03 May 2009

Justin Albert Skidmore Boyhood Journal

The following journal was provided to me by David Skidmore. He transcribed it from the original. I have transcribed it from his typewritten copy. The original spellings have been preserved. If you have trouble figuring out a word, it helps to try to say what is written out loud. I have proof read it but there may yet be errors. Please feel free to contact me if you have a typed copy of this manuscript and notice errors.

It is interesting to see the work and the play of ten year old boys in the late 1880's.
Justin mentioned a few games that are unfamiliar to me. I wonder if anyone out there in blog land knows what "foot and a half" and "pitch quakes" are. Boys played games that would be more familiar to us. They played at races, they went swimming and boating, hunting and fishing, they played ball and runsheep, they went to the theatre once during the year and one day and school was highlighted by songs and recitations. They played police, which I assume would be a role playing type of activity.

The work responsibilities of young boys was significant. Besides being an errand boy with trips to "Aunt Malinda's" and Post Office, Justin had regular "chores", milked cows, gathered eggs, charred posts (Anyone know why they did this?), weeded, hoed, broke clods, shocked the grain, cleaned potatoes, planted, even helped to tear down the old house. He has a pretty impressive list of work experience for a ten year old.

David includes a brief introduction which is also included here. I have amended David's introduction to include the names of Justin's later wives. The picture is of Justin with Rachel Allen, his second wife.

Justin Albert Skidmore Journal
26 Dec 1884 to 25 Sept 1885

Introduction
Justin Albert Skidmore was born 6 May 1873 in Richmond, Cache County, Utah. He was the surviving twin and third of twelve children born to William Lobark Skidmore and Sarah Armina Knapp. He married Agnes Emoret Stoddard, a girl from his home town, on 21 April 1897 in the Logan Temple. They lived in Richmond until 1905 when they settled Rush Valley in Tooele County with the Bennion family, calling their new town Benmore. They had nine children, one son living only three days while the rest grew to maturity. Agnes Emoret died 19 April 1918. Justin eventually moved to Delta, Utah, where he married Mrs. Rachel Allen in 1927. He had subsequent marriages to Lenora Dillow and Charlotte Cheshire. He finished his days in Salt Lake City as a temple worker. He died 3 May 1955.

He calls this journal his second although no earlier journal has been found at this time (1978). The journal covers the period of 26 Dec. 1884 to 25 Sept 1885. During this time he experiences his twelfth birthday, his sister Malinda is born and his father takes a plural wife. Although no mention of this last event is made. An interesting correlation of these events can be made by a day to day comparison with the journal of his father which is on deposit with the Church Historian’s Office in Salt Lake City.

The journal gives great insight into life in 1885 as seen through the eyes of a twelve year old Bishop’s son in a small northern Utah town. The spelling and punctuation, or lack of it, have been kept and copied as correctly as possible. It is felt that much of the charm of the journal is found there.


Justin A. Skidmore

2th Journal

Richmond

Cache

Co.

Dec 25th

1884


Dec. Fri. 26th 1884

I went up to the store and got 3 yds of calico, 2 spools of thread number 24 and one spool of white number 50 and 2 lbs of raisins and I come home and my father moved to the Tithing Office and Wm my brother drove around the Tithing Office and I ate my dinner and then went after our calf and I found it down on the river and come home and went up to Aunt Malindas and around to the Post office and got the mail and then went down to the coop store and got some gate hinges for the Tithing gate and then dun my chores.

Dec. Sat. 27th 1884

I fed the cows and went up to Bill Thompson’s and he killed our pig and I went down to Uncle Justin’s and got a long line and I ate dinner and Wm my brother shod our hand sled and I dun my chores and went down to the Tithing Office and my father partly made a path and I come home and ate my supper.

