Below is a transcript of the whole diary with my annotations along the side. If I was unsure of a word, I used the * symbol. I always kept the spelling that she used. Many of the people are explained in Abby’s The People page, but many of them were impossible to find.
Guy Condon
So. Penobscot
Maine
For Identification
My name is: Guy Condon
My Address is: So. Penobscot Me.
In case of accident or serious illness please notify:
S B. Condons son
Penobscot me
Things to be remembered
The make is my Bicycle is: Cloumbia
The number on the case of my Watch is: 1999727
The number of the works is: 4902990
My weight was: 71lb
On 1903
And my height: 4 feet 5 inches
January 1
20% below this morning. Snow storm, no church, very cold and bleak day.
January 2
20% below this morning. Grew warmer towards myths*. Mrs. Little feetd in in the evening. Busy all day selling with the *** (knitters?).
January 3
Started for Altamonte. Blanche took us to Bucks pm. Cloudy morning. Cleared pleasant. Left Bucksport at 6:15. Road all night
January 4
In Boston all day. Took dinner with Mr. B at the Adams House. Left 6 pm for N.Y.
January 5
Crossed the city took train for Washington at 7:50. Arrived at 2:42. Left at 5pm for Jacksonville. Rainy. Have seen no sun since we left home.
January 6
Rode until 3pm through N. + S. Carolina + Georgia. Stopped at Jacksonville all night.
January 7
Arrived at Altamonte at 2:45. Car met us and took us to the cottage. Built fire in the fireplace. Mr Savays* came over and we settle down for winter.
January 8
Bright fine warm morning. Can this be Jan we ask? Wrote to Guy.
January 9
Very warm day. Parasols all out. Sun very hot.
January 10
Very warm all A.M. Cloudy at noon. No letters yet. Had baked beans for supper.
January 11
Carl been fishing and gunning. No luck. Mr Fogg called, steak and sweet potatoes for supper.
January 12
Foggy and chilly today. Carl gone to Lake Jessop
January 13
Foggy morning, sunny at noon.
January 14
Finished my napkins. Carl went to Orlando. Mrs. S sent me some lovely roses.
January 15
Bright warm day. Carl and I went to walk
January 16
Washed today. Fine warm day.
January 17
Dull + chilly had to build fire in fire place. Commenced to rain and rained nearly all day. Brainard put in his rci* today. Had some letters today
January 18
Thunderstorms rained all P.M.
January 19
Clear and coldest morning we have had. Needed a quilt last night.
January 20
Colder. First day we have had to keep a fire. Working on my suy*
January 21
Cold enough for fire indoors, but warm outside to sit out. All folks in Penobscot sick with guppe*. Get letters every day now.
January 22
Fine day. Went over to Hall today in eve. Had letters from B. + Mrs. Snow
January 23
Rainstorm today. Dull and lonesome.
January 24
Bright sun morning but clouded and rained nearly all day. No letters today. Very lonesome.
January 25
Bright sun morning. Commenced to rain about 9 P.M.
January 26
Rained all night still raining at hard it 8 P.M. Letters from B and Grace
January 27
Went to Orlando. Cold ride home in the evening.
January 28
Bright sun this morning. Warm out of doors.
January 29
Warm today. Mrs. S brought us some oranges
January 30
Nice day. Made cookies work on my cushions. Had letter from B.
January 31
Fine morning turned to rain. Rained hard turned to thunder and lightening.
February 1
Some cloudy, but quite pleasant. We went over to Hotel to dinner.
(pencil drawing of a goal? Probably done by Guy)
February 2
Mrs S + Mrs Kerr* called. Work on head rest. C + I alone in the eve. Long and quiet.
February 3
Fine day. Beautiful sunset. Carl went to Longwood.
February 4
Mr and Mrs Foss* took me to rule* and then home with them. Carl went to cake walk dance. 81 in shade
February 5
Fine breeze and pleasant. C + I went to walk. It has been a long warm day.
February 6
Had letters from B + G. Mr B did not write home.
February 7
Quite high wind today and warm
February 8
Freeze came tonight. 37 when we went to bed.
February 9
No sleep last night. Fires are set in all the stoves. Change from 81 to 28 in few hours.
February 10
Cold day, hover over the stove in this open house. Trees all frozen, flowers all gone
Februray 11
Warmer. Miss L + Sadie came. We played Legimundy*
February 12
Got six letters from Penobscot today. Heavy thunder storm and rained hard.
February 13
Yesterday the ther stood 80, today 20. Snowed little and blew hurricane all night
Februray 14
Letter from B. Bicycles came very cold this morning. Kept fire all day. Long and lonesome day.
February 15
Cold raw wind, no sleep last night. No letters today
Februray 16
Rained hard all night. Bright sun this morning. Three lady callers today.
February 17
Nice morning. Wrote to Grace.
February 18
No letters today. Rained all day and night. Long lonesome day.
Februray 19
Very nice day. Carl went to Palm Springs and Martin* Park. Had letter from B.
February 20
Another fine day. Wrote four letters. Commenced to take supper at Hotel.
