Winslow Maine Crosby Diary
January Through March 1900
Transcribed from the original handwritten diary of Elizabeth B. Hinds Crosby by her Great Grandson Clyde Spaulding
Jan 1900
1st
Cloudy cold morn, began to snow little before noon, snows hard this eve & wind blows. E in woods Ned got horses shod. L helped K wash. school did not
keep, so Mary & Ruth helped about work. N has'nt been up. I have mended little , but find it dont amount to much. O how I miss H my best Earthly friend Good
night
2nd
Pleasant morn, clouded up towards night, in eve snowed little. E said a
foot fell last night in woods, but wind blew & it drifted. I found it
quite cold while hanging out clothes Dr in, N little better. E & L in woods. Ned went to
Mills & got saw mended & filed. I washed dishes & mended
3rd Clear
bright day but quite cold. Eddie in woods. L had head ache. Ned churned, then hauled some water,
& then got up little wood. K done work & see to N & Baby. N got up about 3, sit up till after tea hope
she wont get cold. I have done little as usual - dont feel very spunky will go to bed
4th Very
cold morn, 19 below Zero, some cloudy, little sunshine Men in woods. N got up after children went to school sit
up rest of day, Dr in about noon. K cooked as usual. I mended little. dont feel
very spunky
5th
Cloudy most all day. Men in woods.Ned & L got up wood N has been up all
day. Mary at home K washed
little & cooked & to night she & Ned gone to Grange Miss Atwood
called Mary Rufus & Stevie gone to C E meeting. Fannie Hunt called I was glad to see her or any one
Jan" 6 Sunshine & clouds. Men in woods. Ned & L got up
some wood. K has cooked & washed floors think she is tired N has taken care of Baby & sewed. I
mended & patched mittens
7th
First Sabbath in the year. How many that were living a year ago have passed
over the river, while our family remains unbroken. but we know not of the
morrow. May I be ready should I be called.
Mr Wms & wife called on their way home. K & some of children went. Eddie
has quite a cold, been hoarse, is some better. F came up went back to night
8th
Quite a cold day. Men in woods. K & L washed N took care of Baby & mended, so
did I Rufus staid at home has some cold.
while building fire in my room how much I thought of H who is at Rest. May
I live "Nearer my God to thee"
9th Nice
day for men in woods, some of the children have colds. Rethel did'nt go to school, little croupy last night. I dressed Butter & ironed little K cooked.
I have thought of Sue good deal to day, should like to see her
10th Sun shone little then cloudy, spit snow, but this eve stars shine. Men in woods. L had head ache K done work & she & her mother finished ironing. I mended Stevies Mary & teacher gone to Reading Club. I have a cold must go to bed
Letter from G Hunt 11th Jan" 1900
Moccasins ---------- 13
Letter from Sue 13th +
Butter & letter to G Hunt 16
11th
Bright, quite cold. Eddie went to the mill with first Pulp Mr Wood killed a Beef creature & a Pig
Pd him 1.50 K done work N
mended. I did also, E's Pants & socks.
The Ladies cleaned the Church K did'nt go as Mrs Wms told her she would go
for her. children have colds
12th
Cloudy with little sun, snowed last night little Eddie in forenoon, cut up
3/4 of his Beef cuts the other this eve.
cut up Pig last eve. Ned went with 2 loads Pulp in forenoon E 1, afternoon 3 loads apiece K
& N done work while I mended & swept my room. Ralph not well did'nt
go to school saw in Paper that Dr Field of Bangor was dead
13th
Nice warm day. E & N went with Pulp in forenoon then Ned & L hauled
5 hogsheads water & put in Cistern E went with 3 loads
Ruth 9 yrs old to day in afternoon. K
has cooked most all day & washed floors. M helped. N mended & took care of Baby I
dressed Butter & put up some for Old T & mended
14th
Another warm day, water dropped from eaves. 7 children went to Church. Frank came up about 1 PM, had tooth ache stopped to Dentist. had his teeth filled. must will go to bed as I coughed so much last night,
did'nt sleep well how I miss H when I am not well. all alone
15th
Nice day to wash. L helped K & Mary staid at home. I did'nt want to help as I have a bad cold .
