Saturday, April 30, 1864

I am almost sick to-day, having done too much yesterday, giving my room its spring cleaning.  To-day Lucy has very kindly repapered it, and I am very thankful to her & to William who bought the paper, for the great improvement in the appearance of my quarters.

Friday, April 29, 1864

Mrs. Cutler spent the day at her mothers.  Nancy white washed the kitchen & I whitewashed the top of my room.  Lucy came on the evening train.

Thursday, April 28, 1864

Maggie Voris was here to dinner.  Mr. Burgess here in the afternoon.  He is very much excited about the Statue of Liberty which has been placed over the Capitol at Washington.  He calls it “an Idol” “a molten image” set up for men to worship.  He says he has written to President Lincoln and to many of his own friends on the subject.  He says that we shall have no victory & no peace until Dagon falls and he rather hopes the rebels may take & burn Washington so that the idol may be destroyed.  He kept me nearly an hour after I should have been in Prayer meeting, trying to make me understand that I was part owner of the “goddess” and therefore guilty of idolatry.  I told him God knew my heart, I had no vote, had not been consulted nor had I been consenting to it, & therefore declined all responsibility.  That “this idol” might be his but it was not mine & then advised him to go on to Washington & attend to it.  He talks like a crazy man.

Mrs. M^cClure & Emeline were here to prayer meeting.

Peggy's comments:

Here is a photograph of the “Statue of Freedom” on the Capitol, erected in December 1863.  And another showing a close-up of the statue.

The Old Stone House was where Julia Cutler lived along with her brother William Cutler, William’s wife Lizzie, and their only surviving child, Sarah.  Mr. And Mrs. Burgess lived a short walk away with Lizzie's sister, Maggie Voris.  Mrs. Burgess was the mother of Lizzie Cutler and Mr. Burgess was Lizzie’s step-father.  In 1864 he was 80 years old and it seems that he had not mellowed with age.  He had always been very earnest, against slavery, an advocate of total abstinence from intoxicating liquors, opposed to the use of tobacco and  opposed to secret societies.   His vision seemed to be failing and he frequently visited the Cutlers, asking Julia to read aloud newspapers.  Rev. Burgess’s tirade about the newly erected Statue of Freedom seems to have been too much for the usually calm Julia.

Wednesday, April 27, 1864

John Means of Marietta was here to dinner.  Toward eveing Mrs. Cutler and I went in the buggy and called on Mrs. W. D. M^cClure, the Waldrens, refugees from Virginia, Widow Scott, & Mrs. A. S. Bailey and Miss Ainsworth.  Cool  evening.  It is very pleasant and a great relief to have Nancy here again.

Tuesday, April 26, 1864

I looked over the Genealogical Registers for 1858-9 & 60.  Headache.

Nancy Carlin, who has been at home since Feb. 20” taking care of her brother James, came on the cars this evening, her brother is so much better that she hopes to be able to stay now.

Monday, April 25, 1864

Mrs. Cutler & Sarah went to Marietta with William.  Mrs. Cutler had Miss Brigham cut her bombazine dress.  She brought wall paper for the entry, sitting room, old kitchen and for my room.  Now with a little plastering and white washing we shall be quite comfortable.

I wrote to Kate; and to Clara enclosing 25 dollars sent by William.

The Independent Co.s of militia are ordered out into service for an hundred days from the first of May.  This will very seriously interfere with the business of the country, particularly with the farming -- owing to the unfavorable season, but little ploughing is done, and all the force will be needed to get crops in, as early as is desirable.  But our country first -- let private interests be forgotten.  The rebels have mustered a mighty army conscripting all from sixteen to sixty years old and boast of the great things they are about to accomplish.  We may well adopt King Asa’s prayer where he cried unto the Lord his God, and said, “Lord, it is nothing with thee to help whether with many or with them that have no power:  help us O Lord our God; for we rest on thee, and in thy name we go against this multitude.  O Lord thou are our God let not man prevail against thee.”

Mrs. Terril washed.  A hard shower toward night.

Sabbath, April 24, 1864

Went to Sabbath school & to meeting.  Mr. Curtis has gone to Pomeroy to Presbytery.  William read a sermon.  A hard rain toward night.  Barbara who had been over on Hocking came home very wet.  Old Mr. Timothy Cone died in Marietta to-day--he has been entirely blind for several years.

