January 1 The old year silently slipped away; “New Year” came through the open door; Oh, heavenly Father give me grace to live more Christlike than before. Was with the family for chicken dinner. Mabel Douglas (family friend from Sackets) and Lois Reynolds (Lois, future grand-daughter-in-law) were there.

January 2 Rolla (grandson) home with cold. Rest as usual.

January 3 Wrote to Rosamond.. Phoned to Mabel; Alvin, George & family (Hasners) came to see Doris.

January 4 Rolla bought a dark green Oldsmobile car.

January 5 William put the furnace register in my part of the house. Gladys (surname - Campbell, taught science at Miss Porter’s School in MA) phoned before returning to Farmington.

January 6 A quite day. Family at home.

January 7 All busy about as usual.

January 8 Alvin helped put up the furnace pipes. Shared in chicken dinner. Shirley played at Sackets. Phoned to Mabel (friend - surname, Fulton) . Wm. cleaned my oil burners and it works find now. Cold day.

January 9 (entry probably omitted from original transcript by error).

January 10 Wm. and Alvin have new furnace running.

January 11 30,000 soldiers are now coming to Camp Drum for winter training. No peace terms are yet agreed on in Korea.

January 12 The furnace gives plenty of heat. Shirley cleaned my living room with a vacuum cleaner. Gladys phoned when she reached Farmington.

January 13 Gene, Elaine and Carol (granddaughter’s family) came last night. They went to Pond’s (granddaughter’s in-laws) for dinner. Beryl, Lou, Harold (Buckminster - Doris’s sister and family) came P. M. and Lois’ parents (the Reynolds’s from Plessis) came to Wm’s in the evening.

January 14 Alvin came to help finish furnace pipes. Wrote to Sally Hynes (diarist’s niece) and Hazel (Ball, cousin’s daughter) and family.

January 15 The new furnace is working well. Snow about gone.

January 16 Nina Waters sent me a picture she took of the interior of our church.

January 17 Heard Winston Churchill address Congress.

January 18 Thunder storm last night about 12. Wm. is fixing cold air registers. Windy. Joan has a new cornet, cost $129.00.

January 19 Mabel and Hi (Fulton) came about 4 P. M. Wm. & Doris went to Mabel Johnson’s (Mabel Dodge Johnson - Pillar Point) in the evening. Snow came in the evening but changed to rain. Girls had tea and toast over here in the evening.

January 20 A quiet day. All pretty well.

January 21 Mrs. Beach phoned to me to listen (to her husband’s sermon on radio). Wm. took down my living room stove and thinks I need new rug.

January 22 Hazel, Dorcas, and Marion (cousin’s daughters) sent 8 cans of vegetables, an apron and chocolates. Mabel sent me a calendar. Wm. and Doris selected a linoleum pattern 12 x 15.

January 23 Rev. & Mrs. Beach have a baby granddaughter, Barbara Lynn Warren.

January 24 Shirley played in school band at town hall.

January 25 1,000 paratroopers made parachute jumps at Camp Drum. Some injuries, one broken leg. Their jumps continue next week. 41 were injured.

January 26 My linoleum came this P. M. Rec’d a nice letter from Helen Muldoon (of Wallace family - cousin‘s daughter) .

January 27 Mabel phoned. She went to church. Wm., Doris, Shirley & Joan went to Ida May’s (Horton) and to Ruth Farmer’s.

January 28 Not much special doing. Too cold. Thankful to do my little housework.

January 29 Wm. and Doris put down my linoleum.

January 30 Grace and Walter Patrick (friends from town of Hounsfield) here & at Doris’. Snowing. P. M. 2,000 paratroopers jumped at Camp Drum. One fatal accident.

January 31 Joan had two back teeth drawn.

February 1 Doris, Joan finished arranging my room. Dear Bert left us 15 yrs. ago this day and I am still here. Rec’d a nice card with letter from Ruth Merriam (friend from Brownville church).

February 2 Wm. bought a bushel of macintosh apples and gave some to me. Elaine phoned from Grace Lenz (Elaine’s sister-in-law) about 8 P. M.

February 3 Elaine, Gene and Carol went to our church and came here for Wm.’s birthday dinner; was there for dinner, too (I).

February 4 Wm.’s 49th birthday. A good boy. Phoned to Mabel F. A good friend.

February 5 Ruth and Walter came. Wm. and Doris went away with them in the P. M. Loretta (surname, Alexander, from West Martinsburg) came and spent the evening.

February 6 King George VI found dead in bed. 7:30 A. M.

February 7 Wm. and Doris went to the funeral of Chas. Ellingworth (of Hounsfield, a friend) . Mr. Kelsey came. Mrs. Scott and Harold Peck (both friends of the diarist) wrote.

February 8 Phoned to Ruth M. and Mrs. Sheley (friend) . Heard Mark Clark (the General) from Hotel Woodruff.

February 9 Rolla exchanged trucks with G. P. (Glen Park) fire department. Leonard (grandson) is selling and buying cattle. Talked with Della & Carol Peck (family lived on Williams St., Watertown - Della lived to be 103 yrs. old) on the phone.

February 10 This was my dear father’s birthday. (William R. Gladwyn)

February 11 Rec’d letter and Christmas picture from Della Peck. Eleanor & Carol look nice. Phoned to Della, Marjorie R. (Roacher) & Susie C. (Chapman).Mock battle at Camp Drum.

February 12 John B. Harris (once Mayor of Watertown) is dead. Gladys sent valentine.

February 13 Nina & Clifford (Waters - Nina, a Wallace family cousin) sent a nice valentine and snapshot of them. Cold wind.

February 14 Susie Chapman’s birthday and 51st wedding anniversary. Rec’d valentine and a snapshot of her home from Helen and also from the H. Thought Class and a “pansy” pin. Card from Rosamond (niece - surname, Hynes - wife of District Attorney) from Florida. Wm.....grip.....sick.