February 21
Fine morning. Wrote three letters, re’d three. Rained at night
Februray 22
Thunder + lightening and still rains hard. Another long long day.
February 23
Carl helped Mr. S. Pleasant today and warm.
February 24
Pleasant. Little colder. Callers at night.
February 25
Pleasant with fine breeze. Mardell got hurt today.
February 26
Warm day looks the same. Got letters from home.
February 27
Very warm + sunny. Showers in P.M.
Februray 28
Pleasant all day and very warm
March 1
Mar is here. Glad am I. Fine warm day
March 2
Went over to Mrs Nolans. Three mile walk. Fine day. Letters from Grace and Mrs. Dunbar.
March 3
Fine perfect day. Very warm + sunny. Mrs. Nolan gave me ride to Palm Beach + Sulphur Springs
March 4
Perfect day. Nice breeze very warm
March 5
Shower this morning. Now it rains hard with thunder
March 6
Packed trunk for home. Pleasant with high winds. **aids night.
March 7
Left Altamonte for home.
March 8
Stopped in Jacksonville all night sick. Left for W. at 8PM
March 9
Arrived in W at 11:30 sick and tired. Glad was I to get inside Mrs. Babson hospitable doors.
March 10
In house all day in bed
March 11
Sat up little but very weak and tired.
March 12
High wind. In house all day but am better.
March 13
Went out on short ride today but came home very tired.
March 14
Cloudy and chilly. Very much better
March 15
Hard rain storm. In house all day.
March 16
Mrs Babson and I went sight-seeing all day. Company in the evening.
March 17
Left for N.Y. arrived there about 6 PM. Stopped at Dr. Grindles
March 18
Cold stormy day. Windsor Hotel burns here yesterday, many burned.
March 19
Stayed nearly all day in house. No sunday here.
March 20
Left for Boston at 10 A.M. Had fine ride in cars. San Miles in same train. Depot crowded. Went to Quncy* at night.
March 21
Cold. Bought goods until 4 PM. Went to Plymouth. Emma and I alone in evening.
March 22
Went with Emma to an afternoon s**ciable in a pouring rain storm.
March 23
Went to H. School Eul*- very good. Heard a fine reader.
March 24
At Emm’s. Went to church supper and enlightenment colned* methodist church.
March 25
At Emma’s. Had two teeth filled. Had whist in the evening.
March 26
Went to church in eve. Rained and snowed all day.
March 27
Left Plymouth this morning. Cold and w***. Shopped all day
March 28
Stopped at Frank Milens last night. Buy goods today. Cold and disagreeable day. Down to Quncy* at night.
March 29
Snow + rain in morning. Jule + I went to see Aunt Ruth P.M. Terrible high winds.
March 30
High wind. Went to ride with Frank M with his fast horse. Played hearts with Sadie, Frank, and Mrs. b in eve.
March 31
In city most all day. Fin up. Took train at 7:45 at Union sta for home.
April 1
Blanchard met me in Bucksport. Came on train. Got home about 1 P.M. Snow squall morning abut cleared off pleasant. Found all right at home and glad to get here.
April 2
Did not go to church. Did not feel like it. Pleasant day. Girls called in at night to see me. Mary, Grace and Sue C.
April 3
Opening and marking goods. Cold and backward for the season. Brainard and Grace helped.
April 4
Opening and marking goods
April 5
Opening and marking goods
April 6
Brainard went to B- after freight. Blanche on wood. Opening goods. Pleasant day. Grace + H cleaning house.
April 7
Quite nice day. Grace and Harriet cleaning house. In store all day. Boys around the store. working on mitts part of the day.
April 8
Quiet for Sunday. What should have been today. Snow turned to rain and rained hard all day. No customers.
April 9
Ground white with snow this morning, turned to rain and rained hard. Clear pleasant. Went to church a S.S. good to get back and see familiar faces.
April 10
Nor gone to Belfast. Pleasant. Sue went to Boston. B carried her to Castine. Carl got home in the evening. Grace + H cleaning house. Blanche on wood pile + selling hens.
April 11
Fine clear morning. Brainard in shop. Called on Mrs. Peluson*. Pleasant all day. Grace and Harriet cleaning house. Blanche doing chores.
April 12
Another bright nice day. Nor gone to B after freight. Brainard in shop. Girls cleaning house. Looks like snow. Got the pig.
April 13
Ground covered with snow. Now at 9 A.M. clearing. Blanche on wood pile, B in shop. Raised the **ite first time. Quite high wind.
April 14
Lovely bright clear day, but quite cool. Brainard in shop and Carl. Nor up on the farm. Ice* left Bangor about the 10th of this month.
April 15
Rained last night. Lovely day. Blanche hauling away brush. Very warm. B went to Mal* Brooksville. Quite busy in the shop.
April 16
Very fine morning but clouded and quite cold and raw all day. Went to C + S.C. Bossy came today from sell heifer. We shall raise it. Looks like snow. Sowed sweet peas in house.
April 17
Cold raw morning. Looks like snow a little. Did not storm. Blanche work in hen house. Girls washed. I hunt* an any*** mitt.
