10th Friday. Partly
fair, and cloudy. I went to town yesterday. Mrs. Milton Credle
[Aleph Evelyn (Watson) Credle], Mrs.
Leon Harris [Florence (Boomer) Harris], Mrs. Jack Parkin
[Mary Emily (Boomer) Parkin] and her two young girls - Florence and
Maud came to see me this P.M
11th Saturday. Cloudy.
Nothing special today. Windy.
12th Sunday. Fair-colder.
Met my S.S. Class, service at our Church by the pastor - R.R. Grant
[Rev. Rufus Rhodes Grant].
Dinner with Bro. Alec. Berry [Alexander Berry]. This P.M. went to see
Grant, and then
to see Mamie [Mamie Weston (Brothers) Berry, wife of John
Madison Berry], my dau.
13th Monday. Fair. More
Pleasant. Went to town this A.M. Dinner with Willie Credle at his
father’s house - 1st time. Margt Swindell (5) &
Haywood Cahoon (6)
spent the P.M. with me.
14th Tuesday. Fair.
Warmer. Got oil-Cook-Stove from Grant - a loan. Rode with Harry Swindell to town this P.M. Walked back.
15th Wed. Fair A.M. Cloudy
P.M. Cold, light, rain this evening.
16th Thur. Fair, more
pleasant, some wind. Walked to town and back again. Went with Grant
to see Bro. Hines and his family.
17th Fair Friday.
Frosty. Ice. More pleasant this P.M. I went to Mr. Jos C. Swindell’s, after
dinner-supper and spent until 8-25 P.M.
18th Saturday. Partly fair
and cloudy. Mr. J.C. Swindell kindly took me to the store of
Edw.
Ellis Bridgeman & Co., this P.M., at my solicitation. Very cloudy
this P.M. Clearing later. Bath tonight.
19th Sunday. Not real
fair. Walked to S.S. no Church service. Dinner with Mr. & Mrs. Dan.
Berry. On way back, stopt a while at Staton Howard’s: his wife
handed me a dresser scarf she made for me; and said she would make
another.
My
Birthday 24th
20th Monday. Fair. Walked
to S.Qr., and back. Was at Mamie’s at dinner-time and ate with them.
She hemmed a cloth for me. I brot. back several bundles. Stop to
see little Margaret Swindell; she’s sick.
21st Tuesday. Fair. Walked
to town and back. Spring-like.
22d Wednesday. Cloudy.
There is a heavy wind storme tonight. (8-20)
23d Thursday. Fair
colder. Went to see Margaret this P.M. - better. As tomorrow is my
birthday-56, I took a bath tonight, and am to go to Mr. Milton Credle’s for dinner. His is the 25th, and so we will have his and my
birthday dinner together, on my birthday - 24th.
24th Friday Fair. My
birthday - 1860-1916 = 56 yrs. It is right much cooler, this A.M.
Frost and some ice. In my mail, this morning, I got a birth-day
present from my cousin, John L. Brothers and his wife: it was a box
containing two (2) pair of very nice socks; and four (4) good
handkerchiefs. The blessing of God upon them. The prospect is for a
pleasant day, as to the weather; and I trust as to every incident of
the day. 2-00 P.M? Well, I have been to my birthday dinner at Mr. Milton Credle’s. It was a good, substantial, sensible dinner; and I
enjoyed it. The time there was pleasantly spent - about 2 hours. No
company there - just Mr. & Mrs. C. [Credle] and myself. The pleasure seemed
to be mutual. I stopt in to see the sick girls - Myrtle and Myra Swindell; they are better. It is cloudy and warmer this afternoon.
Partly Fair Later.
25th Saturday. Fair and
warmer. Have kept close, today.
26th Sunday. Cloudy or
foggy: heavy dew. Went to our Sunday School. Attended service in the
Baptist Church. Ate dinner at the Harris Hotel, by inv. of the
Proptr. Went to see Mamie; then to Mr. Tim. Berry’s then to
Mr. Joe Swindell’s, then home by 6 P.M. Fair most of the day. Quite warm.
27th Monday. Partly
cloudy. Rode to town, this morn. With Geo. Peterson (col) made no
purchase, except stamps, came walking back. Stopt at Mr. J.C. Swindell’s, got little
Margaret to come on home with me: she ate
dinner with me. She was real nice.
28th Tuesday. Fair most of the day.
Nothing special.
29th Wednesday. Cloudy.