February 15 Rec’d valentine chocolates from Margaret Blum and H. T. (Happy Thought) class picture from Ina S (Starkweather) and Ruby Wilson. N. E. wind. Elaine sent candy for the family.

February 16 Mabel Douglas came P. M. Wm. still sick.

February 17 Quiet day. Finished a letter to Gladys C. (Campbell). Doris sent my dinner over.

February 18 Wrote birthday letter to Mrs. Miller (a former minister’s wife) and thank you cards for gifts.

February 19 This is Wm. & Doris’ 28th anniversary.

February 20 Joan home with grip. Wm. some better and he and Doris went for groceries. Mabel Fulton phoned. She has a bad cold.

February 21 Doris brought me good berry pie.

February 22 Wm. went to Sackets with eggs. Doris made a date frosting layer cake. Wm. coughs badly.

February 23 Rolla put the rack on his new truck. Troops in training at Camp Drum are moving to their other bases. 91 planes -- 200 to a plane, etc., some planes carried that many. Gene, Elaine, and Carol came about 9 P. M.

February 24 Gene, Elaine and Carol went to Mrs. Pond’s for dinner. Enjoyed their coming.

February 25 Phoned to Mabel F. and Nellie Lamphear (friend, former teacher in Clayton) , whose birthday is Feb. 29th, Leap Year.

February 26 Wm. and Doris went to Watertown, P. M. and to Campbell’s Point party, evening.

February 27 (no personal message)

February 28 Rec’d the Upper Room from Mabel Fulton.

February 29 Phoned Mabel. She is better but not well. Wm. & D got wallpaper for their dining room. They went to party at Pillar Point.

March 1 Wm. and Rolla went to a farm auction near Clayton. Doris made ice cream.

March 2 Quiet day for all of us. Pond’s at Elaine’s.

March 3 Doris is papering her dining room and it looks very nice.

March 4 Wrote to Myrtle Adams (wife of cousin, Dell Adams) in Ala. and to Dell in Flint, Mich. It began raining about 6 PM

March 5 Doris is varnishing her desk, etc.

March 6 Phoned to Nina Waters last eve and to Mabel F. and Myrna Munson (friend from church) to day.

March 7 William keeps up and does his work but he has another cold, and I am very sorry.

March 8 Sent birthday cards and letters to Rosamond and Gladys. Elaine is coming this weekend.

March 9 A quiet, nice day. Jacqueline Farmer (became Jackie Rheome) has gone to New York as part of her nurse’s training at Mercy Hospital.

March 10 Mabel and Hi came for a nice visit. Clyde Musselman (Elwood) is dead. I phoned to Della Peck.

March 11 Mabel Douglas’ brother, Chas. Kingsley Patrick, died last night of a coronary thrombosis.

March 12 Phoned to Nettie Brown (friend from church and Doris’ 2 cousin) for her birthday and to Mabel Fulton. Doris is papering her bedroom.

March 13 Wm. sold 17 doz. eggs at Sackets. Rosamond was born here 50 yrs. ago today. Rosamond was born here 50 yrs. ago today.

March 14 Rolla brought me a bedroom clock. Wm. painted their kitchen ceiling. Helen sent St. Patrick’s card and letter. Heard Chaplain Loverty.

March 15 Doris papered her kitchen. Nice. Heard Pres. Truman address Columbia University press -----?-----.

March 16 All at home. Glenn McWayne, father of the boy, Kenneth, drowned in Korea homecoming, had funeral at their home to-day. (family lived at Sulphur Springs) A nice day for me. Played piano, etc.

March 17 Leonard and Wm. took calves. Doris got groceries. I phoned to Millie Walrath (friend from church) about Arthur’s illness.

March 18 Doris painted her kitchen woodwork.

March 19 Wm. bought potatoes of Bob O’Neal (lived near Dexter - probably spelled O‘Neil) , $1.50. Harry and Wilma (Schweitzer - Harry once a hired man - Wilma was a Gardner) came to Wm. and I visited with them, too.

March 20 Wm. delivered eggs at Sackets Harbor, 45 cents per doz.

March 21 (no personal message)

March 22 Wm., Doris and girls went to W (Watertown) to get something for Joan’s (granddaughter) birthday dinner and presents. Mrs. Pond is in the hospital. Elaine phoned. Gene has a lame back.

March 23 Carrie Lawton Kentfield, 56, died March 21 of a coronary thrombosis.

March 24 Rolla is promoted April 1 to District Maintenance Man Mechanic (N. Y. State Highway Dept.) . Phoned to Mabel. She feels better but not well.

March 25 William and Doris had a six table card party and served refreshments.

March 26 Joan’s 10th birthday. Loretta brought her a navy blue sweater. Family gave her nice gifts and money. Susan Smith (probably the sister of Jennie Thomas of Lowville area) , 98, Jennie’s sister is dead.

March 27 Wm. bought another ton of coal. Rec’d a nice long letter from Wave Hunter (formerly Wave Adams - cousin of MI). Myrtle is sick. Dell is in Nursing Home. Wave and Clarence will move soon to a new small one floor house nearby.

March 28 Leonard is making a sale of his dairy. Talked with Gladys C. & Mrs. Pond.

March 29 Dr. Livingston (a family doctor from Dexter) is married to Mary Gill. Elaine phoned from Brownville. They are coming tomorrow.

March 30 March is ending nicely. Mrs. Thelma Downing, Watchtower worker, came and read scripture, etc. Elaine, Gene and Carol came for a chicken dinner and I ate with them. They went to see a farm at Rices - P. M.

April 1 Wm. brought me a new radio battery, etc. Doris brought nice groceries, Boiled ham, etc.

April 2 Rolla leaves shop at 4 P.M. - has more pay.