April 18
Pleasant with high wind. This will dry up the mud. Boys all in the shop. Blanche hauling away brush. Sowed celery seed.
April 19
Pleasant. Sue came home. Nor went to Brooksville after hats. Meeting tonight to see if Mr. Morse is to stay. Voted no.
April 20
Pleasant. Cleaned store. Blanche washed store floor. Girls cleaned dining room. Full shop all day. Hats good.
April 21
Looked like storm but cleared. Blanche pitching over potatoes. Brainard in the store. Working on mitts.
April 22
Fine bright day. Planted peas in yard. Busy in shop. Very fine day. Cow went to George Snowman.
April 23
Pleasant. Went to church + S.S. Brainard carried Harriet home. Dry we need rain, a good warm rain storm.
April 24
Pleasant morning. We have quite cold nights. Blanchard picking racks down in pasture field. Nor went to West Brooksville.
April 25
Pleasant- no rain. Blanche planted the 6 week potatoes behind old shed. Brainard went to Blue hill. Quite busy in the store. Tulips and crocuses up.
April 26
Shower this morning but cleared early not much rain. Very pleasant warm day. 1st chickens came today. 12 from the hens. Went to circle. Paid my dues.
April 27
Sunny bright morning. Boys down in lower field to work. Work in my garden in P.M.
April 28
Pleasant. Blanche fixing my garden round house. Mr. Williams came home last night. Guy rather sick tonight. Busy in hats.
April 29
Fine pleasant morning. Guy better. Brainard gone to Blue hill. Blanche doing chores. Very warm day.
April 30
Pleasant and dry. We need rain. Mr. Morse last Sunday his text Bege* reconciled to God. Very hot day.
May 1
Another dry smokey day. Fire are raging in Aroostook Co. Haydscret* burn yesterday. Boys farming up in upper neighborhood. Looks like rain tonight.
May 2
Shower in the night. Showers some today and cloudy. Brainard w**ding. Blanche chnering*. Very busy in the store. H. Perkins in town. Had first greens Sunday.
May 3
Rained last night and colder. Greens for dinner. Cleaning store. Sold the old buttons all out.
May 4
Cold last night, down to 28 but fine morning. Pleasant day. Paper says today we have had the warmest April for 30 years. Brainard in shop. Blanche round house.
May 5
Arthur Grindle helping the boys down in the pasture. Cold night. Nearing frost but fine day. Called round to see Mrs. Adiline*. (next 2 words are illegible) come to the bay.
May 6
Fine nice pleasant day. We have such nice days but cold nights. Boys planting down in the Joastine* peas and potatoes . Mrs. Snow came last night.
May 7
Mrs. Allen + J. came up. Mr. Morse preached. Quite high wind but pleasant. Went *** Frank’s in evening.
May 8
Pleasant high winds this P.M. Brainard went to Bucksport. Busy in hats. Ice cream social at the church 6:15.
May 9
Capt. Pelesin* + crew went today to fit out*. Ed Jeff plowing for Brainard up to old place breaking up. Dry and quite pleasant, dull in the store today.
May 10
Warm dry morning. Brainard went to Bluehill. Blanche round house. Very dry weather. Need rain so much.
May 11
Warm dry day, no rain. Boys up on old place farming. Did not plant any.
May 12
Brainard went to Bucksport. Blanche work on trees. Slight showers in A.M. but not enough to wet the ground. Pleasant at night.
May 13
Very sunny bright morning. Rain is so much needed. Sold 16 hats today. Elmer Roberts broke his arm. Plowed the garden, Geo Slaptes* plowed it.
May 14
High wind in P.M. Sunday S at 2:30. No church. Mr. Morse gone. Sue + Persy called. Mr. Wm Perkins and U*ule Richard very low. Jay Perkins came yesterday.
May 15
Dry and cold. Boys preparing ground for potatoes up in upper farm. Fine in the store all day. Cold windy day and dry
May 16
Boys planting potatoes up on old place. Susan Jones and Clyde to dinner. Quite cold and windy. Grace + B went to Laura C tonight.
May 17
Boys planting beans today. Planted some about a week ago. Will Gray gone to Baryn*. They are moving into the new house. Planted some beans and squash.
May 18
Boys planting down in the beans, squash, sweet corn and got garden ready for vegetables.
May 19
Boys finished planting today. Fine drizzling rain. Hope it will do some good.
May 20
Drought is broken and let’s us return thanks. Rained all night and is a rainy day. Rained all day.
May 21
Rained all day. No church or S.S. Phebe and Frank in. Long day. Rankus* Capt. P crew home.
May 22
Wind N.E. but sun trying to shine. Capt. P crew left this morning. Wm Perkins died last night at 9. Blanchard gone home to help his father plant. Very cold and bleak. Brainard went Brooks.
May 23
Heavy frost last night. Wm Perkins buried today. Local Union* at B. Lizzie + Nor went. Set out my asparagus plants. Brainard went to Blue hill and Carl up in Leach district. Pleasant.
May 24
Fine pleasant day. Quite warm. Nor Brooksville, Carl round bay. Brainard at Buchsport. Busy in shop. Had letters from Ella S. + Emma Cali last night.
