Tuesday, March 31, 2015

Friday March 31. 1865

Rainey morning but pleasant in the afternoon.  Kate & Lucy went to town on the P. M. train.  This is Nancy Carlins birthday I gave her a silver butter knife —
Maggie Voris here & took Sarah & Annie McLean up to the meeting-house —

Monday, March 30, 2015

Thursday March 30. 1865

Emeline went away after breakfast.  Lucy Dawes came on the accommodation train.  Very hard rain in the afternoon.  Hattie Bailey got very wet coming from the train the wind blew her hat off — We were all invited to W. D. Baileys to tea — and between showers Kate, Lucy, Anna McLean, Sarah & Hattie Bailey & I went up —  Mrs Bailey had a very nice supper, four kinds of cake.  She had invited several to meet Kate but the rain kept them away — We had a very pleasant visit —

Sunday, March 29, 2015

Wednesday March 29 1865

We had company from town invited to dinner, the train was late nearly twelve before they got here.  Mrs. Giles from Harmar, Mrs. Graves, Mrs Stone and her two little girls & Mrs. S. C. Dawes from Marietta, Mrs. Burgess and Mrs W. D. Bailey & Mrs McClure & Emeline were here — We had roasted chickens, mashed potatoes, turnips, beans, Applesauce, jelly, pickles, cherry pie & custard pie & canned strawberries &c — for dinner.  A pleasant time —  Emeline spent the night here.

Saturday, March 28, 2015

Tuesday March 28. 1865

Kate, Miss Anna McLean, Mrs Cutler Sarah & I went to Mrs. Burgess’s to dinner.

Friday, March 27, 2015

Monday March 27 1865

Kate and Mr. McLean’s daughter Anna came on the 11 o’clock train —  Little Sarah has been so anxious to see Kate that she counted the hours till her arrival —  This afternoon Mr. Burgess, Mrs W. D. Bailey & Maggie called.

Peggy's note:
Kate Dawes McLean is Julia's niece and the daughter of Sarah Cutler Dawes.  She had lived at the Old Stone House with the Cutler family for many years but married Rev. Samuel McLean in February, 1864 and moved to West Alexander, Pennsylvania.  He was a widower with several children.  It seems that Kate spent much of her time caring for her husband and his children who were often ill.

Thursday, March 26, 2015

Sabbath March. 26. 1865

Martha went to sabbath school with Sarah, I was not able to go — am suffering with rheumatism in my left shoulder, arm, and side, it has troubled me several weeks, but is more painful than usual lately, keeping me awake at night —
William has arranged to have a car come up every sabbath after noon to accommodate the railroad people who are too far from the Belpre Church to go there, or can more conveniently come here under this arrangement.  It is also a great convenience to Mr. Curtis now that the bridges are gone — Some ten or a dozen come with him.

Nancy came back this evening.

Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Saturday March 25. 1865

William went to town to-day. twice.  He says that Kate and Anna McLean came to Marietta last night.  They will be here Monday.  Little Sarah can scarcely wait.  Nancy went home to spend the Sabbath —

Monday, March 23, 2015

Thursday March 23. 1865

Mr. & Mrs. Burgess spent the day here there was rain toward night.  Lucy came on the 11 o’clock train and will stay till morning.

Sunday, March 22, 2015

Wednesday March. 22 1865

A very windy day — Mrs Cutler & Sarah spent the after noon at Mrs Burgess’s — Mr David Irwin was here this after noon and will spend the night here —  He returns soon to California.

Saturday, March 21, 2015

Tuesday March 21 1865

Mrs. Cutler expected Mrs Dawes, Mrs Giles, Mrs Stone & Mrs Graves here to dinner today and also her mother — The rain and high water have prevented them from coming — I wrote to Kate —

Friday, March 20, 2015

Monday March 20 1865

The river did not rise many inches during the night.  The water spread over the western corner of the garden and ran along the paths and came through the barnyard into the door yard — but came to a stand this morning  and has fallen but very little all day.  Still it is really receding — leisurely —
William started to Cincinnati on Rail-Road business — We are very thankful to escape with only the removal of some fence.  This rise is said to come principally from the Alleghenny — Disastrous floods are reported in Pennsylvania New York and East-ward —
A large old sycamore which has stood beneath the bank from time immemorial, this morning is gone a subject of regret to all the household — It was a great [unreadable] place for birds of every kind — I have often seen the Bald eagles perched on its lightning scathed limbs — but the flood has swept it away —         

Thursday, March 19, 2015

Sabbath March 19. 1865.