Walked to town; carried our first eggs (36) to the store and got
trade. Stopt on way back at Joe Rayburn’s to help Mrs. Leon Harris
to put up a horse she was afraid of. I went in the house to see Mrs. Parkin and the little girls, and invited the girls to spend tomorrow
with me.
30th Thursday. Cloudy and
colder, this m. The girls did not come until nearly four P.M. They
spent nearly two hours with me. I walked home with them, and, being
invited, I stayed for supper, and until about half past 8. It has
cleared off.
31st Friday,
fairest of the week. Windy. Nothing to record.
~~~~~~~
APRIL ~~~~~~~
1st Saturday.
Fair. Frost. 34° at 6 A.M. I walked to town; rode back, 3/4 miles
in car with Clifford Weston. 76°
now - 11-20
Co. Commencement
C.S. Noble Speaker
2d. Sunday. Fair
Warmer. Walked to Sunday School; taught my class. Attended service
at Baptist Church. Dinner at Mr. Charlie Jones. Went to see
Mamie.
Walked part of way back; rode ballance of way with two Swindell
boys. I am not feeling well, tonight.
3d. Monday. Cloudy
and some rain - am glad to see it.
4th. Tuesday.
Cloudy. Clearing this evening. E.B. Spencer came and got our
incubator to see what he can do with it. Success to him! I went to
Mr. J.C. Swindell’s to see little Margaret.
5th. Wednesday.
Partly cloudy. After dinner, I rode to town with Macon Harris;
carried 2 doz-eggs. Walked back.
6th. Thursday.
Cloudy. Rained last night. A little sunshine this P.M. Quite a no.
of people drove by going to Swanquarter to be at the Co. School
Commencement there, tomorrow. Fair tonight.
7th. Friday. Fair.
Colder - 42° at 6-20, A.M. Left for town at 9-30; walked there. A large
crowd there for the Commencement exercises. Prof. M.C.S. Noble made
the address. I was one of the judges in the declamation and
recitation contest; we gave the medals, one to Chase Benson; the
other to Ellis Credle (a young girl) [see
article on Ellis]. I went to Mamie’s for dinner;
quite a no. there. I walked the first part of the way home, and rode
the ballance of the way with a stranger young man; he told me his
name, but I forget it. It is cold, windy and cloudy. I got
back just before four o’clock. The Commencement last year was April
16th; and a larger crowd than today.
8th. Saturday.
Rain, last night; cloudy, this m. Faired off, this afternoon. Took
bath tonight. It is getting cloudy.
9th Sunday.
Fair. There was rain last night. It is cold this
morning, and windy. Walked to
the Church; conducted class; attended service by our pastor - Grant;
ate dinner with him and family; went to see Mamie; then stopt at
Mrs. Rayburn’s; then went over to Mr. Joe Swindell’s, and stayed
until supper, but did not eat. Returned home found Mr. Mann had gone
home. Most of the day has been cold and windy and mostly
cloudy.
10th Monday.
Fair and cold - 38°
at 6-30 a.m. The day has been mostly fair, moderating, and but
little wind.
11th. Tuesday.
Fair. 42° at 6
a.m.
Cecil
Harris is moving his family, by here, this m. from the old to the
new (rented) home “down the lake.” Went to J.C. Swindell’s for
dinner. Grant and his children - Etta Beal, Elizabeth and
Minnie;
and Iredell Brinn and Jim Hayes, came out and spent a while with me
this afternoon.
12th Wednesday.
Fair and warmer. Rode
to town this m. with a Mr. Watson. Walked back, with two settings of
eggs I got from Mrs. L.H. Swindell; and set two hens.
13th.
Thursday. Fair and warmer. nothing special.
14th Friday.
Fair and warm. Rode, in
a wagon, to town, with Mr. Rose. Had measure taken for a suit
of new clothes; it was proposed to buy me a suit by my friends.
I walked back feeling sick and tired; rested twice on the way.
Have had to lie down twice this P.M. Feeling some better
tonight
15th Saturday.
Fair: some cooler. Nothing special. 9-30, P.M. I have made all
my preparations for Sunday.
16th Sunday.
Fair, some warmer. Walked
to S.S. Ate dinner at Mr. Charlie Jones. Went to see Grant who was
getting off to Rich Sq. To marry his brother Kelly. Went in to see
Mr. Rube Harris who is laid up with rheumatism; stopt in to see
Mr.