May 25
Cold night. Heavy frost last night. Nor gone to W. B. after fright. Brainard went to Blackile. Busy in hats. Very fine day but little cold.
May 26
This is a perfect day. Warmer. Corn is up, also potatoes, beans up a week. Grace, Guy, and Brainard went Sargentville tonight. Miss Mayo here last night. Terrible voice.
May 27
Dull, cools like sas*. Planted cucumbers last night. Set out few geraniums. Joe Bill came up and milked. Uncle Richard did the afternoon.
May 28
Rainy Sunday, did not go to church or S. School. Miss Mayo here. Grace + B. got home from S. about 6 P.M.
May 29
Cold night, heavy frost. No apple blossoms. Pleasant day and quite warm. Mo Nichols buried today. Boys serny*
May 30
Rained in A.M. cleared off. Warm in afternoon. Brainard went trouting. Caught 8. Had letter from Paul. Work on mitts. Sue went up to dinner.
May 31
Cows put in Arthurs May 29th, two of them. Fine pleasant morning. Carl + B work in shop. Busy in shop. Very nice day but wind blows quite hard.
June 1
Blanchard came back. Brainard gone to W Brooksville after freight. Warm beautiful day. Rain is needed again. Set out my dahlias. Blanche hauling manure up on farm.
June 2
Very warm day. Brainard went to Brooksville. Grace cleaning plant room. Blanchard hauling manure from Capt. Perkins up on farm.
June 3
Warm pleasant day. Blanche finishing hauling manure. Gertie Allen and Herbert Perkins up. Went to church to the bay. Heard Mr Day preaching elder very good sermon.
June 4
Rained this morning. Much needed. Went to church at home + bay. Wrote Sat for Sunday, made a mistake.
June 5
Showery but cleared away, hot. Blanch set out tomatoes and geraniums. Brainard in shop.
June 6
Brainard gone to Blue hill. Slight shower this morning. Now at 10 A.M. very hot. Colder at noon + at night. Quite cold with a squall. Home in the eve.
June 7
Foggy but cleared off without rain. Went to Castine the ride home. Long to be remembered. Dark as pitch and 4 hours arriving*.
June 8
Worked in the garden. B + B getting in wood, nearly finished it. Rained some last night. Got home at 2 A.M. last night.
June 9
Cloudy. Johnson and Owen painting and whitewashing the rink. Cloudy day. B gone to wharf, brought a salmon this morning. Gust’s girls come up today.
June 10
Beautiful morning. Johnson and Owen working in rink. Blanche string the corn. Carl went to Brooksville. Johnson finished the rink.
June 11
Another pleasant day. German measles breaking out. Miss Mayo preached. Had S.S. concert in the evening.
June 12
Pleasant. We need rain so much. Blanche killing squash bulp* and dinner chores. Brainard, Carl working in the rink.
June 13
No rain. Grass looks slim. Everything is drying up. We need rain so much. Planted cucumbers and peas and lettuce today.
June 14
Dry and warm. If rain would only come. Hauling freight from the vessel, corn and feed. Sch. Robert Pettis.
June 15
Lovely shower last night. Wind came last and still some this A.M. looks like more rain. Hope it will come, good lot of it. Set out celery plants today. Damp fine rain all day.
June 16
Cloudy drizzling rain all day. Another thunder shower last night and rained in torrents. Brainard + Otis S. gone fishing to pond. Caught two salmon.
June 17
Cleared off this morning. Brainard went to Bucksport. Nor to Brooksville. Blanche doing chores. Busy in the shop.
June 18
Mr. Morse preached. Grace and I went. Very fine day. Quite cool at night. Had to build a fire. Garden looks slim.
June 19
Blanche planting the garden over. Brainard lame with a boil. Pleasant day, not very warm. We have no hot days yet.
June 20
Sarah + Lill came + went to Brooksville. Brainard went to Blue hill. Quite high wind and pleasant- dull in the store.
June 21
Lovely shower last night. Wind came back. Circle met in store. Agitated* hall question. Brainard went fishing (no fish) came off cold at night.
June 22
Quite cold this morning but fine and lovely breeze. Got in bbl* flour this A.M. May L came to board last Monday. B in the shop. Blanche got load of sawdust + c.
June 23
Another bright sunny day. G Batsen commenced work on this L + stable. Looks like rain and is cold. Had to build fire in store. Buy *** potatoes in old place.
June 24
Cleared off, did not rain much. Put calf up in Frank’s pasture this morning.
June 25
Went to Brooksville. Carried Laura* Bowden and Lottie. Looks like showers but we got none. Came back to Mr. Allens and stopped all night.
June 26
Fine warm day. Got home about 11 A.M. called to see Mrs. Batson. Brainard went down off Castine fishing.
June 27
Play to the bay tonight. Nearly all the cove went. Pleasant day. I did not go. B picked about 12 pds strawberries today. Working on barn.
June 28
Mill Guy commenced Monday to lay barn floor. Will finish tomorrow. Brainard, Blanche helping in barn. Quite cold for the season.