April 3 Wm. and Doris delivered eggs at Sackets.

April 4 Talked with Mabel R. -- Rosamond came P. M. -- brought me fruit, candy, etc.

April 5 All about as usual tonight -- William and Doris went to see Donald (Hasner, son of Doris’s brother, Martin).

April 6 Wm., Doris and girls went to see the Freeman farm for Gene. Gladys phoned before leaving for Farmington tonight.

April 7 Rolla traded his car for a small Dodge truck.

April 8 Doris, Wm. and Joan went to party. Shirley with Leonard at the farm (Leonard’s farm down the road adjoining the Muscalongue Cemetery) . Alone but O. K.

April 9 Blanche Robinson (friend from church) sent me a box of birthday and get well cards.

April 10 Answered some Easter cards & letters.

April 11 Rev. & Mrs. Beach came and had Communion.

April 12 Gene, Elaine and Carol came later.

April 13 Elaine, Gene & Carol left at 10:30 for church and to the Pond’s for dinner. Doris invited me for dinner.

April 14 Gene, Elaine & Carol came back last night.

April 15 Doris, Shirley & Joan had their eyes tested for glasses. Elaine came, evening.

April 16 Easter cards still coming -- one from Helen.

April 17 Talked with Helen Gordon (friend from church) who has just returned from the hospital to Mrs. Sheley’s.

April 18 Wm. took Doris, Shirley and Joan to Watertown to get their glasses. Wm. bought 5 bu. of potatoes, $16.00. Martha Gilbert (music teacher or student teacher (?) at Chaumont - she was from the Cortland, N. Y. area) came to visit Leonard.

April 19 Rolla just traded his truck for a beautiful Oldsmobile car.

April 20 Grace and Jack Lenz (Elaine’s in-laws) and David came P. M. Mr. Beach is home from the hospital.

April 21 Mabel Douglas came P. M.; evening, Hi and Mabel came for a nice visit. Mr. Beach is home from the hospital.

April 22 Rev. Frye is slowly gaining at the hospital. Ethel Peck )Doris’s cousin) gave Doris fancy work articles. Folks went to party. Shirley & I had grape juice.

April 23 Dear Rolla’s 22nd birthday. Rec’d a watch.

April 24 All busy here as usual.

April 25 Bert G (Gilmore) is helping Wm. fix fences. Leonard is milking fifteen cows. Pastures are getting green. No furnace fire. Wm., Doris & girls went to party at Camps Mills (at the one-room schoolhouse).

April 26 Alone most of the day. Gave a birthday call to Rowena Peterson (friend, teacher, and folklorist - see her section on Shirley Farone‘s website) . Daylight savings begins tomorrow.

April 27 This has been a quiet but enjoyable Sunday.

April 28 Japan is granted freedom today........Phoned to Mabel. Mrs. Beach is in the hospital -- knee gave out.

April 29 Mrs. Beach is home from the hospital. Wm. & Burt are working on the brooder house. Joan brought me woods flowers.

April 30 Wm. and Doris went to Chaumont to an auction. Burt G is plowing. Wm. bought a bay mare $90 at the auction.

May 1 Rev. & Mrs. Beach are preparing to retire. Talked with them and with Mabel F. All are feeling better and cheerful.

May 2 Shirley went to Potsdam with band to play for a school band rating.

May 3 All busy here. Rolla has 11 acres at Roy Congdon’s (lived on Airport road - longtime family friends) ready to sow to oats which will be his.

May 4 Wm., my boy, 47 yrs. today. (means his adoption took effect 47 years ago). Gene, Elaine and Carol came 12 noon until evening. Hi and Mabel also came early evening.

May 5 Rolla and Eric have the oats sown at Roy’s. (Eric Farr)

May 6 John Warren is dead. Brooder house about ready for chicks. Doris got my groceries. Shirley is writing school paper on Communism.

May 7 Ruth and Walter (Farmer) came to William’s, also Paul (Farmer), who has a baby sister, Ellen Marie.

May 8 Wm. sowing oats. He likes his new horse.

May 9 Harold & Hilda Thompson were badly hurt in a tractor accident last Sat. (I think she meant Gerald - Hilda’s maiden name was Timmerman).

May 10 Susie (Chapman) phoned Edward Gerald Paul will be married tomorrow Adams Center church.

May 11 Had a fine Mothers Day dinner at Wm’s. Gene, Elaine and Carol came P. M. Stanley and Bessie (Shaw) came (relatives from Canada - Wm.’s cousins).

May 12 Ruth and Walter were with Doris for dinner. (dinner on the farm was at noon)

May 13 Phoned to Mabel. Gen. Mark Clark takes over in Korea. Gen. Ridgeway goes to Europe. Northern New York Conference (Methodist Church) in Pulaski this week.

May 14 Doris had 220 white leghorn chicks come.

May 15 Wrote to Em. Schnik (?) about coming to Watertown for Convention. Doris took Shirley to Sackets to sing & play. One of Wm.’s yearling calves has broken shoulder.

May 16 Shirley and I heard E. Hounsfield 4-H club.

May 17 Wm. has hired a boy, Larry Carpenter, for today & perhaps in vacation. (Larry Carpenter, in 2003, was to win one of the multi-million dollar jackpots of the New York State Lottery!!)

Martha Gilbert came to see Leonard. Heard radio account of armed forces day parade in Watertown.

May 18 Rolla, Wm., Doris, Shirley & Joan went to Canada. Lois came to see Leonard today.

May 19 Mabel phoned. Our new pastor will be Rev. Kenneth Combs. He came from Orwell and Richland.

May 20 Rev. Don R. Boyd, Penn Yann, goes to Asbury.

May 21 The ground is getting pretty wet.

May 22 All seem tired here. Farewell dinner at our church tonight for Rev. & Mrs. Beach.