coughed good deal last night, did'nt sleep well, got up at 1/2 past 4. I
coughed so hard, made my head ache. I have mended some E hauled logs. N yarded Pulp. It's very lonely alone will go to bed
16th
Snowed all the forenoon, then cleared off. girls cooked I mended Ned &
K carried Butter to Depot & to night Ned, K, Mary & Stevie gone down to Mr Wms
silver wedding. Jo Reed & G Eames went with hayrack on sled with 4
horses will go to bed write more next time
17th
Fair but little cooler, 21 went on sled last night about 250 there. had supper in Chapel. Kate, Mabel H, Jo Reed & Bert & Frank were waiters from Benton. Mr Jones & wife from Norridgewock were there,
they were at the wedding 25 yrs ago. Mr French over. K said they left $150 in Cash knives & forks & spoons, Silver Soup Ladle
& a nice couch I am glad. E
& Ned been six trips apiece with Pulp, think they all want to go to bed Nellies neck is quite stiff K went to Watt" to see Dr & get some medicine this afternoon Eddie Rufus & Ruth went out last eve to Mr Bellows got some apples
18th Snowed little E & N went 6 trips apiece. girls cooked & are fixing Mince Meat. I ironed in forenoon then washed dress & apron & stockings. Hattie Hodges coming down stairs fell 2 or 3 steps & hurt her hip few days ago. Children said to day she could'nt get out of her chair alone
Letter from Rufus 23rd
Jan 1900
19th
Nice warm day. girls cooked, put up mince meat & little of everything. I
have eater 3 meals, made socks for E & mended hose. have not felt like doing much.
did'nt sleep well last night coughed very hard, was very lonely;
No H to get any thing for me O how I miss him when I'm not well & all alone, when I dont sleep K went down to
see Hattie, she is very lame, thinks she took little cold
20th
Cloudy all day, rained after dinner so men did'nt work in woods L cleaned Hen house
Ned got his horses shod - dressed Butter & mended K & Mary
cooked & done work. N took care of Baby & mended. Rufus went in Cars to K Mills. took
dinner at Mr Blakneys, went to get shoes mended lonesome day to me
21st
Snowed early in morn but cleared off, wind blew Eddie & 6 children went
to church not many out as traveling is bad. Hattie H had Dr to cay, he says
she hurt the Sciatic Nerve. she has taken her bed E was down to night. Mr Wms & wife took tea with us. he
told me that Mr & Mrs Dinsmore had silver wedding 13th, S S Class & they left 50 dollars
22nd
Nice day. & K & L had a large wash; N done work. I have mended
& patched mittens most all day & see to Baby. Eddie hauled logs & N yarded Pulp & wood. good
night
23rd
Another nice day. Men in woods. girls cooked & made a kettle of mince meat. I have
mended & thought of loved ones on the other shore, who are waiting to welcome me
24th
Nice day but cooler Eddie & Ned got their Ice from pond in Benton Ellis cut it , they got 50 cakes gave $1.00
girls done work & ironed. this eve K & Stevie gone to
reading Club. I have mended & patched stockings & mittens
25th
Cloudy, snowed some & after dinner began to rain K done work. Nell had headache, so did L in forenoon I
have mended. A house burned yesterday up on the great river road, and
an old man was in it by the name of
26th
Rained this morn, then snowed, wind blew hard. does this eve L churned . I dressed butter & mended. E
says it snows hard & wind blows hard & I must go to bed K cut her a
print wrapper
27th Cold morn, little warmer in afternoon E hauled logs Ned yarded. N & Mary done work. K sewed on her wrapper I have mended. Brother Asher came this afternoon I have'nt seen him in 20 yrs. he has changed, as well as myself. Nett is at Watt. Ned & K gone up to Mr Eastmans to a party Sat" night, my prayer is "Nearer my God to thee"
Letter from Amanda 29th
" " Joan L 30th Jan 1900
Sent letters to Sue & Joan 1st
got letter
from Asenath 1st
28th
Nice day, not quite as cold. 6 children went to Church. A Mr Hood came with
Mr Wms . he spoke on Church
building in west. F came up, gone back to night last week he got something in his eye. it
was quite bad so he did'nt work 1/2 day K heard that Roscoe Heywoods wife was sick in bed, that Mrs Fuller (her mother)
has had a shock, & they had'nt told Mrs H I am quite tired will go to
bed
29th
Rained hard most all day, colder to night, wind blows girls washed white
clothes & stockings. I mended & talked with Asher. he was going to Watt, but it was so stormy did'nt
Ned got colt shod in forenoon, then E got Perhaps shod as it is very icy. hope
no one will fall
30th
Nice day. clothes dry & most of them in. N went to Watt this morn. E hauled logs. Ned yarded & went with 2 loads I made little sacque for Baby & wrote to
Sue or partly will go to bed
31st It
has rained little & this eve snows hard Men in woods.