Dec Sun 28th 1884

I fed the cows got reddy for Sunday School and C H Monson opened it and MW Merrill talked a few minuts about order and asked how many of the boys was gowing to go out quiot and James Sheperd desmist Sunday School I ate my dinner got reddy for Meeting and Justin Sheperd opened it and Wm Hendricks spoke about different subjects and Present Merrill talked about eateable and about dancing subjective and I come home and sister Tomos and sister Hamp wanted to see my father as useuel and I ate my supper and I dun my chores.

Dec Mon 29th 1884

I went down to the Tithing Offace and made a fire cut some wood went up to the store with my father and then went up to Thomas Griffens and around to the stores and my father fixed up the Tithing Offace I come home and ate my dinner and went up to aunt Malindas to git a sosagae stuffer and I come home and my mother was grinding some meet and I dun my chores and my mother and father stuffed some sosage guts.

Dec Tuesday 30th 84

I dun my chores and my brother Wm Skidmore went to naber and he could get a saw and they was some boys had it and he went up to brother Hyers and he got a saw and we sawed 2 blocks off and we waited a half of a day for John Anderson to catch some caffs and we got theme then I dun my chores and went down to the Tithing Offace and helped my father

Dec Wen 31th 1884

I got my chores and played all the fournoon and my brother killed a rabbit and I went up the Post Offac and I come home and dun my chores and they was 50 head of cattle come up and too men stade to our house all night

Thursday Jan 1th 1885

I fed the stock went with my brothers down to the traps and come home and ate my breakfast then went up to town with Wm my brother and took some chickens around to the poor and I come home and the fokes come down for a visit and they ate dinner and I dranked som beer and I got up to Byrd Harrison store and had to come home and I went up to the dance and danced twice and I come home and dun my chores

Fri Jan 2th 1885

I dun my chore and Wm my brother borrod a saw from brother Monson and I helped to catched some calfs and we sawed one block off from a 3 ft log and sawed another log up all but 2 blocks and I went up the store to git a dance ticket and I come home and dun my chores and got reddy for the danced

Sat Jan 3th 1885

I dun my chores which is feading the cattle and I ate my breakfast and took C H Monsons saw home which we borrod the day befor which was Friday and I come home and took some wood down to the Tithing Offac and made a fire and I come home and my brother went a hunting and I come home and cut some wood and ate my dinner and cut some wood and my brother come back and he killed 2 pigeons and my Uncle Morgan killed 3 ducks and 5 pigeon and he couldent git one of the ducks and he come and he took the 7 pigeons and he give 1 to Justin Knapp and 1 to us and I plade a little while and when my father come home I helped to take cair of the team.

Sun Jan 4th 1885

I done my chores got reddy for sunday school and Wm Keer opened it and T H Merrill talked a little while and John Bornet desmist and come home and wrote in my journal and ate my dinner and went to meeting and brother Rainey give some very good instruction and I come home and don my chores

Mon Jan 5th 1885

I got up and one my chores ate my breakfast got reddy and went to school studied my lessons and come home and went down to the Tithing Offac and got the hay knife and I done my chores and got some excamples

Tue Jan 6th 1885

I done my chores ate my breakfast got reddy for school and recited my lessons and the boys put up the back houses and I come home and went down to the Tithing Offace and come and done my chores

Wen Jan 7th 1885

I don my chores got reddy and went to school and I plaid at noon and when the bell went in the school and I recited my lessons and come home and done my chores and ate my supper

Thu Jan 8th 1885

I got up and done my chores ate my breakfast got reddy and went to school and recited my lessons and at night I come home and done my chores

Fri Jan 9th 1885

I done my chores got reddy and went to school and we didn’t resit my Arithmetic and in the after noon we had a spelling school and the side I was on beet and their was too praizes, red and I desmist school, and come home done my choars.

Sat Jan 10th 1885

I done my chores and it commenced snowing and it was all day and I sawed a little wood and I helped catch some of the Tithing calfs and I come home and I dun my chores

Sun Jan 11th 1885

I done my chores and got reddy for Sunday School and my father told scoloars that they must not tair up their books and I come home and at night I done my chores and went to meeting.