May 23 Talked with Mabel. 80 at farewell party.

May 24 A quiet day. The family busy. Elaine isn’t coming until next week. Rolla sold his Oldsmobile and bout a 1947 ------?-------- club coupe.

May 25 Wm., Doris and girls went to Town Theatre - Phoned to Della Peck and Rev. & Mrs. Beach. He preached at Beaver Falls. Rev. Combs at Brownville here.

May 26 Hattie Mitchell and Reba came to see me. A very nice friend.

May 27 Donald Hasner passed away at 1:30 this A. M. A dear, good boy. Lovely letter and bulletins from Mabel. Rosamond phoned from Watertown - couldn’t come. Loretta came. Wilma did Doris’s hair.

May 28 Rolla bought a new dark blue suit. Phoned to Mabel and a birthday call to Bertha Snyder. West Germany signs pact.

May 29 Gene, Elaine and Carol came at 1:30 this A. M. to go to Donald’s funeral. Leonard and Rolla were bearers. Sent flowers to me.

May 30 Wm. and Doris took flowers and plants to the Dexter cemetery. Ball’s couldn’t come.

May 31 Phoned birthday greetings to Helen Gordon. Our folks and Elaine’s went to fireman’s parade at Dexter. Shirley played.

June 1 Elaine, Gene and Carol went to Pond’s at 3 P. M. I have my first hard cold since Sept. Marion, Dorcas, Lois & John came.

June 2 Bert and I were married 55 years ago, today.

June 3 Doris got me nice groceries. Wm. brought me cube beef steak.

June 4 Letter from Emma Schmidt. She isn’t coming to the convention next week.

June 5 Gen. Eisenhower takes off uniform to begin political move. My lame back and cold are troublesome.

June 6 A thunderstorm at night -- stopped William’s clock.

June 7 Joan brought me snowballs. Our flowers are nice now, but cannot take them to the cemetery as I used to do. My family cares for them and enjoy them here.

June 8 Doris sent chicken supper.

June 9 Rolla not feeling good. Leonard sold his dairy.

June 10 There are 500 Daughters of Pocohantas in Watertown. Dairyland Festival this eve. Shirley plays in school band.

June 11 Wm. & Bert Gilmore prepare to sow corn. Lowville band won in parade last night. Shirley’s band was praised on the radio.

June 12 Eric Farr is putting in Wm.’s corn. Howard Robinson (friend from church) lost 4 fingers at the Mill (probably the Brownville Board Paper Company) . My cold takes my strength. Got my meals.

June 13 Politics and international troubles still dominate the news. May a lasting christian peace come soon. Wm’s silo corn is all planted.

June 14 Pres. Truman in Conn. keel-laying (?) the first atom propelled submarine. Joan is pretty sick -- may be scarlet fever.

June 15 Elaine is at Ponds but cannot bring Carol on account of Joan’s illness. Wm. helped me in different ways. Doris brought me a chicken supper.

June 16 Dr. Haas came last night -- Joan has scarlet fever and is pretty sick.

June 17 Joan is a little better today.

June 18 William & Burt G. planted potatoes. Joan rested last night (well). Rec’d a card from Hazel Beach, Lowville (?).

June 19 Mabel phoned. Had nice eats. Joan gaining. My back aches.

June 20 Mrs. Ross (mother of Grace Congdon, Roy’s wife) and Grace came. Also our new pastor, Rev. Kenneth Combs, and in evening, Ethel W. (Williamson) and Ina S. (Starkweather) came.

June 21 Summer beings today - 15 hours long. Wm. and Doris went to a farm auction near Burrville - P. M. Shirley and Joan passed excellently.

June 22 Doris brought me meat, gravy & wild strawberries. Rolla went to Syracuse.

June 23 Wrote a card to Mrs. Beach. Joan wrote letter and mailed hers and mine. Shirley played at the Sackets school graduation.

June 24 Sent birthday card to Hazel Ball. Wm. & Burt are getting buckwheat ground ready.

June 25 Rev. Little hurt his hand at Air Brake. Wm., D, and girls went for groceries, etc.

June 26 Wm. & D took a crate of eggs to Watertown.

June 27 Letter from Marion Dengler (cousin‘s daughter) . Doris read a letter from Mrs. Alexander (mother of Loretta, of West Martinsburg) . Leonard has a nice 1950 Ford car.

June 28 Mabel phoned. Elaine sent Doris a card. She isn’t coming. Harold Peck sent Men’s Garden Club paper (Harold was a member of the Watertown Club and specialized in irises - he was a photographer) . Rolla fixed Allen’s (I suspect this was Allen Merchant of Cape Vincent) car. Wm. & Burt sowed 5-1/2 acres of buckwheat.

June 29 Hazel Ball’s 60th birthday. Doris sent chicken dinner.

June 30 Dr. Fox (was a family doctor from Brownville and a long-time friend of Wm.’s) came to try to help my lame back. Ethel W. and Ina S. came with tomatoes, fruit juices, etc.

July 1 Mabel Douglas came. Wm. sowed buckwheat with the new horse.

July 2 Mrs. Sheley phoned. Shirley answered.

July 3 Dear Mother passed away 51 years ago. Wm. is cultivating corn. Mabel sent the Upper Room and a letter. Dr. Fox phoned. He has ordered medicine for me. My heavenly Father answered my prayers. Thunder storm in evening.

July 4 Wm., Doris and girls took their dinner to Washington Park. Mabel D. came. Wm. got my medicine prescribed by Dr. Fox.

July 5 Wm., Doris and girls and Mabel D. went to Bertha Shaw’s (Wm’s first cousin, a Stanley - lived near Gananoque). The boys are here. They stopped at Martin’s (Doris‘s brother, a Hasner).

July 6 Mr. and Mrs. Sheley came. Brought me sweet peas. Told me church news. Mabel and Hi came in the evening.