June 29
Cold. Frost up to the mill. Almost sci* on brussels*. Brainard + Geo Bowden went to Yodely pond. No fish came back.
June 30
Brainard in rink. Blanche + Ben cleaning up where they fixed barn. B picked 8 boxes strawberries off his vines today. Very cold tonight.
July 1
Warmer some but a cold night. Brainard gone for eggs. Blanche ch***ing. Frank working on side walk.
July 2
Mr. Morse preached his last sermon. Quite high wind but pleasant.
July 3
Mr. Morse moved away today. Boys work around the house. Pressing buys + c ---
July 4
Grace went on picnic down to Mills Point. Brainard haying all day. Got all the hay in the orchard. Had some fireworks and a crowd in the eve. Green peas for dinner.
July 5
Quite warm. Brainard went to Bucksport for freight. Guy and I started for Brooklin. Stopped to Mr. Allen’s all night.
July 6
Went to Brooklin this morning. Went fishing. Foggy and a thunder storm in the afternoon. Met with lots of strangers at the colleges.
July 7
Came up to S Brooksville and called on Harriet and George. Got home about 4 P.M. tired and sick. Mrs Sprayre sent me some medicine.
July 8
Some berries at the store. Brainard selling quite a lot of strawberries.
July 9
Surry* minister preached. Harriet Allen here. Rained in morning. Cleared about noon. Had dizzy head and did not go to church.
July 10
We have pickles, about 70 boxes of strawberries off the vines. Have had all we wanted this year.
July 11
Work on mitts. Dull weather. Plenty of peas now and new potatoes but the potatoes are poor.
July 12
Commenced mowing down in the field. Had meeting tonight to see if to repair the old church for a hall. Voted to do so.
July 13
Thick foggy and dull. Not clear for the day. Did not open the hay. Will Gray commenced on fixing the old church today (5 loads in). Brainard went to Yoddy* pond. Caught a h**ult.
July 14
Pleasant. Did not get to work on old church until today. Mowing in the field. Got in two loads lumber. Will G hauled some.
July 15
Joe Gray came to work this morning. Got in five loads hay today. Fine day. Commenced in earnest on hall today.
July 16
No church. Good attendance* to S.S. Clouded in P.M. and rained little. Went to church in evening.
July 17
Rained some last night and still cloudy. Cloudy all day. Boys went up and pulled potato buys.
July 18
Cleared this morning. Looks like good hay day.
July 19
Fred Mitchell working. Fine hay day. Got in 6 loads of beautiful hay.
July 20
Fine hay day. Finished home field and mowed field down to Mr. Nichols. Fred Mitchell worked. Will Gray left today to hay.
July 21
Rainy morning. One load of hay out. Thunder this morning and heavy shower. Will G Not at work today.
July 22
Lousy bad day. Quite a lot of hay out. Brainard went to Bucksport after yarn. Had enlistment at school. H got 10.80.
July 23
Will went to ** this M. People improved the nice day in getting in hay. We had nine out, but Frank got in some. No church, but good S. School.
July 24
Fine hay day. Boys went up to the old farm and cut down all above the stream. Got about five loads. Fred M Helped. Three of them.
July 25
Nice morning. Got in five loads of hay on old place. Commenced to rain about 4 P.M. and rained all night. 2 load hay down.
July 26
4 men from Portland boarding to Genu’s*. Rained until 3:30 and seems to be clearing. Fred commenced to work on old church today.
July 27
Fred Mitchill helping get the hay. Raspberries + blueberries are plenty. No apples.
July 28
Finished cutting down hay today. Rained hard last night but fine today.
July 29
Finished haying today. B + B helped Ernest Perkins get in his hay today.
July 30
Rained until about noon. No church. Helen came today. Went to bay concert in the evening.
July 31
Pleasant but cool. Blanchard went home haying this morning. Brainard round house.
August 1
Fine morning. Brainard round house. Last two turkeys. Blackberries are getting ripe.
August 2
Very fine day. Carl gone to Masons. Grace + May went to the dance last night. No sleep until 2 A.M. Feel wretched today. Brainard went Yodely Pond.
August 3
Brainard gone all night. Fine, nice day. B got home about dark. Got one salmon. Foggy some, but dry. No rain.
August 4
John Allen came up with Capt Snow. Brainard and Portland* by went fishing, no luck. Some foggy but no rain.
August 5
Will Gray gone all day. Fred Wight gone ½ day. Very pleasant. Busy in shop on mittens.
August 6
Pleasant. Went to bay church. Accident at Bar Harbor today on excursion train. John went home today.
August 7
J.P. thrown from his wheel yesterday. Brainard round house. Busy on mitts. Accident at Bar Harbor yesterday.
August 8
Brainard and boys round store. B went to Blue hill after mitts. Dry and pleasant. Rather cold last night and cold today.
August 9
Brainard carried Guy + Grace to Sedgewick today. Got back about 3. Went into the meadow. Mr W**cott + William’s in town getting hay.
August 10
Very dry and dusty. Got home with loads of meadow hay. Rained very little. Put some in barn up on old place.
