1870 – Sarah “Carrie”
Carrie Atwood
Westford, Mass.
Saturday, January 1, 1870.
It is a beautiful day for the new Year to commence on.
Calvin + the boys have gone to Alonzo Reed’s
Sunday 2
It rains very hard today. Father is the only one that goes to church.
Mr. Dunning preached.
Monday 3
Mr. Whitman has told us today that we have got to write compositions for Friday.
Tuesday January 4, 1870.
Ella Reed & Miss Parker were in school a few minutes. Mrs. Livermore lectures tonight. I wanted to go very much, but couldn’t.
Wednesday 5
Mr. Dunning’s 26th birthday. The circle met at Abbie Wright’s. I went in the morning, had a very good time. Willie came home to stay.
Friday, January 7, 1870.
Willie went over to get Eddie but lost the way and Ed walked home. Carrie W. & Ella called in the evening. Ed went home with them.
Saturday 8
I was cooking all day. Father was going to carry me up to the sing but it snowed so we didn’t go. Ella Hildreth came home.
Sunday 9
It is the first pleasant Sunday we have had for a long time.
Wednesday 12
Mother and Father were going to Pelham today but it rained so they thought they would wait til next week.
Thursday, January 13, 1870.
It rained in the afternoon so I stayed over night with Ellen Cummins. Anna called for us to go to the Social but we didn’t go.
Friday 14
It was very cold today. I went to the circle at Mr. Patten’s in the evening. Had a pretty good time.
Saturday 15
Snowed today. Ella Hildreth has gone back to Groton. Helen is worse.
Sunday, January 16, 1870.
We went to church in the morning but the minister did not come so we went over to the Unitarian.
Monday 17
The girls carried Eddie over and Willie went to the depot for Boston and Arlington. Rained hard in the afternoon.
Tuesday 18
Ellen Cummings 17th birthday. Mother & Father went to Pelham. Willie came home, lecture tonight.
Thursday 20
Clara and Jennie wanted me to stay with them and go to the sociable but I didn’t want to. Father and Mother came.
Friday 21
I got dismissed at recess because I didn’t have a piece. [maybe the composition referred to earlier?-scs]
Saturday, January 22, 1870.
Eddie came home this afternoon and Mr. Porter came with him. Mrs. Stone went away of course but she returned.
Sunday 23
It was rainy in the morning but pleasant at night. I went to church in the forenoon. Ed and Porter went to the other church in the morning.
Thursday 27
I have got a bad sore throat.
Friday, January 28, 1870.
The Circle met at our house, some of the girls came home from school with me. Ellen stayed over night. There were a good many here.
Saturday 29
Ellen stayed all day today. It snowed all day.
Sunday 30
Mr. Vohees [??] preached, liked him much better than expected. The church wasn’t very full because it was so snowy.
Monday, January 31, 1870.
Rode to school with Captain Smith.
Sunday 13
Mr. Trask of Fitchburg preached and gave a temperance lecture in the evening. I didn’t like him much.
Tuesday, February 15, 1870.
Ellie and I went over to Harvard this afternoon. We went into Ed’s school and took tea at Mr.L’s. Then went to a concert in the evening. We liked it ever so much. It snowed all the way home. We got home at about 1 ½ in the morning. Miss Whitcomb was there.
Friday, February 18, 1870.
Ed’s school closed today. Mother was going over but it rained so she couldn’t Ellie went and brought Ed home.
Saturday 19
Ed thought some of going to Hanover today, but Mother couldn’t get his clothes ready. We went to the circle at Mrs. Day’s in the eve.
Monday, February 21, 1870.
Ed didn’t go away today as we went down to Ella Reed’s. The Cutter boys, Clara Smith and the Reeds were there. We didn’t get home till after 11.
Tuesday 22
We were invited over to Mrs. Cutter’s this morning, but Eddie didn’t feel like going so I couldn’t. school didn’t keep.
Wednesday 23
Ed went away this morning. Mrs. Alpheus Reed was here this afternoon.
Saturday 26
The Circle was at Mrs. Whipler’s. I didn’t go as I wasn’t very well.
Sunday, February 27, 1870.
We had a real good minister. His name is Dutton.
Tuesday, March 1
We got our first letter from Ed today. he is all alone as Abbot hasn’t got back.
Friday 4
Emily Fletcher, Miss White’s sister and a Miss Fisher of Boston were in school and I had to speak.
Saturday, March 5, 1870.
Ella Hildreth was expected home today but she didn’t come. Annie Wood went home with Jennie yesterday.
Sunday 6
Mr. Dunning preached is not going to preach for a number of Sundays. Carrie Burice was there. Emily Addams came with the Heywoods.
Tuesday, March 8, 1870.
School closed in 2 weeks and I shall be very glad. Mrs. Flagg spent the day at our house and Mr. Flagg came to tea.
Wednesday 9
Mrs. Smith & Mrs. Hewill spent the afternoon with Mrs. Pearlton and Mr. Smith came to tea.
Tuesday 22
School closed today. There were a good many in, didn’t have a very good examination.
Saturday, April 2, 1870.
Anna Dow has got a little kouf [??].
Monday 11
Father went over to Pelham and is going from there to Methuen and Bradford. The Academy commenced today. Lillie goes.
Tuesday 12
Minnie Webster teaches school in No.W.
Wednesday, April 13, 1870.
Father came home tonight and brought Aunt Hibberd with him.
Saturday, April 16, 1870.
Mother went to Lowell today and they carried Aunt Hibberd down with them. Mother got me a new dress.
Wednesday 20
Anna Dow is going to Chicago, so her father is going. Lilly is poorly. Maybe I could have it.
Saturday 23
Mary’s 10th birthday. She had a party of about 12. Alice Cutler says that Eddie went to Lowell to work last Monday.
Sunday 24
Went to church all day. “Goggles” preached. Mrs. Cacteo was there in the afternoon.
Monday, April 25, 1870.
Ira Ellis came up tonight to let us know that Aunt is dead. Died this morning.
Tuesday 26
Ella Hildreth came home tonight. She is sick. Ira went away this morning.
Wednesday 27
Got a letter from Ed. today. He is spending part of his vacation at Suncook [?] with Jennie.
Saturday May 28, 1870.
Mr. Louis Hildreth is down here. Mother is going to stay with Ella tonight.
Sunday 29
Ella had her hair cut today. It troubled her.
Monday 30
Ella is worse today. She has got her bed moved into the parlor ; has not been dressed
Tuesday, May 31, 1870.
Ella has given up all hopes of ever being well again so I guess she won’t live long. ??? Came home tonight.
Thursday, June 9, 1870.
Ella is a good deal better it seems as if she might get well again.
Monday 13
Ella is worse today.
Tuesday 14
Ella died this evening at about ½ past 9. Mother was with them when she died. O how we shall miss her!
Wednesday, June 15, 1870.
Ella died just 7 weeks.