July 7 My dear father passed away 23 years ago. Republican Nat’l convention opens in Chicago. Taft & Eisenhower contend.

July 8 All feel the heat. Watertown & grocery day.

July 9 Rain delayed farm work.

July 10 (no personal information)

July 11 Heard the nomination of Gen. Eisenhower for President of U. S. Sen. Nixon for V. Pres. & their speeches.

July 12 Wrote to Myrtle & Wave, Harold and Della, Howard & Blanche Robinson. Wm. and D. went to a party. Dry Hill.

July 13 Richard Peck and Mrs. Eula W. Bennoge got a marriage license.

July 14 Men are haying. Doris busy.

July 15 Pearl Congdon (family friend - teacher - once missionary in China) came to pick blackcaps and came in to see me.

July 16 Pres. Truman is in the hospital for check up. Gilmore’s (James and Hester) sold their Brownville home. Sent birthday greetings to Dell and Sally (Sally is diarist’ grand-niece, Sally Hynes).

July 17 Mabel phoned to inquire about me.

July 18 Letter from Mabel. Doris bought hens.

July 19 A rain last night stopped drawing hay. Leonard is having his barn painted red. Elaine, Ruth (Ruth was Mrs. Walter Oliver - Elaine’s in-laws) on vacation. Elaine here overnight.

July 20 Gene, Elaine & Carol went to a cottage 30 mi. from Gananoque for a week.

July 21 Wm. took calf. Doris got groceries. Joan brings me white raspberries.

July 22 All of our family except Leonard went to Elaine’s cottage. Bert Gilmore here.

July 23 (no personal information in this entry)

July 24 Doris did my washing. Wm. made up my bed fresh, swept, etc.

July 25 This is Shirley’s 15th birthday. Nice girl. Rec’d a nice letter from Elaine from Wolf Lake. Doris brought me birthday supper. Ethel W and Mrs. Ball (Mrs. Allen Ball - neighbor and church associate) here, evening.

July 26 Democrats choose Stevenson for Pres., Sparkman, Vice Pres. Gene, Elaine and Carol came -- 5 P. M.

July 27 Gene, Elaine & Carol went to Ponds. Doris brought me fish for dinner. Hi Fulton hurt his hand at cemetery.

July 28 Wilfred came last eve.

July 29 Wm. had “Kit” shod. Doris got new curtains for my bedroom & living room. Ethel and Clarence Peck came, evening.

July 30 Doris put up my new curtains, washed windows and kitchen curtains.

July 31 Doris made me a small berry pie. Rolla is at Roy’s (Congdons on Airport Road). Wrote a birthday letter to Mrs. DiFlorio (wife of a favorite pastor, Dr. Pasquale DiFlorio).

August 1 Nice day -- nice meals -- am thankful.

August 2 There is a deer in the woods on the flat and it comes out in the cornfield. Wm. went for ice cream at 9:30 P. M. and I stayed up to share it.

August 3 Doris brought me beef and gravy for my dinner.

August 4 It is raining this P. M. Hi and Mabel came in the evening.

August 5 Martha played Sextette from Lucia, etc. for me. Rec’d a nice letter from Della Peck. Leonard took Martha to Lacona.

Aug. 6 Rec’d letters from Sally H (Hynes) & Mrs. Beach. Leonard takes Martha around.

Aug. 7 Pleasant. (portions of entry illegible). Wm. (and what appears to be a Pitman shorthand entry) help draw hay. 7 loads, P. M.

August 8 Walter Lee (family friend - lived on Military Road near Catfish Point) helped Wm. Doris s sent me corn, beets and string beans & doughnuts. Girls tidied up my back chamber. Rolla and Burt G went to Black Lake fishing. They got small bull heads.

August 9 Gene has lame back and they may not come this weekend. Doris sent me two of the bull heads for my dinner. Elaine phoned they weren’t coming.

August 10 Allen Phillips (old family friend and neighbor - cared for the Muscalongue cemetery)

came to call. Wrote a card to Lulu Scott. Raining, eve. Shirley & Joan spent the evening with me.

August 11 Shirley and Joan are sick today. Wm., Leonard & Rolla threshed at Lou’s (Lewis Buckminster’s - Doris’s brother-in-law) Saturday.

August 12 Girls feeling some better. Leonard here. Wm. and Doris went to Adams Center to an auction - did not buy.

August 13 Leonard says “Janet” is pretty. (Rolly’s wife-to-be, Janet Ellison)

August 14 Wm. & Doris & girls went away to show last eve.

August 15 Elaine wrote Gene’s back still lame. Mabel phoned. Wilfred is in hospital. Mrs. Owen (first name may have been Clara) with Frank Kellogg (?).

August 16 Nice letter from Mabel.

August 17 Leonard’s 24th birthday. He went to Martha’s. Doris sent over a nice dinner. They had a turkey supper at Farmer’s.

August 18 Mrs. Al Coyle (not known) funeral today. She was drowned. Nice letter from Helen Muldoon.

August 19 Phoned to Mabel last eve. Wrote cards to Helen M. -- Mrs. Beach and birthday card to Celia Evans.

August 20 Nice dinner. Peaches, string beans, etc.

August 21 Wm. & Doris bought a nice garbage can for me at an auction, Smithville.

August 22 (no personal information in entry)

August 23 June Jones & family go to Elaine’s tomorrow so she cannot come. Wm. sowed grass seed on the flat. Eric Farr threshed Rolla’s grain and bought it.

August 24 Saw Ruth & Walter at Wm’s - P. M. Doris sent me pot roast and gravy.

August 25 Nothing special but enjoyable day. Joan embroidering, Shirley at piano.

