.x:10
D I A R Y
O F
M A R Y A N N P I E R P O N T
M I L L E R
for
1 8 9 0
Transcript of Diary of Mary Ann Pierpont Miller
for the year 1890
[made by Benjamin Dunning for Robert Kraft, March 1994]
[original format retained, except hyphens resolved]
[copyright Robert Kraft, March 1994; family use permitted]
Mary A. P. Miller
East Farms
Waterbury, Conn.
01\01\1890 (Wednesday)
Weather - Fair
Alice, Lena and Fred came yesterday
and went home on the 1.20 train.
Walter and Edith were here to dinner.
Clyde went to the shop. I went
after milk, saw Mrs. Benham's 4 d.
old baby. Annie came at{a!} 1.30 and
staid till after 4. Ironed a little.
01\04\1890 (Saturday)
A beautiful day. I was busy as
could be all day. The children's
colds{cold!} were very severe. Did not bake,
boiled meat, made applesauce, finished
Margaret's shirt, mended etc. after the boys
had gone to bed. Went to bed about 1.
01\05\1890 (Sunday)
Weather - Hot
Irving was very croupy all night.
Clyde's cold was better but did not
dare take them out so I went to
the Chapel alone. Mr. Robbins preached
a good sermon, went up to see Mother
and Uncle Lavinus{?}, home about 6. Margaret
very feverish and sick, telephoned Dr. for
advice. Slept down stairs with her.
01\06\1890 (Monday)
Margaret was better but Dr. came
to see all the children, said he thought
they coming along nicely. They have
the prevailing influenza. Hallie Austin
and Mrs. Warner came to telephone. Geo.
Nettleton commenced working for C.
and boarding here.
01\07\1890 (Tuesday)
Weather - Cloudy
Children a great deal better. Cara
came out with Charlie at noon to
make a visit but Iva telephoned
that Roll was sick and Louise was
over home. Sewed some on Marg't
skirt. Mr. N., Cara and I played letter game
in the eve.
01\08\1890 (Wednesday)
Weather - Fair and rainy
Cara went home in the morn.
I baked bread fries and cake. The
children were very irritable which I
suppose is a good sign. Clyde
found Margaret's first tooth.
10 mths, 2 wks, 1 day old.
01\09\1890 (Thursday)
The children were better. Ironed
in the afternoon.
01\10\1890 (Friday)
Weather - Rain
01\11\1890 (Saturday)
Weather - Rain
Baked bread fries, cake, sausage but
Margaret's eye was swollen so
full couldn't open it. Dr.
Barber said it was the result of
influenza, mended in the eve.
Went to bed about 12.30.
Found Margaret's second tooth.
01\12\1890 (Sunday)
A beautiful day. Geo. went to
Prospect to church. We all went
out to see Mother and Uncle Lavinus{?}.
Margaret's eye was a little better.
01\13\1890 (Monday)
Sent the washing to Mrs. Durkee.
Was busy as usual all day.
01\19\1890 (Sunday)
Weather - Fair
We did not get up till late.
Clyde, Irving and I went to the
Chapel then to see Mother. Stopped
at Addie Edwards a few minutes.
01\23\1890 (Thursday)
Austin taken home from the market
sick with La grippe.
01\26\1890 (Sunday)
Weather - Fair
Billy brought Mother around
from church. Clyde and Irving, she
and I went to Chapel then took
her home. Dr. Rowland preached.
Austin was there.
01\27\1890 (Monday)
Weather - Rain, cloudy
I washed.
01\28\1890 (Tuesday)
Weather - Fine
Scrubbed and cleaned. Ironed.
Austin peddled. Iva came out,
at night went skating and staid
all night.
01\29\1890 (Wednesday)
Baked bread fries and cake.
01\30\1890 (Thursday)
Sewed more than usual.
01\31\1890 (Friday)
Weather - Cloudy
Addie Edwards and three children came
over in the morn with our team
and staid all day. Cut my
calico dress.
02\01\1890 (Saturday)
Weather - Cloudy
Mr. Wm. Frost was buried at
East Farms, he died in Sterling,
Ill.