Lewis Swindell, and stayed for supper. Walked home; Mr. Mann gone.
17th Monday.
Fair. Rode to
town with Mr. Gibbs of Middleton; rode back with Mr. Jones of the
Lake section. I raked the lot, front, sides and back of the
house; and am tired tonight.
18th. Tuesday.
Fair. Cool. There was rain before 10 P.M. last night. Got a
pkg. from Neppie this m. ["Neppie" was Penelope Brothers,
daughter of the diarist, C.C. Brothers.] She sent me her sheets, pillow cases,
towels, napkins, and counterpane. I walked to town and back
this m. Went to J.C. Swindell's this evening; back about 9-10
P.M.
19th.
Wednesday. Fair. Nothing worth recording today.
20th. Thursday.
Fair. warmer. Mamie
and her children came this morning, and spent the day with me, am
glad of it. The left about five-30. The day has been
quite warm.
Easter Sunday
21st. Friday.
Fair and warm. Walked
to town, this m’g. Mr. Sam Windley kindly bro’t me back from his
place, in S Qr. where he is building a new house. Two goats
were left here this afternoon; they are in the back of the farm.
More are coming I am told. A warm day.
22d Saturday. I
broke my glasses tonight, thru carelessness. Bath &c [etc.]
tonight.
23d Sunday.
Easter Sunday. Fair and cooler. Walked to the Sunday
School, conducted my class on the resurrection of Christ.
Attended service at the Baptist Church. Took
dinner at Mr. Bob Tunnell’s. A dense smoke hung over this way,
enveloping this place. I was right much concerned about it.
But no fire was in sight, and the smoke soon passed off, glad to
say.
24th Monday.
Fair this morning. Cloudy this evening. Leslie
B. Jones came and bro’t me a percolator. I asked him to get one for
me on his off trip. He would receive no pay. I appreciate his
kindness, most sincerely. He is the Rep. candidate for Congress, in
this 1st District. He is a Christian gentleman, a young man of fine
parts, and worthy of highest esteem.
25th Tuesday.
Partly cloudy this morning. I rode
to town just before
noon, with a young man - Mr. Midyett. Dinner with Grant.
Walked back toting flour &c. [etc.]
26th Wednesday.
Fair. Partly cloudy this p.m. At 7-15 it is raining
right hard--good for more drinking water. Rain gone and stars
shining before 8-30. One barrel filled. Sent
my glasses to Dr. J.D. Hathaway, Monday morning, and got them back
this morning, from Elizabeth City.
27th Thursday.
Partly cloudy most of the day. Fair this evening. Charlie Boomer stopt in for a few
ms.
School
closing Ex. tonight.
28th Friday.
Fair. Cool. Made inside steps at the fence this p.m.
29th Saturday.
Fair in the morning, rain after noon.
30th Sunday.
Fair and colder. Walked to the S.S.: preached, or lectured, or
talked on Church Membership and the obligations. Grant was
there, unexpectedly to me. Ate dinner at his home; had other
invitations. Walked
back home, on the way I stopt at “Lum”. Cahoon’s [Columbus
Cahoon], for a while.
The day has been pleasant.
~~~~~~~ MAY ~~~~~~~
1st Monday.
Fair. Cool. Rising temperature. Finished the fence
steps about 1 P.M.. Walked to
town this afternoon. Walked back, some over a half mile, then rode
with Mr. Henry McGowan. Mr. J.C. Swindell brot. my bundles to
his house when I got them and rode on home here.
2d Tuesday.
Fair and pleasant this morning. I went
to town, stopt at Mr. Milton Credle’s, on the way. Carried 15 eggs
to market. Ate dinner at Staton Howards; walk home. Stopt at
Credle's again and got some radishes & cakes.
3rd. Wednesday. Fair.
Chicks hatched under the two hens.
4th Thursday.
Partly cloudy and warm. This is Mamie’s Birth Day - 25 yrs. of age.
She and her family - John and three children came after
about 11 o'clock and I put her to cooking dinner - biscuits and
muffins. They left about a qr. to 2 in their car and I went
with them to town. Got my hair cut. The 2 hens hatched
16 & 11=27 for both; that beats the incubators we had. I
walked back except about 100 yds. Brot a pk. of potatoes home
from Mr. J.C. Swindell's. Got a letter from Neppie inclosing
five Kodak pictures in which she figures as one.