Saturday, April 23, 1864

Busy all day, very warm, for the season, and baking for the sabbath made it necessary for me to stay in the kitchen which gave me a bad headache.  I went to bed very tired.

Friday, April 22, 1864

I planted out gladiolas, verbenas, &c.   Worked all day in the garden.  John has been digging up the beds in Kate’s garden & they look very nice.  Our hyacinths are very beautiful this year, the prettiest I ever saw.  The jonquils are also fine.  The garden begins to look bright with blossoms.  

Firing cannon at Parkersburg.  Sigel’s troops passing through.  Maggie was here to tea.  I received a letter from Mr. Walton, their dear little Eddie died last Monday April 18^th.

Peggy’s notes:

“Dear little Eddie” was Julia’s nephew.  He was eight years old.

Thursday, April 21, 1864

The female prayer meeting met here.  Mrs. W. D. Bailey, Mrs. Fanny Bailey, Mrs. M^cClure, Mrs. Burgess, Miss Emeline M^cClure were here -- altho our meetings are not numerously attended, they are good.

Wednesday, April 20, 1864

It is curious to see how some songs seize the popular fancy.  “The battle cry of Freedom” is one of this sort, it is not only sung by the soldier on the March and in the bivouac and by the ladies at the piano, but by the mechanic, the farmer, & the boatmen and the little boys as they drive the cows to pasture sing “We’ll rally round the flag boys, We’ll rally once again, Shouting the battle cry of Freedom” &c, &c. And the kitchen girl as she washes her dishes takes up the refrain -- and even little Sarah is humming “Down with the traitor, & up with the Stars.”

I have been rearranging the plants in the two pits, and am very tired.

Tuesday, April 19, 1864

We rose early to get Kate started.  She went on the Eagle, her luggage consisted of four boxes, three barrels, a carpet sack, rocking chair and traveling bag to which two more boxes were added at Marietta. Mrs. Cutler, Maggie, and little Sarah went on the boat with her as far as Marietta.  The day has been pleasant and I hope Kate will get safely home without any disaster.  Barbara, who went home last night, did not get back until all the work was done up.  Mrs. Terril washed.  She has just parted with her son John Wesley Hufford who has started to join his regiment, the 36^th O.V.I.  I gave Mrs. George Roberts a great quantity of flower roots also Mrs. Terril flowers & strawberries.  Old Mrs. Butler a colored woman, on her way to visit her children in the Northern part of the state came and spent the day.

William returned from Athens where he has been on business connected with a coal project & a Mineral Railroad.  Lizzie & Sarah returned from Marietta.  Mrs. Cutler delighted her with her steamboat ride, the first she remembered to have taken.  She told her Papa she thought it much nicer than Railroad riding.

Monday, April 18, 1864

George & Nancy left on the cars this morning, also William going to Athens.  George nailed up Kate’s boxes before he went.

Mr. & Mrs. Burgess spent the after noon and took tea.  Mrs. Joel Deming, Mrs. Hart and Emeline M^cClure called to see Kate.  Lucy came down to spend the night & see Kate off.

Sabbath, April 17, 1864

Mr. Curtis preached.  The congregation larger than usual.  Mr. Spencer from Virginia was there, he says he wishes to attend church here.  There was also a family of Waldrons at meeting, they are living in the house vacated by old Mr. Scott.  They are refugees from Virginia.  Driven out of the Confederacy on account of their union sentiments.  They appear to be well off, well bred people. 

Saturday, April 16, 1864

Mrs. W. D. Bailey invited us with Kate & Lucy to dine at her house today.  We met there Mrs. Greenwood, Miss Betsey Bailey, Mrs. Stapleton, Mrs. G. W. Bailey, Mrs. A. S. Bailey and Emeline M^cClure.  A very pleasant visit.  Nancy Carlin came on the evening train, also George Cutter.  Lucy went home to-night.

Friday, April 15, 1864

Maggie came and took dinner.  Kate has been busy packing her things.  She has a good deal of clothing to take and her bed & bedding, towels, books, &c.  She will also have a box of plants.  Mrs. Dawes went home this morning & Lucy came down this evening.