Alfen Simpson buried to day mJennings, agent for Fertilizer dined here. I have been writing to Sue & Joan L am tired must go to bed
Feb 1900
1st
Bright quite cold, some windy. E & Ned went 4 trips to Paper Mill. girls cooked & finished Ironing. I
have mended hose & mittens & seen to milk & hens good night
2nd
Candalmas day. Clear, bright cold day stars shine this eve & cold
several degrees below Zero. K Mary & Stevie gone to C E meeting. E
& N 4 trips. farther to haul. girls cooked & washed floors I swept my room &
mended, but feel tired
3rd Cold
morn 11 below Zero. Kate went to Watt got N & Nett I have'nt seen her for 27 yrs she has changed.
I sewed on Sack for Baby. girls done work. E hauled logs. my eyes ache must go to bed. heard they did'nt think
James Roundy would live
4th
Stormy, snowed & this eve almost rains. K, Stevie & Mary went to
church, Amos Hinds in this eve. Eddie
& N called up to J Roundys. how much I have thought H to day. 43 yrs ago to day Asher & Nett were married in Bangor by Dr Field who died a
few weeks ago. what changes! will go to bed
5th
Rained when we got up, about 10 am began to snow & has snowed & blowed hard all day. K & L washed white
clothes & socks. I mended. It has been a lonely day to me have thought how Hanes would enjoy N's visit if living. Moon shines bright this eve but wind blows. Good night
Feb 1900
6th
Sunshine & stormy. girls finished washing. I hung out clothes, washed
some dishes & mended. E & N yarded Pulp & wood old Perhaps stepped on his ankle & cut it, so E did'nt work him
7th Nice
bright day & a beautiful eve. Eddie & Ned went with Pulp. girls
done work & sewed. I mended Asher seems to enjoy his visit, but is not very well to day. 8th Nice day but little cloudy
to night. E hauled pulp in forenoon then carried Asher & wife to Watt,
then went 1 load Mr Brann called, so did Fannie Hunt. Nell called down to
Hattie Hodges to night she is round the house some
9th
Stormy, first rain, then snow, but E & Ned been 4 trips to the mill. think
they will be wet. Stevie helped about the churning. I mended. Nell & Mary done
work. K sewed on girls aprons. G
Hodges cut boys hair
10th
Beautiful day, cleared off last night. E & Ned been 4 loads apiece. C T came to day, he has been getting up wood.
girls done work. I mended Ned's coat, one that was Hanes & how
often I thought of him: after
dinner K went to K Mills
11th
Snowed little in forenoon. E, Nell & 6 children went to church it has been a long day to me K,
M, Stevie & Rufus gone this eve. I often think how many times H & I
have gone
12th
Cloudy morn, quite warm. girls washed & I hung out clothes & mended
mittens & leggings. K sewed on her under waists E & Ned yarded
Pulp, went to mill twice: O for more grace
13th a
very very rainy day. E & L cleaned out hen house. N ironed some & cooked K sewed
on her waists & I mended as usual It is very icy. Frank is 24 yrs old
to day. It seems like a dream; what
changes It has been a lonely day
14th
Clear windy uncomfortable day. so men say. very icy Eddie says heavy freshet. water very high, Could'nt saw down in Lancasters mill. water over Intervale. K sewed I
mended. N & Mary done work & this eve, which is a beautiful one.(as Katie used to say, too pretty to stay in the
house) Eddie wife, Ruth,
Rufus, Stevie & Libbens have gone to the hall to sociable
15th
Nice day. E & N yarded wood. water very high, all over the
Intervale. Ice gone from here. I mended mended hose & mittens. K sewed, so did N what time they got. heard
that James Roundy was dead must go to bed
16th
Another beautiful day. it snowed just a little last night. Men worked on their bridge to clear Ice away
girls done work & sewed. I mended. Ned & K gone to Grange
17th Nice bright day. Men in woods. Stevie & his mother went out to Mrs Sears this morn, got home before dark. I dressed Butter & mended. girls done work & took care of Baby, he was very good. I must go to bed. I feel tired