This morning the river rises three inches an hour which is too fast for this stage of water.  and we dread a visit from the Ohio in our house.  A great deal of drift passing, also bridges, boats, hay, fodder &c — about noon the water was in the west corner of the garden.  In the after noon the whole river smelt so strongly of petroleum that the scent filled the house and on going to the bank the oil was plainly seen spread over the surface.  Some of the neighbors have caught barrels of oil drifting down.  We have heard of the “Pumpkin flood” & the “Ice flood” & now we have the oil flood — The same peculiar smell was noticed on the back water, we shall have a top dressing of oil on our fields.
Our folks went to meeting, Mr Curtis came up on a hand-car but did not have more than a dozen or fifteen hearers.
Toward sundown the water rose only two inches an hour and at bed time an inch & a half.  So we hope it will soon come to a stand —

Mr Burgess came and invited our guests to spend the night at his house as they wish to go on the train and it is thought the road near Mr Burgess which is the highest point in the swampy tract will be submerged before morning.

Wednesday, March 18, 2015

Saturday March 18 1865

William went to town but came home to dinner  James Walton with him, both went back to town on the three o’clock train.  William came back from the station to tell me that the back water was just beginning to run over the turnpike bridge and appeared to be rising fast.  he told me to set a mark and if it rose more than four inches an hour to tell John to remove the stock to hill, and if it kept on rising rapidly to clear the cellar.  The next hour it rose four and a half inches — John accordingly took the hogs & cattle that were on the bottom to the hill — the water rose regularly four inches an hour till bedtime — Mis Cheny & James Carlin came on the afternoon train to spend the sabbath.  They went to Belpre yesterday — Martha Colville came home from W. D. Baileys to-night.   —  We have not cleared the cellar but may have to do so yet —

Tuesday, March 17, 2015

Friday March 17, 1865

My arm is very sore, very much swollen and painful.  Nancy’s cousin Maggie Cheny & James Carlin were here this forenoon -- The river is rising to-day.

Monday, March 16, 2015

Thursday March. 16, 1865

There has more rain fallen this forenoon than often happens here.  The swamp looks like a small river and the fields have large ponds of water and the water is pouring down the gullies on the hill-side in torrents.  William went to-day with Mr. Waddle the chief engineer to walk over the track this side of Athens.  At Vincents Station they heard that a freight train had broken a wheel and demolished a small tresstle the other side of Federal Creek.  The train was bound West.  William & Mr. Waddle got on to an engine and went to the scene of the disaster where they found four cars with their freight of soda, sugar, hard ware, &c., &c. smashed up and jambed into a gully.  They went to work getting out freight, & loading other cars working in the rain & mud.  William came home late, his panteloons mud to the knee, and his coat in not much better plight.  Nancy staid all night at Mr. Burgess’s.

Sunday, March 15, 2015

Wednesday March 15” 1865

A warm spring-like day.  Mrs. Cutler came home and brought me a black & white balmoral [skirt] very pretty.  Mrs. Dawes went home on the after noon train.  She will come again to finish our letter to Mr. Morse on Genealogy -- Have sent him Mr. Wilkes’ Semi-Centennial discourse to the Congregational Church of Marietta.  Father’s funeral Sermon by Prof. E. B. Andrews -- Williams speech in Congress on Slavery, April 23, 1862.  Louisa Maria Fulton’s funeral sermon by Mr. Merwin & a slip from the Intelligencer published at the time of Fathers death --
William came home bringing with him Major Dawes and Mr. Wilcox who will spend the night -- Ephe says he will send Mr. Morse a draft for 100 dollars to assist him in his work.

Saturday, March 14, 2015

Tuesday March. 14. 1865

About 2 o’clock last night was roused by the door bell opened the window & asked “who is there?” was answered “Wilcox” went down and let him in -- The train had been detained by getting off the track, and he had lost his hat --
Mr. Thomas Wilcox went to town to see the boys about oil territory.  Mrs Cutler has also gone to have the dentist plug her teeth --  Mrs Dawes & I have been very busy all day over the Old letters & Manuscripts of the Parker & Warner families extending over a period of ninety years --       Mr. Wilcox here to spend the night.  Received a letter from M. A. Carter and sister Nancy’s photograph.

Friday, March 13, 2015

Monday, March. 13. 1865

My arm is getting sore from vaccination --  Mrs. S. C. Dawes came down and will stay a day or two --  We are going to prepare an answer to Mr. Morses letter of March 6.

Thursday, March 12, 2015

Wednesday, March 11, 2015

Saturday March 11. 1865

The Boursalt rose by my window is a mass of Icicles this morning, and the ground is yet white with snow.  William, Mrs Cutler, Sarah & Lucy came on the Accommodation train.  Lucy brought a letter from Rev. Abner Morse dated March 6” -- about the Cutler Genealogy  -- She returned home this afternoon --  I called to see Ella Bailey who is sick --

Tuesday, March 10, 2015

Friday March 10. 1865

This morning the ground is covered with two or three inches of snow.  Mrs. Cutler & Sarah have gone to town, they rode to the Station in the carriage.  Maggie went with them -- William came about two o’clock, he has been since yesterday at Vincents arranging to have the trestle repaired -- he walked down from Scott’s Landing took a late dinner and went to Marietta on the three o’clock train.
I have begun to-day to write out the Family history as far as I can, for the benefit of the younger members especially little Sarah.  I think it will do them good to know the truth, of which there is nothing to be ashamed.