Thursday, April 14 1864

Kate, Mrs. Dawes, and Mrs. Cutler dined at Mr. Burgess’s.  Kate and little Sarah remained there to spend the night.  Mrs. Dawes & Mrs. Cutler came home to attend prayer meeting.  Mrs. M^cClure and Emeline, Mrs. Joel Deming, Mrs. B. C. Bailey & Mrs. W. D. Bailey were here.

Wednesday, April 13 1864

Kate has been busy all day making over & lining her brown barege dress.  Mrs. Dawes came down on the cars this evening.  Maggie was here to dinner.

Tuesday, April 12, 1864

Kate came with William on the morning train, having made her visit at her mother’s before coming here.  We were very glad to see her & she seemed pleased to be at home again.  Mrs. W. D. Bailey, Mr. & Mrs. Burgess & Maggie called to see her.  Also A. S. Bailey.

Monday, April 11, 1864

We looked for Kate on the morning train but she did not come.  Sarah cried because of the disappointment.  William went to Marietta and will spend the night, as he has to meet some gentlemen from Athens.  Maggie came on evening train.  She has been at Ripley & Athens.

Sabbath, April 10" 1864

Mr. Curtis preached.  Mrs. Hart told me Kate arrived at her mother’s last night.  She came on the steamer Express with Mr. Hart yesterday.

Saturday, April 9th, 1864

I made bread, pies, and cookies &c for the Sabbath.  Barbara came back about ten A. M. But went home again in the afternoon to stay until Monday.  William came home from Cincinnati.  He did not meet Maggie there.

Friday, April 8" 1864

Barbara went home to see her brother who is going to Tennessee to work on the RailRoads.

Thursday, April 7th, 1864

Seventy six years ago today Gen. Rufus Putnum and his associates (among whom was Uncle Jervis Cutler) landed at the mouth of the Muskingum and commenced the first permanent white settlement in Ohio.  

A pleasant spring like day.  I weeded the tulip border.  

Heard that Gen. Sigel had telegraphed to George M. Woodbridge for 100 farm horse teams & wagons, for transportation.  Imboden, the rebel General, is threatening Sigel with a large cavalry force which is said to be advancing on Clarksburg, West Va.

Female Prayer meeting here.  Mrs. M^cClure, Emiline, Mrs. W. D. Bailey and Mrs Burgess here.

Wednesday, April 6” 1864

I worked in the garden in the forenoon & ironed some in the afternoon.  The sun shone pleasantly & Mrs. Cutler rode up to see Lizzie Poage who is better.

Mr. & Mrs. Dickey were here today to get young catalpa trees.  I gave them roses, flowering almonds, shrubs, etc.  As John was riding “Betty” up the road today, a man stopped him and proposed to impress Betty for Government use in West Virginia.  John told him he was going for the doctor for his wife, and could not wait to talk with him.  The man asked where he lived.  He said “down in Belpre” & rode on as fast as he could without waiting to give his name as requested.  He heard afterward that Bill Scott’s team had been taken, also a span from Col. T. W. Moore.

Tuesday, April 5” 1864

The rain has ceased.  Mrs. Terril came & washed.  William started to Cincinnati this morning.  Little Sarah is very hoarse, and is quite unwell.  I went up to call on Mrs. Burgess.  Lizzie Poage is sick.

Lucy came down on the night train and brought Lizzie and me dress-goods from Bosworth Wells’.

Monday, April 4th, 1864

The rain has fallen all day, not very warm, but enough so to start the grass which begins to look green.

Sabbath, April 3d 1864

I went to Sabbath School.  Little Sarah has taken a severe cold & could not go out.  Lizzie staid at home with her.  Rev. Thomas Wickes of Marietta preached.  His sermon dwelt on the Christ second coming to the Earth, in glory & great power to establish his kingdom & put his enemies under his feet.  Mr. Wickes has for several years held the doctrine that Christ will personally return & reign upon the Earth -- “Even so Lord Jesus!  Come quickly.”

Mr. Wickes came and took tea at our house.

Saturday, April 2d 1864

Mrs. Cutler went up to her mothers -- William has been at home this week for a wonder --  George Cutter came and spent the Sabbath.

Friday, April 1st, 1864

I spent the morning in the garden cutting down winter killed roses &c. This afternoon there is a drizzling rain.  W. D. M^cClure & his family have moved into the house near the Meeting House.