August 11
Millin* Tibbett’s called. Foggy days but no rain.
August 12
Busy on mitts. Brainard went out here after *** cods*. Carl went to Brooksville yarn mitts.
August 13
Pleasant but foggy. S.S. few out superintendent’s place and led C.E. in the evening.
August 14
Blanchard came back this morning. Boys cutting hay up at old place. Cleared off fogg this morning.
August 15
Boys got home one load last night and four today. Bright nice day. J.P. no better. Dr has very little hope. Big cyclone and deluge on Cura.
August 16
Went to Field Day to Mr Nortins*. Met many old friends. Blanchard hauling Alice Smith’s manure down in the field.
August 17
Dry dusty and warm. We need rain so much. Blanchard finishing the Smith manure this forenoon. Brainard gone to Brooklin fishing.
August 18
O for some rain. Dust is fearful. Went to Chas Perkin’s house to hear Mr La March. Good time and lot there.
August 19
Blanch hauling saw dust. Dry hot and dusty today and very warm.
August 20
Very hot. Went to S.S. *oli** to send for Mr Drew. Brainard came home with 19 fish.
August 21
Dry and hot and so dusty. Blanche at home helping his father. Shingles old church. 5 gave work. Mellie, Percy, Brainard, Fred, + Will.
August 22
The last few days hottest for the year. 90 up to Franks yesterday. Cooler this morning.
August 23
Rained last night and welcome it came. Put old cow back in Arthur’s pasture Friday the 25.
August 24
Another *u*t*ey died making I in all and I alone
Bossy came today.
August 25
Blanchard + B killed chickens. Hauled sand + c. Need more rain.
August 26
Got heifer home from Matt Leach Thursday the 24. Pulled some beans and started making cucumber pickles.
August 27
A lovely day. A perfect day. Went to S.S and church in eve.
August 28
Another beautiful morning. Made strawberry bed. Young folk getting up a play.
August 29
Rained little last night, but not much. Cooked chickens. Cleaning store. Blanche is helping. Boys setting out strawberry plants.
August 30
Pleasant, but some fogg. Blanche work on strawberry plants. Brainard round the store.
August 31
Blanche + Brainard went to Baryns* farm. Got home about 10 P.M. Pleasant day.
September 1
(blank)
September 2
Clearing away to cut through to make office. Boys doing up fall work.
September 3
Pleasant. No church. Went to S.S. and conference. Cold tonight.
September 4
Frost in most places last night. My flowers not killed. Boys digging potatoes this P.M. old place. Heavy thunder shower last night.
September 5
Boys digging potatoes old place. Grace working on hall curtain. Working on mitts.
September 6
Rained last night. Quite high wind today but fine eve.
(Looks like different handwriting in bottom right corner- Battle***?)
September 7
Did not rain enough to do any good. Boys pulling beans. Got fine lot.
September 8
Pulling up beans and cutting corn. Very dry. No frost yet.
September 9
Work up to new hall on screens. Got it most done. Pulling in wood up to Hall.
September 10
Very nice day. No church. Very dry. Everything panching* up warm. Mary Jane + James here.
September 11
Pleasant. Blanche hauling rocks.
September 12
Work up to hall on curtain. Warm + dry.
September 13
Warm and dry. Brainard oiling* new hall. Blanche doing up fall work. Association at Sedgwick.
September 14
Cold and cloudy. B work in forenoon oiling* hall. Busy doing up fall work. Getting in plants + c.
September 15
Threshed some beans and gathering crops.
September 16
Work on Hall scenery. Guy had his birthday party. Warm and dry. No frost yet.
September 17
Went to S.S. and bay to church and evening meeting. Very warm and fine. If we could have some rain it would be lovely weather.
September 18
Very dry. Wells giving out. Bay people hauling water. Brainard at Hall all day. Blanche got colt shod and getting in beans.
September 19
Blue hill fair. Nor + B went. Still dry and warm.
September 20
Welcome rain came last night and rained all day today. Work on new office.
September 21
Finished office this morning. We all went to the fair today. Fine A.M. Clouded and rained tonight. Mrs B + Mr M up.
September 22
Rained last night but clear this morning and colder. J.P. over. Brainard went to fair three days. Horse dropped dead on the track.
September 23
Pleasant. Very busy on mitts. J.P. here. Gathering corn and other things in field.
September 24
Heavy frost last night. Mr Drews preached his last sermon. We called it good. He has decided to come. Gertrude + Herbert here.
September 25
All the flowers are dead. J.P. + B plowing up on the farm. Pleasant day.
September 26
Calcamining and painting the new office and working on mitts.
September 27
Rained last night hard, but it is so dry. Rain does not make much impression on the earth.
September 28
Too dry to plow. Need more rain. Quite cold.
September 29
Fixing up the new office. Blanch hauling manure down in the field. J.P. here.
September 30
Cleaned store A.M. Went down to George’s in P.M. Mrs Babson went with me. Burnet* How fearfully.
October 1
Came home from Mrs Babson’s. Very high wind and cold. Did not go out for the day after I got home. Guy was with me + we were nearly frozen.