Monday, March 9, 2015

Thursday March 9, 1865

William started to Chillicothe today.  We learn from B. C. Bailey who came in on the train last night a trestle this side of Vincents has been so much injured by the heavy rains and frost that it is no longer passable.  A freight train behind the passenger train had four cars thrown down and smashed up.  They were loaded with whiskey, bacon, and hard crackers --  Mrs. Hall sent her colored man for shrub and flower roots -- gave him a large basket-full -- Then came two boys named Lukins from Barlow -- they wanted “fruit” but after being supplied with roots of the rasperberry, gooseberry, quince & cherry trees  they did not disdain some roses & tulips--
Col. Dawes and his lady came down on accommodation and took dinner.  The Colonel is an invalid just now but not seriously sick.  He has begun to build his house, has men at work on the foundation.

Sunday, March 8, 2015

Wednesday, March 8 1865

After Sarah and Lucy Bailey had recited their lessons, Mrs. Cutler took Sarah in the carriage to spend the day at her grand-mothers -- I read the Daily Gazette to Mr. Burgess as usual.  Put the house in order, watered my plants, wrote a little, worked four hours in the garden.  Gave Alice Scott a variety of flower roots and shrubs.  Mrs. Ann Briggs Reppert called.  Rained in the evening.  William has spent yesterday and today with the County Commissioners on Railroad affairs -- one of them J. J. Hollister, was disposed to do right but the other two were stubborn and unreasonable, at last one of them gave in -- but the third a Mr. Thomas was of the same opinion still, however the majority carried the question.
Linly Wilcox came to-night to take the cattle out to the Old Farm.  John Kunz brought me a note from Lucy.  The curtains have come safely.  I was vaccinnated.

Saturday, March 7, 2015

Tuesday March 7” 1865

Martha Colville went to Mrs. W. D. Baileys this morning and expects to spend the week there.  I finished writing a letter to Jennie Shedd which I began nearly two weeks ago, Mrs. Cutler has also written to send in the same envelope.  I felt thankful to get it started to the Post Office this evening.

Friday, March 6, 2015

Monday March 6” 1865

There is quite a river between the house & the Railroad Station the water is over the top of the fence at the turnpike bridge.  William and James P. Walton had to go nearly up to Mr. Burgess to get to the Railroad Station but the river came to a stand about noon and we are happy to believe that the danger of a flood is past -- I called to see Mrs. W. D. Bailey, who is not well & Charlie is sick.

Thursday, March 5, 2015

Sabbath March 5” 1865

I went to Sabbath School.  Not many out to meeting.  Sacrament was administered and G. W. Baileys youngest child, “Minnie Maud” was baptized.  Mr. Curtis came up on a hand car from Belpre, on account of high water the bridge at the Meeting house under water this evening.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015

Saturday March 4” 1865

William got home this morning between 3 and 4 o’clock     the train being delayed by the engine of a construction train (the Wm P. Cutler) being off the track the other side of Vincents -- The women of Athens who obstructed the railroad have agreed to let the track alone for the present, and General Hooker has recalled the soldiers who were sent to guard the Railroad --  William went to Marietta today but came home on the Accommodation and went to meeting expecting preparatory lectures but Mr. Curtis was not there and so we had a prayer meeting.  The river is rising quite rapidly -- it rained hard all last night, and the bridges below here are under water --
To-day Abraham Lincoln is for the second time inaugurated President of these United States -- and under much happier auspices than four years ago.  The rebellion has we trust nearly run its course.  All things look favorable for the course of freedom & humanity.

In many places the inauguration hour is to be spent in the churches where prayer will be offered in behalf of the President, the Government & the cause.  May God hear & & bless our Country.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Friday March 3” 1865

Mrs. Cutler spent the day at Mrs. Burgess’s.  Mrs. Dawes came on the evening train also J. P. Walton      Lucy got home last night with a nice Brussels carpet, but a package containing curtains is missing.

Monday, March 2, 2015

Thursday March 2” 1865

Heard Sarah & Lucy say double lessons as Sarah is going to stay at her Grand Mother’s until Saturday night.  She has a little scheme for surprising her mother.  She is going with Maggie’s help to embroider a pair of slippers as a present for her mother.  -- Nancy took her up to Mr. Burgess’s.

Sunday, March 1, 2015

Wednesday March 1”. 1865

Nancy’ s arm is sore from vaccination and she could not wash.  We sent to Mrs Terril    came and washed to day -- The weather is delightful           mrs. Cutler returned from Marietta -- She had five teeth extracted and feels exhausted, but free from pain.