5th
Friday. Fair. Warm. Mr. Mann came in this P.M.
and we made a coop for a chicken - hen; he sent one up by Asa this
P.M.
6th Saturday.
Fair. Cooler. Took my bath this aft. 3-4 P.M. Messrs.
Grant, Mann, & Tunnell,
and Miss Annie Watson came just as I finished bathing, before I
had put on any clothes. A fire is raging to the south of us, and
hands are being secured to help fight fire. God spare our property,
and that of others. Several hands here. The brush-pile around the
house, was fired and they are still (9-45) pouring water on the
fire. Miss Annie and Mildred cooked supper. Mr. Joe Swindell, Mr.
Leon Harris, Mr. Mann, ate supper with us. Several hands left before
night. Fire, I hope, is controlled.
7th Sunday.
Fair. I walked
to town to S.S., met my class; went to the Baptist Church with Mamie;
went to dinner with her. John brot. Us all out here in his car;
Found a force of hands, on the back fighting and setting fire. Mrs.
Mann and Miss Annie I found cooking supper again.
8th Monday.
Fair. I
retired, last night, at 1-5 A.M. and Mr. Mann and Wilbur Swindell
came in some later. A force is here again, this m. putting out the
ground-fire. 9-40 P.M. The fire is said to be under control. I sure
hope it is.
9th Tuesday.
Fair. 12,
O’clock-fire across the road from the house, but wind seems
favorable for the house.
10th
Wednesday. Hands
still fighting ground-fire.
11th Thursday.
Fair. Had a
bad night with my back &c. [etc.] Rode to town and back with Arthur Graham
Watson (boy). Paid 10¢ for the round trip which was an extra one in
part. He lives in town. Fire is yet burning the ground to the east
of us, for a distance.
12th Friday.
Cloudy. Had
rain about 3 to 4, last night, I am glad to say. The ground
fire-needs more rain. Children of
Oxford Orphanage are probably
giving their annual entertainment, in town tonight. I not able to
go to it. Hands have been here this P.M. working on the ground
fire.
13th Saturday.
Partly cloudy during the day. Took bath after 4 P.M. Wrote
to Ab. Berry for someone to come for me, in the morning, as I am not
able to take the walk to S.S. He replied he would come for me about
9 or 9-30. Very kind in him, indeed. John Berry put up a screen-door
for me at the kitchen door-outside. He made no charges. Mamie and
the children came with him: she swept two rooms for me: I did not
feel like sweeping.
14th. Sunday.
Fair. I walked
toward town, a short distance, and met Abb. coming for me: got in
and rode to the Church. Conducted my class work; stayed for service
by the pastor-Grant: went to dinner with Bro. Chas. A. Jones: about 4
P.M. I went to Mamie’s, and they were about ready to take Mrs.
Jerome Jarvice [Polly Anna (Harris) Jarvis] and Marina home: Emma Spencer
[Emma (Tunnell) Spencer] (Efron’s wife) [James
Ephron Spencer] and
Mildred also went, and so did I: there were only ten (10) in the
auto-car, including children and babies. We had a good outing
in the country. Returning, I went to Grant's After supper
there we all went to the "Children's Day Service at our Church.
They all did well. I returned with Grant and family and to
spend the night. I had arranged with Mr. Mason to stay off
tonight; he staying at the house. This is my first night away from
them since the begining?.
15th Monday.
Fair this morning. Grant bro’t me home : Elizabeth and Minnie came with us. While in town (on
Sunday) I learned of a sad affair that occurred there. Walter
Spencer, a young lawyer, made a cowardly attack on bro.[sic] Grant:
it shows Spencer up in a bad light. It is too much to record here.
It may go to the court next week. It is cloudy, this evening, and a
light rain has fallen: more needed. 11-8 P.M. Having good showers.
Been sitting up to get both barrels filled with rain-water; afraid
to wait lest it clears off.
16th Tuesday.
Good rains last night; a heavy rain today. Mr.
Will Harris came in; little Jack Watson was with him. Have had
sunshine this P.M. Thundering this evening some.
17th Wednesday.
Fair, cooler. Rain last night. I
rode to town with Mr. Gatling Bridgeman; rode back with
Mr. Jno.
Lee. I went to see Mamie a few minutes. Mrs. Cecil Harris
[Eula Ree (Berry) Harris] and Myra
(8) came in to see me this P.M. I was glad to see them.
18th Thursday.