Mon Jan 12th 1885

I got my chores done and wnt to Charles Olsops and I rode up to school a horseback and I done my chores at night

Tues Jan 13th 1885

I fed the stock and then got reddy and went to school and recited my lesson and at noon the boys played police and at night I road home and done my chores

Wen Jan 14th 1885

I got up in the morning done my chores got reddy and went to school and the boys played pleece and at night I come home done my chores

Thu Jan 15th 1885

I done my chores got reddy and went to school recited my lessons and come home and my brother wodent help the others with potatoes and I come home and done my chores

Fri Jan 16th 1885

I done my chores went to school and I dident have any dinner I recited my lessons and at night I come home and done my chores ate my supper and went to meeting and brother Carololia gave some good remarks and then Elder B H Roberts took nearly all of the time he spoke about Jobe and the word of whidsom and Thomas Merrill desmist

Sat Jan 17th 1885

I done my chores and went with my brother Wm went down to the mill and come home and went down to brother Hendrickes mill and come home and done my chores





Sun Jan 18th 1885

I got up and went to sunday school and Wm Merrill tought our class and my brother took us home in the slay and I went to meeting and the brethren give some very good remarks and I come home and ate my supper

Mon Jan 19th 1885

I went to school and recited my lessons and at night I come home fed the cows and horses and I come up to the house and the dog was tairing some cloths and I give him a pounding

Tue Jan 20th 1885

I done my chores got reddy and went to school recited my lessons and I come home and done my chores and then went down to the Tithing Offac and come home and ate my Supper and our hired girl come

Wen Jan 21 1885

I dun my chores and my Father and brother and I went to school and I desmisted school and come home and done my chores

Fri Jan 23th 1885

I done my chores and got reddy and went to school and in the four noon and we had spelling and I refused to resite a resation and we had songs and resations and I come home and went to the theatre

Sat Jan 24th 1885

I cleaned out the stable and beddied it and the pigpen and I helped pack in the wood and went down to the Tithing Offac and go the hay knife and done my chores

Sunday Jan 25 1885

I done my chores and got reddy for Sunday School and it was terable noisy and I come home ate my dinner and went to meeting and my father talked about 20 minutes and then brother Christain spole about a grand panoramana and I come home and done my chores

Mon Jan 26th 1885

I went to school and recited my lessons and I come home and done my chores

Thu Jan 27th 1885

I went to school and at noon they was some boy fighting and I come home and was till moonlight a gitting them done


Wen Jan 28th 1885

I went to school and recited my lesons and at night I went up to Eli Webs to git Harrat Charles Jeorge school Tuition and I come home and done my chores

[pages missing]

Mon Feb 9th 1885

I done my chores got reddy and went to school receited my lesons and come home and done my chores and drawed a map of Europ and got 300%

Tue Feb 10th 1885

I got up in the morening and it had snowed about half a foot and done my chores got reddy and my father took me up to school and S H Bullen desmist school and my father come after me and I done my chores

Wen Feb 11th 1885

I got up in the morening and I had been snowing and I done my chores and my father took me to school and at night I had stay in about 5 minuts and my father came after me and she let me go with gitting 300 hundred words and my Geography and I come and done my chores and I got my words and Geography

Thu Feb 12th 1885

I went to school recited all of my chores and we was writing and my father come after me and I borrod a hay knife and done my chores

Fri Feb 13th

It was storming very heard and I done my chores and went down to the Tithing offac and then went down to the depo with my father and he took a funnel mill there and I got reddy and went to school and it was took up and it was still storming so my father come after me and Charles and me crolled under a quilt and my hat blew of and we stop on the account of that and finely we got home and I got worm, and I bundled up and went out and done my chores and it had slacked up a little and I went down to the Tithing Offace and helped to git some calfs in the barn and I come home and Ch H Monson was here and he showed me his daughter’s picture he red a letter saying she was well and brother Shects come and ate supper with us he come from north and it the storm cominced a little hearder