October 2
Brainard sick. Prince* and J.P. plowed on the farm. Broke up two pieces. Dr Wardwell came to B. Snow squall. First of the season.
October 3
Blanch hauling manure up on farm. Brainard quite sick. Had Dr Steward* today. Busy on mitts. Up all night with B.
October 4
Blanche putting dressing on the new plowed ground. J.P. goes home today. Very raw and cold. Made out statements this A.M.
October 5
Left for Boston. Blanche took Sue and I to Castine. Took Frank Jones for Portland.
October 6
Stopping in Portland and bought coal and groceries + c. Got into Boston at 1 P.M. in a rain storm. Went directly to Quincy.
October 7
Went to Plymouth at night. Sent home care* dry goods today. Pleasant. Sue and I been shopping all day.
October 8
Rained nearly all day. Did not go to church.
October 9
Another rainy day. Did not go to Boston. Wrote home. Went to see “Temperance Town” in the evening.
October 10
Came up from Plymouth and was in city all day. Bought my boots and shoes, mens wear and went to Quincy at night.
October 11
Bought goods A.M. Went P.M. to see “Away Down East.” Fine play. Denman Thompson’s play. Sue and a lady from Lyon went with us. Foggy.
October 12
Met Sue. Bought millmings*. Met Helen and Gertie Beal. Came out to Quincy at night. Sent piano for the Hall. Home for night.
October 13
Went to thist* party last night. Scored 23 points. Shall leave for home tonight via Portland Frank Jones. Warm and pleasant morning.
October 14
(in pencil, Guy’s handwriting)
G r
$21.26 $11.01
$8.92. 1605
$2.40 2706
$32.58
October 15
(blank)
October 16
(Possible third writer)
Drove Brown Cow over to Martin Leach
Little Black Heifer will come in on 8th
October 17
(in pencil)
1355
250
1605
(Blank until…)
November 3
(Possible third writer)
Played Me + Otis second time at hall. Had a crowded house. Great Sharkey + Jeffries prize fight takes place today.
November 4
(Guy’s writing, hard to read)
It was awful hot November 4. Brd* and horda* and ted and we went to find old prince.
November 5
(Guy’s writing)
It rained nov. 5. It rained most all of day. It cleared of about 4 oclock in afternoon. Tea and *** and played cards.
November 6
(Guy’s writing)
It cleared the next morning. It grew very cold and windy about middle of night. It was very cold and windy.
November 7
Mr Drew came about this time. Not sure of the day.
November 8
(blank)
November 9
Diary was lost and many things omitted. Brainard has plowed a large piece in the home field behind Will Grey’s and quite a piece on old place.
November 10
(blank)
November 11
(Possible third writer)
Went gunning and shot 2 partridges for chicken supper. Very cold and looks like snow.
November 12
This snow storm. No church. Stormed all day and high wind.
November 13
(blank)
November 14
(Possible third writer)
Have on hand now 6 turkeys, shall keep 5 turkeys through the winter.
November 15
(Possible third writer)
Had chicken supper up to hall. Got 17.20
November 16
(Guy’s writing)
I expect to go to school this morning. Thank mame* sperry* go to beach.
November 17
(Possible third writer)
Old yellow cow dropped a nice heifer calf today. We shall raise it.
November 18
(Possible third writer)
Went gunning in P.M. Shot 1 partridge on wing. Phonograph Entertainment in Hall. About 40 were there.
November 19
Mr Drew’s first sermon and it was a fine one. Good crowd out.
November 20
(blank)
November 21
(Guy’s line drawing of something… a fence?)
November 22
(Possible third writer)
Blanchard commenced chopping wood on Turner lot today.
November 23
(Guy’s writing)
We Began school this morning. Lide* Perkins is going to teach our school. I think I will like her very much. Course I shal have to get use to her.
November 24
(Possible third writer)
Went to Blue hill after mittens. Pleasant + cold.
November 25
(blank)
November 26
(Possible third writer)
Went to church. Quite a good crowd present.
November 27
(blank)
November 28
(blank)
November 29
Sue finished up on huts*. Sick this morning.
November 30
Thanksgiving day. Brainard went gunning. Blanche went to Brooksville to get wheat ground. Looks like snow.
December 1
(Possible third writer)
Wind East quite raw. Sam Leach came down and we ran line on Turner lot. Rains hard this evening.
December 2
(Possible third writer)
Rained all A.M. Wind came wind N.W. this P.M. Went gunning a little while. Shot 1 rabbit.
December 3
(Possible third writer)
Pleasant and warm. All hands went to church. A very large crowd was present. J.P. and Harriet were over.
December 4
(Possible third writer)
Rain storm this morn. Churned 15 lbs butter today. At work in store getting ready for xmas. Cleared off cold tonight. Went gunning little while. Got 3 rabbits.
December 5
(Possible third writer)
Wind N.W. + pretty cold. Sam Leach Blanche + I work running line on Turner lot between Jervitt Grindal lot + ours.
December 6
(Possible third writer)
Sam Leach, Blanch, + I commenced to run line on Hinckley lot. Worked in the woods till dark. Got home about 7 oclock.