Nellie came out on the train,
left Margaret on the floor while
we went down to grave.
I got the boys new rubbers, bed at 1.
02\02\1890 (Sunday)
Will and Fred Somers came in the
morning. Geo., Irving and I went to
the Chapel (Mr. Elsdon) then up
to Mother's. Irving about sick.
02\09\1890 (Sunday)
Charles J. Pierpont 43.
Dr. Anderson preached at the
Chapel. Subject, How old
art thou? A beautiful
sermon. What if I knew
I should die this year? How
would I live.
02\10\1890 (Monday)
John L. Pierpont 41.
02\11\1890 (Tuesday)
Austin B. Pierpont 41.
02\13\1890 (Thursday)
Weather - Fine
Went over to Hattie P.'s with the
children, up to Jennie's a little
while.
02\15\1890 (Saturday)
Harry A. Conner, 11.
02\16\1890 (Sunday)
Wilson L. Pierpont 35.
Geo. Nettleton, Clyde, Irving and I
went to Chapel and up to Mothers.
Charlie and Geo. went prayer-
meeting in the eve.
02\19\1890 (Wednesday)
Charlie and Geo. went Ladies
Union in eve.
02\21\1890 (Friday)
Weather - Cold
Josie Nettleton and Susie called.
02\22\1890 (Saturday)
Weather - Cold
Myra Somers and Iva came out
at noon, went skating and home
on the train.
02\23\1890 (Sunday)
Weather - Fine
Arthur brought Mother
out from church, she, Clyde and I
went Chapel, then took her
home, stopped at Addie Edwards.
Mr. Davenport, "Speak the truth
in love." "Happy Homes." Good.
C. went in eve.
02\24\1890 (Monday)
Weather - Rain
Margaret Pierpont Miller, 1 yr.
had 2 teeth, could walk by things
a little. Eats bread and butter, apples,
milk etc. Nursed. Went up stairs
to bed alone last night and to night.
02\25\1890 (Tuesday)
Weather - Rain
Clyde went to shop. Irving and I went
in town on cars. Hattie took care of
Margaret. Miss Picket hung my cashmere
(black) skirts.
02\26\1890 (Wednesday)
Weather - Fine
Baked. The children and I went
to school in the P.M. Some of the
ladies had a spelling match. I
beat.
02\27\1890 (Thursday)
Ironed, sewed.
02\28\1890 (Friday)
Swept, did not feel very well.
Clyde caught his finger in
the panning mill and tore the nail
off.
Felt Margaret's third tooth.
03\01\1890 (Saturday)
Felt better, accomplished more.
03\02\1890 (Sunday)
Weather - Cold
03\03\1890 (Monday)
Weather - Fair
Washed. Geo. P. brought milk,
made paths for me.
Felt Marg't fourth tooth.
03\04\1890 (Tuesday)
Weather - Fair
Ironed some, scrubbed etc.
Eva Todd and Charlie Clark
were married at 8.30 P.M. at
Austin's house by Mr. Davenport.
03\05\1890 (Wednesday)
Eva and husband went to
Vermont to live.
Little Ray Ashborn died of
diphtheria, 3 yrs. 5 mth.
Mame sent Baby some clothes
of Louise's.
Baked etc. H.P. went in town
to shop a while.
03\06\1890 (Thursday)
Finished ironing.
03\07\1890 (Friday)
Annie brought over milk stand
to dinner. 3 h.
Sewed a little.
03\08\1890 (Saturday)
Baked. Austin said Mother
was sick.
03\09\1890 (Sunday)
Weather - Fine
We all went to see Mother,
took a sleigh but it was
very poor, found her better.
Cara and Father Miller came
out in the morn. C. and G. went
to Chapel in the eve. Will came over.
03\10\1890 (Monday)
Washed.
03\11\1890 (Tuesday)
Would have been Father's birth
day, 65.
03\16\1890 (Sunday)
Geo. and I went to the Chapel,
no minister. Mr. Garrigus
read the Sermon on the Mount,
up to Mother's.