Sat Feb 14th

I done my chores and I went down to the Tithing Offac and John Anderson gave me a pare of moccisons and went down to depot and I come up home and cleaned out the stable and the pigpen and helped John Olson sharpen his hay knife and got washed all over and done my chores

Sun Feb 15

I went to Sunday School and it was little noisy and I come home anad went to meeting and Henry Hobison spoke about his travle to Arezona the Colorida River was very high and T H Merrill Preached about that which has prophesied

Mon Feb, 16,

I went to school rescited my lessons come home done my chores and helped fill a bed tick

Tue Feb 17th

I done my chores got reddy and went to school and at night my school Teacher told me I hat to write 200 words with 10 letters in for wispern and I come home and done my chores

Wen Feb 18th

I got up a little after 4 o’clock and got some of my lessons and greeced my boots done my chores got reddy and went to school recited my lesons and come home and catched a horse and took caer of him

Thu Feb 19
I done my chores got reddy and went to school recited my lesons done my chores

Fri Feb 20

I done my chores got reddy and come home and Wm. Skidmore and I done my chore




Sat Feb 21th

I done my chores and partly cleaned out the stawl and after my breakfrast I finished it and then cleaned out the pigpen and Thomas Lishman and brother Handson as hole Misheniers come Wm my brother and father halled gravle and done my chores

Sun Feb 22th

I got reddy and went to Sunday school and Thomas Lishmen preached and come home went to meeting and brother Handson spoke and Thomas Lishman spoke and they ate supper and was took too Cove Ville and I done my chores

Mon Feb 23th

I got my chores done and went to school as useal and then recited my lessons and it was very muddy and I come home and plade a little while and went up the the post offace and got a letter and the Deseret Newes

Tue Feb 24

I went to school and recited my lessons and just befor school was out I got a lick acrost my hand and come home and done my chores

Wen Feb 25 and Thu Feb 26th

I went to school and at noon there was nearly all of the boy took after the girls and we had to stay in at recess for dowing so and at Thu Feb 26th 1885 I went to school as useal and at noon I plade foot and a half and in the after noon I recited my lessons

Fri Feb 27th and Sat Feb 28th

I went to school and receited my lessons and at night I started home and I met my father and come home and Saterday Febueary 28th 1885 I cleaned out the pig pens and I went down to Brother Nelsons and I run away down to Brother Webs and plade ball and runsheep and I was very sorry for running a way and I rode up the post offace with George Davis and I got two letters and a paper

Sun Mar 1th

I was purty lay a getting up but my father told me that our had a calf and I though he was a fooling me and as it was inspecked it was so and my Aunt Malinda was nearsing a little baby and come to find out it was my mothers and realy it was a little girl but I went to Sunday school and Brother Burnham spoke to the sunday school but I come home and my brother Charles was taking the grand News around to our relations but I ate my dinner to late to go to meeting

Mon Mar 2th

I went to school and at noon some of the boys stade out a little while to long and she made them take the first Division and they would have to stay in after school and in the after noon there was a young gentleman who is gowing to teach school but I come home done my chores and plade runsheep

Tues Mar 3th

I went to school and my new school master receited nearly all of our after noon lessons and I come home and done my chores

Wen Mar 4th

I went to school and our new teacher taught and I like him purty well and I come home and plade marbel and done my chores

Thu Mar 5th

I done my chores got reddy for school and recited my lesson and the teacher whipped 3 boys for moving a bench and some had to stay in and my brother was with them for lafing then I come home done my chores and my mother was better and still getting better

Fri Mar 6th

I went to school and things went as I expecked and I like my new school teacher purty well and at night I plade foot and a half and then come home and never done any thing mutch the rest of the after noon