December 7
(Possible third writer)
Snowed a little last night. Finished surveying Hinckley lot today. Got through early.
December 8
(Possible third writer)
At work in shop all day. Graphophone entertainment up in hall this eve. Proceeds $9.25
December 9
(Possible third writer)
Pleasant + cold. Worked in shop all A.M. In P.M. went up on old place and cut a load of grey birch for the store.
December 10
(Possible third writer)
Pleasant this A.M. All went to church. Read down in office all P.M.
(Guy’s scribbles)
December 11
(Possible third writer)
Overcast and warm. Wind S.W. Frank Staples + Charles Henry are in on Turner lot chopping today.
December 12
(Possible third writer)
Overcast and warm. At work in shop till 3 P.M. then went to see how they are coming on.
December 13
(blank)
December 14
Blanche in woods. Brainard got two rabbits at night. Quite nice day. Gathered the celery.
December 15
(First three words are illegible) and rain storm. **** hay from lower farm.
December 16
(Blank)
December 17
(Guy’s writing)
Went skating tonight. Was windy.
December 18
(Possible third writer)
Got first order for sample today. All sick. Nor + I went after rabbits and shot 40. Led old cow today.
December 19
(Possible third writer)
At work in store selling xmas goods. Are very busy now every day.
December 20-22
(Blank)
December 23
(Possible third writer)
Had xmas tree over to Carls. All had a good time and lots of presents.
December 24
(Possible third writer)
Clear this A.M. All went to church. A good crowd was present. Mr + Mrs Allen came over at night.
December 25
(Possible third writer)
Washed black heifer to kill lice in forenoon. Went gunning in P.M. Mr + Mrs Allen went home today.
December 26
(Possible third writer)
Went in woods this P.M. for first time. It snowed 2 inches last night and made it nasty in woods.
December 27
(Possible third writer)
Went in woods today on Turner lot cutting fire wood. Broke my ax. Finished chopping scrub spruce today. Clear + cold.
December 28
(Possible third writer)
Clear + cold- 4 below zero. I went in woods today. Work stopped today. Have got about 35 loads of fire wood chopped. Want 25 more.
December 29
(Possible third writer)
At work in shop all day putting out samples and weighing yarn. Spits snow some now 3 P.M. Wind north.
December 30
(Possible third writer)
Fa** all day. Weighing yarn and stashing samples—Blanch in woods.
December 31
(Guy’s writing)
Went to church. Good crowd.
Inside cover
Blanchard Roberts (1875-1977) is a friend and employee of Abby’s. Read more about him on Abby’s People page.
Carl Grindle (1868-1933) is Abby’s nephew. Read more about him on Abby’s People page.
She often calls her son Brainard “B”
Snow (along with Allen, Gray, Perkins, Grindle, and Condon) is a common surname in Penobscot. Hard to know which she means.
Brainard and Grace
This must be the name of a game, but I can’t find anything about it.
This is the first mention of Emma. There are Emma’s that are related to Abby, but this Emma lives in Plymouth. Not sure who this might be.
Ruth Grindle (1817-?) was Abby aunt on her father’s side.
Grace is Abby’s daughter-in-law. Harriet, I think, is Abby’s step-mother.
She is back to work in the shop right away!
“S.S.” means Sunday School
Norris Grindle (1870-1947) is Abby’s nephew. Read more about him on Abby’s People page.
This is the preacher. She clearly wanted him out! She remarks later about his last day preaching too
As always, her handwriting is hard to read, but I’m pretty sure this is right. I looked in old newspapers to find anything about fires in Aroostook County, but couldn’t ind anything.
Maybe Grace’s parents, Jasper (1838-1907) and Adelia (1844-1919)
William Nash Perkins (1818-1899) is a farmer in Penobscot. He was married to Phebe Ann (1829-1895) and they had 8 children. Jay Perkins (1864-1947) is William’s youngest son.
Franklin Grindle (1835-1905) is Abby’s brother, Phebe (Littlefield, 1837-1923) is his wife, and they are the parents of Carl and Norris.
Blanche’s father was Newell Roberts (1842-1919) and he was a farmer. Married to Jane (Turner, 1846-1897).
Lizzie (Varnum, 1864-1922) was Norris’ wife. They had 7 children together.
I’m not sure who Uncle Richard is… there is no Uncle Richard on either side of Abby’s family or Benjamin’s. Perhaps it is a term of endearment?
Herbert Perkins (1880-1907) and Gertrude (Allen (1879-1953). They would be married in 1900 and have two daughters. He was a seaman.
She participated in the vote to get rid of him and this is his last day!
Harriet Allen (1884-1954) is Grace’s sister.
Ernest Perkins (1860-1913), William Perkins’ son.
Joseph Perkins (1819-1899) would die from progressive paralysis on September 14th, 1899
I wish that I could read this word because it seems that something important has happened. Oh, Abby and your hand writing!
This is the old church that they voted to turn into a Hall.
She is working on the Hall for the play that the kids are putting on.
This is about the time that Abby is writing less and Guy and the Third Writer begin to take over.