August 26 Wm., Doris and girls went in the P. M. Rec’d a nice card from Clara Owens (friends)

August 27 Doris got me nice groceries. William told me about the fair. Phoned Mabel. Doris & Wm. went to the hospital to see Wilfred (Chapman, was married to diarist’s step-sister, Bessie Walts)

August 28 Mabel sent Upper Room and a letter.

August 29 A quiet day. Nice things to eat, etc. Yesterday was a record for heat. Bert Lamphear is still in the hospital with a bad heart condition. Wilfred has a bad kidney trouble.

August 30 Wm. & D bought a bushel each of peaches & tomatoes. They and Leonard went to Smithville auction.

August 31 Labor Day. Gene, Elaine, Steve and Ernie (Elaine’s in-laws) went to Syracuse. Carol stayed here. Rolla took our folks and Carol to Cape Vincent. P. M.

September 1 Gene went fishing with ____?____ (Walt crossed out) P. M. Doris and Elaine made dresses for Carol. Gene went with Jack & Grace.

September 2 Gene, Elaine and Carol left for Ponds and home at noon. Card from Mabel from Rindge, New Hampshire and letter from Mrs. Scott.

September 3 Wm. & D. went to see Wilfred. He has an operation today. Shirley arranged my music cabinet and Joan my commode, etc. Cooler today.

September 4 Had a nice phone visit with Mabel. Richard Buckminster & Laura Bronson, 129 N. Pearl Ave., were married Aug. 30.

September 5 Wm. is getting his corn cutter ready. Rolla went to State Fair.

September 6 Wm. began cutting his corn. Cooler weather coming. Doris is still canning fruit, etc.

September 7 Had a fire. Wm. visited and helped. Girls and Rolla made a pleasant evening.

September 8 Cold. wind. Wm. & Leonard cutting corn. Shirley went to school. Joan goes Thurs.

September 9 Phoned to Mabel Fulton. Wilfred was still at the hospital.

September 10 Wrote to Wilfred, Rosamond, and a birthday letter to Dorcas Ball. Wm. is filling silo from the lot.

September 11 Wm. still filling silo, Rolla and Leonard, Bert G. and Fred Schweitzer and son helping. Wm. went to Dr. Haas (of Chaumont) about a bad sting on his hand.

September 12 Filled silo, P. M. Mabel & Hi brought raspberry shortcake for my supper. Ethel W. & Ina S. brought orange juice.

September 13 Finished filling silo. Full. Lew, Harold and Beryl came to help. Rec’d a nice letter from Helen Muldoon.

September 14 Mabel phoned. Wilfred is there for a day or two and is going to nursing home. Mrs. Smith came home from hospital.

September 15 5713 yrs. Jew’s New Year. Wm. and Doris bought 40 more pullets. A much needed nice rain came. Doris brought me her first pullet egg.

September 16 Shirley studies evenings, 2nd year High. Joan doing well. 6th grade.

September 17 Wm. took his ensilage cutter to Fred S. Phoned to Ruth M. about Mrs. Smith and to Mabel. Wilfred went last night to the White nursing home.

September 18 Wm. filling silo at Schweitzers. Gladys and Martha came and soon after that, Helen M came. Fine.

September 19 Elaine expects June this weekend.

September 20 Too wet to fill silo at Schweitzers. Gladys C. starts for Farmington this A. M. Shirley is taking shorthand and typing at school. Have a little fire.

September 21 Phoned to Mrs. Sheley. Jean Hynes and Edward J. Ottenheimer engagement announced. (Jean is Jean Hynes, daughter of niece, Rosamond Hynes.)

September 22 Phoned to Mabel. Wilfred likes nursing home. Ethel W. brought me mixed cookies.

September 23 Autumn really began at 10:45 last eve. Girls came home because school house cold. Closed school because heating system not ready. Heard Senator Nixon’s defense speech.

September 24 A little rain came for the 11 day. Jimmy Siver (next-door neighbor) is helping cut Wms. buckwheat.

September 25 Wm. has the grip. Celia Evans is visiting Doris and came to see me.

September 26 Rev. & Mrs. Combs came to call.

September 27 Gene is in bed taking treatment for sciatica. Wm. and Burt & Rolla have the buckwheat set-up.

September 28 Alone, P. M. Mabel Douglas came.

September 29 The war in Korea shows no signs of peace. Presidential candidates busy.

September 30 Wm. is getting ready for buckwheat threshers. Rolly plowed the 29th at Roy’s (Congdon).

October 1 Phoned to Mabel. Mrs. Pond came, evening. Thunderstorms in the night.

October 2 Wm. and Doris went to look at a car. Elaine sent Doris an electric clock for her birthday, Oct. 7th.

October 3 Clarence Peck was taken to the hospital for treatment for his heart. Gene still keeping quiet with sciatica. Leonard brought me fish he caught.

October 4 Will & Carrie (Conklin, in-laws of the diarist) were married 59 years ago. Heard both pres. candidates last eve. Clarence Peck (Deputy Sheriff Peck was husband of Doris’s cousin, Ethel Bent) is still in oxygen tent.

October 5 Clarence Peck more comfortable.

October 6 Wm. and Doris went for groceries. Doris gave me cauliflower, hamburg, etc.

October 7 Doris’ 48th birthday. Received cards & gifts. Wrote to Gladys Campbell, Farmington.

October 8 Ethel phoned - Clarence still very sick. Wrote a birthday and congratulations in her engagement letter and card to Jean Hynes.

October 9 Had a nice phone visit with Mabel. Wm. & D put 205 chickens in the barn.

October 10 A tribute to Dr. McClung, who passed away suddenly last evening. Our pastor came to have communion.

October 11 Mrs. Lawrence Heatherington is dead. Last night’s low 26 degrees coldest since March.

October 12 Ministers exchange pulpits. Our pastor goes to Dexter. Funeral Services for Dr. McClung were held at Asbury church, 3:30 P. M.