Letter from Sue 19th also Calender from Linton
sent Letter to Rufus 19
Letter from Joan 24
Feb 1900
18th It
has snowed & clouded all day, the most severe storm this winter. No meeting. I
have read & written to Rufus & Hinds. It has been a long day to me. most 8 will go to bed
19th Nice day to dry clothed, all in. girls
& L washed; I hung them out then mended pants for twins. Men been at
work on ice at bridge In afternoon Ned went with team on snow plow. Mr Roundy buried to day not yesterday as it stormed so hard; glad to hear from Sue wish I could see her
20th
Beautiful day. E & Ned went with Pulp, but E went over to K Mills in
afternoon, Mr Wms called K
sewed on a dress for Ruth N & Mary done work & ironed some I mended Eddies Pants & Overalls Just
at night who should come in but Asher. I was glad to see him. It is late must go to bed I thought
how much Hanes would enjoy A's visit
21st
Sunshine & clouds. Eddie & Ned went 3 trips to mill then repaired
their Sleds. I finished Ruth's dress skirt then mended. Wm Garland called. Teacher was in. K called to Hattie's & Albert's then finished Ruth's dress.
N & Mary done work. It is quite warm to night
22nd
Cloudy morn spit snow at times in forenoon. E & Ned went with wood
& Pulp to the mill. after dinner E went to Watt got Nett. before they got home it snowed very hard. I
mended. K got Mary's waist done. N
& Mary done work or part of it. I washed dinner dishes & M mended
pants. heard Mr Fish was sick. will
go to bed
23rd
Sunshine & clouds Men in woods, girls done work & sewed. K, Mary & Rufus gone to
C E meeting. I mended It looks like rain, quite warm
24th
Beautiful day. Men in woods. K cooked. N &M helped I mended, knit & washed some dishes. after
dinner K started for Shawmut, to Mr Richmond's. I feel tired will go to bed
25th
Rained hard when I got up& did till most noon then it F came up before noon - went back to night
snowed. None
went to Church, saw Mr Wms go by It
has been a long day to me
26th
Windy cold day. Ned hauled 4 loads wood to the mill. Eddie carried Nett up
to Mrs Pipers then in woods. one of his horses lame - Nell & L washed. I hung them out K got home about 4
PM I have done little of everything. wind blows hard this eve,
sounds lonesome, will go to bed
27th
Beautiful forenoon, then clouded up. E hauled logs. Ned
been cold morn 12 below Zero wood to the mill K finished N's waist. N & M done work& N ironed some. I mended & took care of Butter .
Asher seems to enjoy himself
Feb 1900
28th
Nice forenoon. Asher & K went to Watt in Cars. A came back to night. K stopped. N & M done work
& N washed some colored clothes. E hauled logs, Ned wood. - I have
mended, also took care of milk & hens, but I feel tired did'nt sleep very well last night
March
1st It
has snowed & blowed all day. this eve it comes against the window like
sleet, wind blows very hard. E hauled logs in forenoon & Ned went 2
loads to mill. E has quite a cold. N
& M done work. I mended mittens & socks. how lonely it sounds will go to bed
if not to sleep good night
2nd
Stormy day, rained then snowed. Men worked on road some & broke their own road. N & M cooked. I mended hose &&&
3rd Nice
bright day: we have peculiar weather. Men in woods. K got home about noon. Nell & M done work
I churned & mended. think all are tired, at least I am
4th
Another nice day, although we had a little snow squall in afternoon Eddie & 4 children went to Church. C
Piper brought Martha Lunt 76 yrs old to day
Nett down this eve.
Stevie has a bad cold. F came up
E & N carried him up & called to Annies
5th Nice day to wash. girls washed. after dinner K & Mabel Hodges went round little to see what they could get towards carpet for church 6th Snowy day. E & N got 2 loads at the door Ned went to K Mills. K sewed on her waist - Nett sewed -Nell & M done work & ironed. I mended