Archive Record
Metadata
Title |
Sarah Eliza Ward diary |
Collection |
ADKX Library: Manuscript Collection |
Object Name |
Manuscript |
Scope & Content |
Diary of daily life kept by Sarah Eliza Ward (nee Liddle), who lived in Johnsburg, New York with her husband Nicholas, a farmer. Her brief entries note the coming and goings of family members; visits to others in the community and visitors to their farm; local births, illnesses, accidents, and deaths including the death of her daughter Mary in April 1880 and her mother in May 1885; attendance at church and funerals as well as camp or "grove" meetings; household chores such as sewing, quilting, churning butter, and cleaning; errands to obtain food and other supplies; and the welfare of the cows and calves. Sarah remarks on seasonal recreational and agricultural activities in the community such as sleighing, haying, thrashing, "pealing barke" [i.e. peeling bark], and sheep shearing. Contains notes on the weather, particularly on the Sabbath. She also writes about her husband's work on the farm - plowing, hewing, stacking wood - and Nick going to work at "Oregon" [i.e. Oregon tannery]. The "free methadus" [i.e. Methodist] camp meetings were often held at Riverside [later renamed Riparus]. Sarah occasionally notes the name of the preacher giving the sermon. In an entry summarizing the year 1880, Sarah notes "dipthery [i.e. diphtheria] prevales fearfully." Sarah also mentions "going to the factory" to purchase shoes, hats, dresses, and cotton cloth in several of her entries. In addition, there are notes on various people "going to lawsuit." |
Call Number |
MS 20-003 |
Catalog Number |
2009.078.0017 |
Creator |
Ward, Sarah Eliza, 1835-1909 |
Year Range from |
1871 |
Year Range to |
1887 |
Dates of Creation |
1871 - 1887 |
Extent of Description |
1 diary; 28 leaves with paper covers, some sheets bound in sewn signatures, others loose. |
Search Terms |
Ward, Sarah Eliza, 1835-1909--Diaries. Diaries--New York (State)--Adirondack Mountains--Warren County--Johnsburg. Farmers' spouses--New York (State)--Warren County--Johnsburg. Johnsburg (N.Y.)--History. |
Access Conditions |
Access to this collection is unrestricted |
Copyrights |
Fair use copy permitted for research, study, or investigational purposes citing the Adirondack Experience. Any other use requires written permission. Preferred Citation: Sarah Eliza Ward diary, MS 20-003, Adirondack Experience Library, Blue Mountain Lake, NY |
Credit line |
Gift of Richard Stewart |