October 13 Clarence Peck, 60, passed away this morning. Wm. and Doris went to the jail to see Ethel. Services will be at the jail.

October 14 Wm. is keeping quiet and taking medicine. Alvin was taken to the hospital this P. M. with a heart attack. Doris went to see him.

October 15 Doris, Leonard & Rolla went to Clarence Peck’s funeral. Alvin still very sick.

October 16 Wm. some better. He and Doris went to Evans Mills to look at a car. This is Elaine’s and Gene’s 4th anniversary. Ethel Peck sent me nice flowers.

October 17 Rec’d nice letter from Rosamond about Jean’s engagement, etc. Wrote birthday card and letter to Carol and Elaine. Virginia Gilmore and Thomas Tobio were married Sunday. (not sure of the spelling).

October 18 Doris got Elaine a green sweater for her birthday. Alvin some better.

October 19 Leonard, Lois, Shirley and Joan went to Elaine’s. Took gifts for her and Carol.

October 20 Snow flurries. This is Elaine’s 28th birthday........Wm. and Doris getting ready for buckwheat threshers. Cold.

October 21 Eric Farr is doing Wms. threshing. Seven men in all. Doris brought me dinner. Our pastor Rev. Kenneth Combs came.

October 22 Ground is too wet to thresh. Alvin is resting comfortably.

October 23 This is dear little Carol’s 3rd birthday. She will have a party. Wm. and Burt are drawing buckwheat to barn, horse.

October 24 Our boys are helping Wm. draw buckwheat. Phoned to Mabel Fulton.

October 25 Wm. finished stacking buckwheat. Sent birthday car to Mabel F. and Marion Dengler. Mabel and Hi came for a nice visit.

October 26 Saw Beryl (Doris’s sister) at Wms. Alvin is still in a weak condition at the hospital. Wm. & D went to see him. Janet came here.

October 27 Sent a card to Jack Lenz, Mercy Hospital. Doris phoned Elaine about Alvin.

October 28 Wm. finished threshing, had 146 bags. Doris had chicken dinner, shared with me.

October 29 Wm., Doris, Leonard and Rolla went to Alvin’s funeral at Johnson’s, Dexter.

October 30 (no personal information in this entry)

October 31 Pearl Congdon found Cora (Congdon) dead in yard when she came home from school yesterday. Burt Gilmore (a long-time neighbor) left for Alabama. Wm. played at Brownville High School party last eve. Pot luck supper at church.

November 1 A beautiful day. Shirley has a new purple corduroy skirt and pretty blue dress. Gene, Elaine and Carol came. 6 P. M.

November 2 Cora Congdon’s funeral at the home, 2 P. M. Gene, Elaine and Carol went to Ponds, 3:20 p. m. Arthur Robinson brought me flowers.

November 3 Gene takes another “shot” from Dr. Kilborn today, then they go home (for sciatica). Wm. & Doris brought vegetables at Jail farm.

November 4 Election day. Phoned Mabel and Ruth Robinson and wrote to Rev. W. O. Hull. Wm. and Doris went to vote.

November 5 Gen. Eisenhower was elected Pres. of U. S. He carried 38 states. Nearly 32,000,000 votes.

November 6 Wm. is building stantions for young stock. Eric is plowing, A. M.

November 7 Snow flurries melted. Cold wind. Leonard, Shirley and Joan went to a school play, “Spring Fever” at Sackets.

November 8 1-1/2 inches of snow fell, melted, etc.

November 9 Cecil Barrett came. Nice meals. Enjoyable day.

November 10 Eric plowing. Wm. plowing. Doris busy.

November 11 Armistice day, 34 years ago. Struggle still back in Korea.

November 12 Phoned to Mabel F. Della and Harold (Peck) and Millie Walrath. Leonard is selling and buying cattle. Letter from Marion (Dengler)

November 13 Rec’d a nice letter from Helen Muldoon. Wm. getting it (?) ready and Eric plowing. Heard school quiz - Sackets won Mannsville, but lost to Glenfield.

November 14 Am copying some of my poems for friends. Beautiful weather. Shirley went to Potsdam to rehearse for a program prepared by the state school music association. Arrived home 12 P. M., tired.

November 15 Shirley returned to Potsdam where she and two others from Sackets school play in a 90 piece orchestra (actually it was a band). 300 will be present to sing, band and orchestra. Gene, Elaine and Carol came for over night and Mr. & Mrs. Pond for the evening.

November 16 Nice visit with Gene & Elaine. Robert Schweitzer and Mary Sachel wed today. Wm. & Doris went to the race (?).

November 17 Wm. bought 5 - 50# shoats of Leonard. I talked with Ethel Peck by phone.

November 18 Rev. & Mrs. Combs and children came to Wms. for a chicken supper. I was there. Rec’d a nice letter from Gertrude Sheley. My father & mother were married 86 years ago.

November 19 Pres. elect Eisenhower meets Pres. and leaders.

November 20 Wm. & Doris, Shirley & Joan went to see Ethel P.

November 21 Doris gave me three boxes of cards from Ethel for my birthday. Shirley came over and typed a poem that I have written for my 85th birthday.

November 22 Rain, noon. Heard fine sacred songs. Wonderful weather for mildness. “Lois” came to see me. Have birthday cards from Ethel W. -- Mabel D. and Lulu Scott.

November 23 Nice Sunday. Girls had lunch with me.

November 24 Hattie Mitchell is at the Keller Nursing home. Elaine’s & Pond’s came evening.

November 25 Mabel and Hi came. She brought me correspondence cards. Mabel D. brought me stationery and candy.

November 26 Helen Muldoon brought me chocolate pie, tomato juice, cranberries & corn. Nina Waters sent flowers by Helen.

November 27 Thanksgiving and my 85th birthday. Elaine, Gene and Carol came at 10 A. M. I had a turkey dinner with the family. Rev. Combs and his mother came. Wilfred Chapman died at home of niece.