03\17\1890 (Monday)
Washed.
03\18\1890 (Tuesday)
Jenni Bronson called, helped
me iron.
03\19\1890 (Wednesday)
Morton E. Pierpont, 6.
03\23\1890 (Sunday)
Charlie and I went to Chapel, Mr.
Davenport. Geo. staid with
the children. Stopped at Addie
Edwards.
03\24\1890 (Monday)
Weather - Fine
Commenced to wash. Jennie Bronson
staid with the children in the P.M.
I went in town on the train, had a
wisdom tooth out, got my black
cashmere skirt and tried on my brown
dress and Miss Pickett called and Mame.
The children were real good.
03\25\1890 (Tuesday)
Weather - Rained
Finished washing.
03\26\1890 (Wednesday)
Weather - Fine
Scrubbed and cleaned, ironed
some.
03\27\1890 (Thursday)
Baked and finish ironing and swept
mothers room.
03\28\1890 (Friday)
Swept up stairs, mended.
03\29\1890 (Saturday)
Weather - Snowed
Baked.
Commenced to wean Marg.
She had nothing all night,
cried over an hour I think
but wouldn't touch milk or
water.
03\30\1890 (Sunday)
Weather - Squally
Geo. went to Prospect. We went
to Mr. Ed Todd's, a very pleasant
call, home for a while, then
up to Mother's. C. and G. to
prayer meeting. Nursed Marg't twice
during the day.
03\31\1890 (Monday)
Washed, everything went wrong.
04\01\1890 (Tuesday)
Ironed some. Fooled C., G., Mr.
Adams and Ed Bronson. Got fooled
by Ed. The ground and every
thing was covered with a
beautiful soft snow.
04\02\1890 (Wednesday)
Weather - Fine
Baked bread. Annie took us
all to the Sewing Society, quilted.
Margaret was very uneasy.
In the eve Geo. came after
us, got home about 10.
Annie told about Elmer.
04\03\1890 (Thursday)
Weather - Fine
Finished ironing.
04\04\1890 (Friday)
Weather - Rain
Good Friday
We all went over home. Iva and I
went to Union service at First C.
Frank and Gussie, Fred and Mrs. Churchill
were home.
04\05\1890 (Saturday)
Nursed Margaret for the
last time to-day.
04\06\1890 (Sunday)
Went to Chapel and up to Mother's.
Dr. Munn came to Uncle Lavinus,
said he had Odd Folks consumption.
Mother M., Mame, Rowl and Louise
went with me.
04\07\1890 (Monday)
Washed.
04\08\1890 (Tuesday)
Ironed.
04\09\1890 (Wednesday)
Weather - Rain
Baked and ironed. Hattie Pierpont
came to tea and staid all night.
04\12\1890 (Saturday)
Father, Mother's 59.
Uncle Lavinus Bronson Warner
died about 10 P.M.
04\13\1890 (Sunday)
Weather - Fine, Thermometer - 80
Went up to Mother's then
down to Mother M.'s to a surprise
dinner. Carried Gussie down to
her house after a veil for Mother.
04\14\1890 (Monday)
Weather - Fine
Washed.
04\15\1890 (Tuesday)
Weather - Cooler
Mother Miller 56.
Uncle Lavinus was buried, funeral
at the house 2. Chapel 2.30.
6 nephews for bearers. Dr. Rowland,
Hattie P. went with us. Jenni Bronson
kept Marg't. Went over to
West Cheshire home at 8.
04\16\1890 (Wednesday)
Weather - Fair
Baked beans, furnished butter,
dried beef, part{?} oranges for Lulu{?}
Sewing Society, went with Jenni
and Susie. Marg't staid with Hattie,
Clyde and Irving, went shop, drove
Will's horse home.
04\17\1890 (Thursday)
G. Hattie Conner, 15.
Baked, ironed, finished at
10 P.M. Irving went to shop.
04\18\1890 (Friday)
Mame and Louise came on the
train, staid all day. Mrs. Benham's
baby staid here while
she went in town.
Margaret got up alone
in the middle of the room.