Cloudy most all day. Not much to record. I got a setting
of eggs from Mrs. Milton Credle [Aleph Evelyn (Watson)
Credle] and set a hen.
19th Friday.
Fair this m. Rain and lightning last night. I walked
to town. Dinner at Mamie’s. At the C.H., the case of the lawyer
Spencer came up (see May 15th). I attended. Spencer submitted and
plead guilty. After some evidence, the case of amicable. I hope,
settled, and he and Grant shook hands. Mrs. Sam Weston
[Sarah Lucy (Boomer) Weston] kindly
offered to bring me home, and I gladly accepted, as I am sick.
20th Saturday.
Fair. Mecklenburg Declaration Day in
Charlotte and a big day it was, I suppose. President Wilson was to be
there and give an address. Would like to have been there. I
have swept my house and out houses; took my bath and a shave, all
before night; and I am glad of it, certainly.
21st Sunday.
Fair except partial clouds. Qr.
Conf. at Soule’s Church yesterday: service there today: am
expecting to go with John [Madison] Berry, my son-in-law. Not coming at time apt’d. I walked to
C.C. Cahoon’s and waited some time; walked on
toward town, rode in surrey with Mr. Alec. Berry to town, and met
John just starting - 10-25 A.M. We got to Soule’s in time for
service. Rev. C. L. Read, the P.E. preached a splendid sermon on
progressiveness. Ate dinner at Maj. Fisher’s - my first time there.
Efron Spencer, his wife and child who came with us stopt there also.
John and Mamie went to Mr. Holderby’s. I walked over there after
3 P.M. We all went to Mr. John Berry’s Sr. stayed a while, ate
supper and came on home. Mrs.
Berry gave me some
clabber. The P.E. preaches in Swan Qr. tonight. I did not go to it.
22d Monday.
Cloudy early, clearing later. Court in
town today; Judge Oliver H. Allen presiding. I rode with a young man
I did not know. I heard a part of the judge’s charge. I rode back
with Mr. Albin Swindell, about noon. It was cool this m. 52°
about 6 a.m. Cloudy this P.M. and a sprinkle.
23d Tuesday. Nothing
to record. Raining more or less - 8 P.M.
24th Wednesday.
Cloudy, cool wind. Drizzling rain this evg.
25th Thursday.
Cloudy. Hugh Swindell bro’t Myrtle & Margaret to stay with me while he was
looking after their hogs in the back lot. They stayed until nearly
2 o’clock. I had but little for dinner, but divided with the
girls. I rode most all of the way to town with Cecil Harris
and Mr. Albin Swindell. Rode back with a young O'Neal to Mr.
Joe Swindell's, I got out, and after staying awhile 2? in the wagon
with Hugh and Myrtle Margaret and Julian Harris; H.
[Hugh] was bringing a
trough and corn for the hogs. The weather has been fair and
pleasant today.
26th Friday.
Fair. Mamie came this P.M., left her car at turn to the new
road. I went back with her via the Credle road to town.
Emma Spencer and her Mildred were with M. [Mamie]
& her children. Mamie brot me back to the same place I got in, as she could not turn
around.
27th Saturday.
Partly cloudy. Faired off. This afternoon I took
my bath, put on my summer underclothes. It is now (9-45 P.M.)
Thundering and lightning from the N.W.
28th Sunday.
Partly cloudy. Later clearing. I walked to Sunday
School. Attended service in Baptist Church; ate dinner at W.B.
Swidell's [William Benners Swindell] - 1st time in six months. Returning afoot. I
stopt at Milton Credle's, J.C. Swindell's and C.C. Cahoon's.
Mr. S. [Swindell] walked along with me. Mr. Mann did not come today.
29th Monday.
Partly cloudy again. I started to town and I walked over a 3/4
m. when Dr Windley overtook me, and I rode with him.
Went to Mamie's: she went to Mrs. Ephron Spencer's and got
some clabber for me in my qt. bucket. I went over there for a
few minutes. Bot some supplies and walked home.
30th Tuesday.
Partly cloudy some more. Thunder clouds showers and sunshine.
This being Federal Decoration Day, we had no mail bro't. to us on
the R.F.D's. Frequent showers, and some heavy ones this
afternoon & night.
31st.
Wednesday - Same - Partly Cloudy. Cecil Harris brot me
some home-made butter this m. as a present. Thanks! The
day has been clearer and pleasant since early morn.