November 28 Gene went to Dr. Kilborn for a treatment.

November 29 Wm., Doris and Elaine went to Wilfred’s funeral. Wm. was a bearer, also Hi F. Gene, Elaine and Carol went to Pauline Brown’s (worked with Elaine at Phelps & Hudson) for lunch. 6:30 P. M.

November 30 Gene, Elaine went to Mrs. Pond’s at 4 P. M. and expect to go to Waterville Mon.

December 1 Wm. & Doris took eggs to market, etc.

December 2 Snow flurries. Letters and cards came. Jean Hynes is to be married in church, Dec. 27th.

December 3 Ithaca cousins sent a box of canned goods, cookies, and beautiful calendar, 1953. Rec‘d letter from Edith Walts. (a Getman).

December 4 Am writing cards and letters.

December 5 Phoned to Mabel F. Wrote letters. Gene, Elaine and Carol came, evening.

December 6 Our folks and Elaine’s went to Watertown shopping. Gene took a treatment. He is getting better. Wm. and Doris went to Dexter to Frank Reed’s funeral. Elaine’s folks, girls and I had lunch together.

December 7 About 3 P. M., Gene, Elaine and Carol went to Mrs. Pond’s to make fruit cakes, etc. for a few days’ stay. Enjoyed this day.

December 8 All busy. I am writing letters & cards.

December 9 Elaine, Gene and Carol went to Ponds.

December 10 Doris gets 150 eggs a day. Wm. has 44 head of stock to care for. Rowena Peterson’s mother is dead.

December 11 Wm. and Doris took a crate of eggs away. Lovely letter from Rev. M. P. Beach. All heard Dr. Sizoo’s talk on his trip to Korea.

December 12 Gene, Elaine & Carol came about 6 P M.

December 13 Sunny. Colder. Funeral services for Rowena’s mother, 2:30. Cecil Barrett came. Gene & Elaine went o an auction at Adams Cove.

December 14 Gene, Elaine & Carol went to June Jones’s for dinner. Joan is making me a diary. Shirley typed my poem. Ray Johnson died - 12:30 A. M., at the hospital.

December 15 Gene, Elaine & Carol returned this P. M. Electoral college elected Eisenhower..

December 16 Gene, Elaine & Carol went to Pond’s, evening.

December 17 Gene, Elaine & Carol return to Waterville.

December 18 NORTHWIND - COLD. (no personal message)

December 19 Am receiving and writing many cards. Shirley played and sang at school recital.

December 20 Rolla and our girls are going to get a Christmas tree. Snow began falling in the evening.

December 21 Winter begins at 4:44 P. M., today. The girls are trimming their tree. Doris sent me a chicken supper.

December 22 Rowena Peterson has a nervous breakdown. Mrs. Robt. Scott’s funeral at our church.

December 23 Sleet, rain P. M. Leonard gave me an electric lamp in the form of a church.

December 24 Phoned to Mabel -- had a nice visit. Received gifts from Rosamond, Balls and Denglers, Loretta, and Margaret Blum. Mr. Combs and the carol singers came and sang carols.

December 25 Gene, Elaine & Carol here for the tree. Janet came. P. M. Wonderful day. For gifts, see last page of this diary.

December 26 Rolla had a car accident - Christmas - but wasn’t to blame, gets insurance.

December 27 Jean Hynes married at 11 A. M. to Edward Ottenheimer (in church). Wrote thank you’s for Christmas gifts.

December 28 Gene, Elaine & Carol came to chicken dinner.

December 29 550 traffic deaths during the holidays. Nice mail. Phoned to Mabel & Martha. Gene went to see Dr. Haas.

December 30 Gene is trying out a milk route.

December 30 Rosamond, Hugh (McGuire - Rosamond’s second husband) and Hughie came to Watertown. Rosamond came down to see us -- told us about the wedding.

Della Peters--- Brown bread, good
Mrs. Beach--- Oysters (not in box)
Mrs. Ball--- Peach marmalade
Mrs. Smith--- Corn
Helen Gordon--- Roaster with green cookies (fine)
Nettie Brown--- Jelly
Mrs. Sheley--- Jelly and Christmas cards
Blanche Robinson--- Peaches and cut beans
Jessie Hall--- Mince Meat
Mrs. Pond--- Jelly
Martha Wilson--- Tomato juice
Mrs. Barrett--- Pine can of grape juice
Mrs. Beach--- Asparagus soup
Marion Farrington--- Strawberry jam
Anna Douel--- Orange Juice
Millie & Art Walrath--- 2 jellies
Mrs. Smith--- Wild strawberry jam
Alice Skinner--- 2 jars of jelly
Ethel Williamson--- 3 cans fruit
Bertha Snyder--- Apple Sauce - Grapefruit
Mary & Alfred--- Strawberry jam - Concord grape juice, orange m.
Ruby Wilson--- Orange Marmalade
Lena Ball--- Strawberry jam
Beatrice Munson--- Cherry jam
Bob & Ruth Merriam--- Jelly
Myrna Munson--- Orange juice
Cleve Wilton--- Orange juice
Clara Frommer--- Schrapple (sic)
Lola Cooper--- Fruit cocktail
Edna Yelle--- Cranberry sauce
Mrs. Welch--- Wild strawberry jam
Nettie Anderson--- Jelly
Nada Babcock--- Jam

Doris & Wm.--- Blue House Coat
Joan--- Diary made by herself
Elaine--- Canned Cauliflower, etc.
Leonard ---& Lois Electric church
Rosamond--- White sweater
Ball’s & Denglers--- Maple candy and an apron
Margaret Blum--- Handkerchief
Loretta--- Box of chocolates, Book of Christmas poems
Ethel Peck--- Box of note paper
Gladys Campbell--- Date book

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