04\20\1890 (Sunday)
Went down into the woods for a
walk. Up to see Mother
{and Uncle Lavinus - crossed out} Aunt Amanda,
Charlie and Juliet and Anna were
there.
04\21\1890 (Monday)
Washed. Clyde went to shop.
04\22\1890 (Tuesday)
Irving went to shop.
04\23\1890 (Wednesday)
Clyde went shop.
04\24\1890 (Thursday)
Cleaned the front closet and partly
cleaned the room. Commenced
to rain as I was going to put
the carpet out.
04\25\1890 (Friday)
Weather - Rained
Sewed all the afternoon. Went
over to see Hattie a minute before
tea.
04\26\1890 (Saturday)
Weather - Fair
Finished cleaning the room in
the morning, ready for the
carpet baked in the afternoon.
Sick head ache commenced after
supper, was quite sick all the
eve. Commenced - nearly 2 yr.
04\27\1890 (Sunday)
Weather - Rain
Felt some better, staid home
all day.
Annie Huxford was found A.L.{?}
Welton's pond, probably been
there 2 or 3 weeks - mysterious.
04\28\1890 (Monday)
Weather - Fine
Washed.
04\29\1890 (Tuesday)
Scrubbed and ironed. Geo. staid
with the children. Charlie and
I went to Grange Sociable.
Grand Marched. Helped a
little on supper, got home at{a!}
12.
04\30\1890 (Wednesday)
Weather - Fair
Mr. Benham kept Margaret while
the boys and I went in town on the
train, order a hat fixed, shopped,
saw the fire horses come out at 12.
Mrs. Picketts for my brown dress.
Baked in the afternoon.
05\01\1890 (Thursday)
Weather - Fine
Put down the carpet in front
chamber, took up the one in
hall, cleaned and put it back.
Thunder shower.
05\02\1890 (Friday)
Weather - Fine
Arbor Day
Clyde and Irving went to shop.
Cleaned the little room upstairs,
got my room about ready for
whitewash. Lucy came down for
a while.
05\03\1890 (Saturday)
Baked etc.
05\04\1890 (Sunday)
Weather - Rain, damp
Expected to take Baby in to
church. Irving fell off the back
shed floor in the baby carriage,
hit on the stone step & cut his
forehead. Clyde and I went to
chapel. Mr Clidon{?} on the man with
one talent, stopped at Addie Edwards.
05\05\1890 (Monday)
Weather - Fine
Chas staid home till noon and{an!}
whitewashed our room, stairway,
east hall and sink room. I cleaned
the floor in our room, sink room,
shelves etc.
Cherry trees full bloom.
05\06\1890 (Tuesday)
Weather - Rain
Washed the white clothes, hung
them out about 5.
05\07\1890 (Wednesday)
Weather - Fine
Washed colored clothes, scrubbed etc.
Ironed a little in afternoon.
Hattie P. came in.
05\08\1890 (Thursday)
Baked and ironed. Put the
garret to rights.
05\09\1890 (Friday)
Finished cleaning my room.
Emptied big chest in Clyde's
room for Clyde to take up garret.
05\10\1890 (Saturday)
Baked, sewed, etc.
Margaret took her first
step alone.
05\11\1890 (Sunday)
Weather - Fine
Went up to see Mother. All her
children there. She gave me
Grandma's bellows and a
hame{?}. Cara came of Uncle
Lavinus.
05\12\1890 (Monday)
Weather - Fine
Washed. Mrs. Seneca Munson
called to beg for the Chair at
the Chapel.
C. went to Danbury drumming,
got home at 4 in the
morning.
05\13\1890 (Tuesday)
Weather - rained
Boiled 2 tongues for Fair
mount, to bed at 8.30.
I got up about 9. Whitewashed
Geo.'s room. Mrs. Merton
helped me clean his and Clyde's
room.
05\14\1890 (Wednesday)
Weather - Rain
Finished ironing about 11 P.M.
Clyde was at the shop, got
wet through coming home.
05\15\1890 (Thursday)
Weather - Rain
Clyde went to shop. Mrs.
Welton came, we cleaned the