 

Tues. Dec. 11, 1894

Pleasant - high winds indeed - Hiram at work upon the Depot - we washing - I went over to Masons - Mason & Amel in the woods to work

 

Wednesday 12

Snowing a little - no sleighing yet - Amel got lost in the woods - Hiram went to Gerry - I went up to Otises a little while - Fred at school

Thurs. Dec. 13, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram went to Town - Mason & Amel in the woods - Frank Honqist settled with HN & I am buisy all day

 

Friday 14

Pleasant as Summer to day - Hiram & Fredric went to Levant to get feed & Groceries

 

Sat. Dec. 15, 1894

Pleasant - HN & myself went up to Hoopers after our Butter - Mason toock appels to Levant toock a Lamb

 

Sunday 16

Pleasant - Hiram went to church & Fred also - I am at home all day

 

Mon. Dec. 17, 1894

Pleasant - we washing - Hiram went to Town with Samuelson to see about deed for Charley Newton farm - Mason & Amel at work in the woods

 

Tuesday 18

Pleasant - HN sold an old cow to Samuelson & went up to Honqists - Mason in the woods to work - Fredric went over to Mungers after ashes

 

Wed. Dec. 19, 1894

Pleasant as summer to day - Hiram & Holmqist & myself went to Town to make out the deed for the Newton farm - Mason & Amel in the woods to work

 

Thursday 20

Pleasant - Hiram went to Town to day finished up the buisnes for the farm - I mad Bread & coockies & Pies also & went over to Masons a little while

                                                                              

Fri. Dec. 21, 1894

Pleasant all day - Hiram working on the depot - Mason & Amel at work in the woods - Fredric went to School - I am at work at my trade house work

                                                                               

Saturday 22

Pleasant - Lewis & Betsy here a little while - Hiram making crout [kraut?] - Mason went to Town - Otis down a minute to Borrow a little money to buy Skunks Skins - I am qite busy all day

 

Sun. Dec. 23, 1894

Pleasant as Summer to day - we went to Gerry to Church - all qite well indeed

 

Monday 24

Pleasant - no Sleighing yet  we are getting ready for Cristmas - Mason & Cristelle went to David Harris funeral - Hiram around home all day

 

 

Tues. Dec. 25, 1894

Cristmas Pleasant - we had a Christmas dinner over at Masons thare as qite a few thare - Hiram had a nice Preasent an Over Coat - I had no preasent - Otis & Selma at home

 

Wednesday 26

Snowing - Hiram & the Boys fixing the Barn for winter - qite warm now - Mason went to Faconer to get the harness - running Critters for the first tim this winter

 

Thurs. Dec. 27, 1894

Snowing - HN fixing the Barn - Mason drew wood to Falconer - I am busy around the house

 

Friday 28

Snowing - the men all fixing roads to the woods - all qite well - Cristelle came over a little while & the children also

 

 

Sat. Dec. 29, 1894

Pleasant - Hiram went over to Cases to see about money & Settled with Jack Lonx [probably Lennox] - I went over to Masons - Marguerette was 3 years old to day

 

Sunday 30

Snowing - Hiram fell in the Barn hurt him verry bad but we are thankful to the Lord it did not kill him - the Lord has not got through with him yet

 

Mon. Dec. 31, 1894

Snowing - Hiram in the house sick from the fall in Barn - Mason went to Town to day - Fred drew wood to Jim Clark - I am buisy all day

 

Notes for 1895

 

January the 1 1895   

Hiram & myself at home all day - Mason & Cristelle went over to Mungers to New years dinner - Selma out to Town & the children also - Otis at home all day

  

[Ellen used sections at the end of the diary for additional entries and notes.]


Memoranda

 

Jan the 2

Hiram still in the house sick with his Back from the fall in the Barn - Mason drew a load of wood to Clark - I am arong [around] the house - the Lord be praised for his goodness to us

Friday the 3d

Hiram at home all day Mason at home also - Fred drew wood to J Clark - Selma & Mrs Hult & all of the children came here [Otis Conrad, age 3½, Gertrude, 2, Kathryn, 2 months]


 Bought 

1 pound coffee   

                                                     2 qarts molasses                                                          5 gallons oil   

                                                    2 pounds crackers

 

Memoranda

 

Saturday 6th

 Pleasant    

Mason & Fred drew wood - Hiram around home all day - I am Bakeing & cleaning house

 

Sunday 6th

Otis & Selma came down - we all at home all day

 

Monday 7th

Pleasant   

we washing - Brother McGeary & Lewis & Josept Trusler came down to see Hiram - Hiram went up to Gerry & up to Fred Barmore

 



Memoranda

 

Tuesday 8th

Hiram went to Town - Mason & Amel drew hay - Fred went to school - I am busy all day long - Sold 4½ doz Eggs

 

Wednesday the 9th 

Selma & Gertrude the Baby came down - Otis in the woods - Hiram went to Levant - Mason & Ame & Fred killed the hogs - Ashley & Marguerette came over here

 

Thursday the 10

Raining all day - the men around home all day

                                                                 

Friday 11

Hiram & Mason went to Town with hog & chickens - bought Fred a new cap - Mason paid his interest - Otis in the woods

                                                                               

Wages

 

Saturday the 12th

Hiram went up Gerry - hired money $80 dollars of the dutchman - Mr Martins people & Mrs to Masons

                                                            

Cash Account – March

Corry Newton

1,300

Corry Newton

 

L Peck

1,00

 

Chaut Co Bank

1,40

 

First National

2,40

Cash Account - October

Dec 16th Sold milk

  7 qarts milk  

  7 qarts milk                                                               

  9 qarts = =

10 qarts = =

11 qarts = =

10 qarts = =

11 qarts = =

10 qarts = = 

Cash Account - November

Church days

 

                                    Easter Sunday            April 2

                                    Low ------------------------9

                                    Rogation                    May 7

                                    Asention           Thursday 11

                                    White Sunday pentecost  12

                                    Trinety--------------------28

                                    Corpus Cristi             June 1

                                    Advent Sunday           Dec 3
 
 

Cash Account - December

 [This is most likely the train schedule for the depot Hiram helped build.]

Morning Express going down due at Ross Mills ½ past 8

Morning Express going up due at Ross Mills 15 min to 10

 

Evening Express going up due at Ross 15 min to 5


Night Express going down due at Ross Mills 10 min to 5

 

 

 Cash Account - December

    

90 Stitches 

on the ancle of 

                                                        Fredrickes sock

 

 

 

− End of Ellen Elizabeth Barmore Sealy’s 1894 Diary –

 

*       *       *

Bradish-Scott Family History - November/December 2022





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