Sat Mar 7th

I done my chores and cleaned out the pig pen and I went hunting with my uncle Justin Leronzo Bullen my brother and myself and when we got down to brother Griffens pasture Justin and my self took the horse and went through the N.O. farm Leronzo and my brother follod the river down and they shot 8 shots with moving out of their tracks and uncle Justin killed 2 ducks and one flew up the river and one down so we dident git any of them and finely there – oze 2 ducks come down the river and he shot one but we dident git it and at night Justin and myself rode on the horse but Lorenzo and my brother went up the river and he couldent git it so I come home and my father come from Logen and I helped to take care of the team

Sun Mar 8th

I went to Sunday school and brother Hox which had been on a mission to the Southern and Eastern States which just returned home in the fall he spoke to the Sunday school of latter day sand of Jeas Christ and I come home and fed the pigs there dinner and I went to meeting and brother Hox spoke about his travels of those states and I come home and my father cut the hay for mem so I could feed the cows and I hunted the eggs and got 25

Mon Mar 9th

I got reddy and went to school and Alex Harras gave me some gum and I go all of my lessons purty well except gerogeaphy my school teacher whiped a boy by the name of Orion Griffen which was put nearly crazy and I come home and when we had all of our chores done and supper eatin and studdin their was a stranger come and raped 3 times on the window and my brother said here what are dewing and he wanted the keys to the Tithing Stabels and finely he raped a gain and our hired girl said she wished papa was home he was down to the Tithing Offace and my little brother went and lifted up the window blind and looked at the stranger

Tue Mar 10th

I went to school recited my four noon lessons and at noon I plade ball all noon and my teacher whipped a boy by the name of Walter Monson he got a whipen for the purpose of the one day be fore which was throing mud acrost the room I come home and done my chores

Wen Mar 11th

It was not dripping nor storming I went to school recited my lessons and in the after noon at recess their was 8 are 9 plade the truent and the teacher put their names down on a peace of paper and the next day he keped them in

Thur Mar 12th

I went to school as usual and recited my lesson and plad bal all noon hour and got my lessons purty well and when I heard that my brother had killed a goose and I done my chores

Fri Mar 13th

I went to school and recited my lessons as useal and at noon we had a half a hour but we plaid ball for all of that and in the after noon visitors from the heigh school and some from Logan collage and the school was very noisy and I come home and done my chores
Sat Mar 14th

I cleaned out the pig pen and my brother went a hunting befor day light and when I got the pig pen cleaned out I helped father make a hitching post made a fire burnt the posts carred it up to our small gate helped him put them up and went up the store and got copple of bots 1 ½ inches and my brother come from a hunt and never killed any think I went up to the grass and plade ball a little while and I got my brother Charles ball whitch had got lost a Friday befor so I went up to the post offace and Just as I got their my sister Harrot beat me a little befor and so I come home and my brother William had the tooth ake so bad that he couldent ardly stand it



Sun Mar 15th

I got reddy and went to sunday school and brother Webs class un specked was called to recited the chapter of the bible questions and ancers and brother Write from Odgen and in the afternoon brother Talford spoke which is very old man and brother Burgess addressed the congeration and I come home and my brother and mother still had the tooth ake and I sit near done all the chores

Mon Mar 16th

I went to school and it was raining and I recited my lessons and at night it was raining and got wet nearly through and I done my chores

Tue Mar 17th

I got up in the morng done my chores and went to school and at noon we plade ball and recited my lessons and come home and done my chores

Wen Mar 18th

I went to school and recited my lessons and at night I come home and helped my father put up a step and come in and ate my chores and plade a little

Thur March 19th

I went to school as useal and the sky was clear and the sun shone clearly so at noon I had a game of ball and I was called to order with the bell and at recess their was some plad the truent




Frid March 20th

I went to school and at noon I asked my teacher if I could’en go down to the other school and my teacher said he couldent spair any and at noon their was some scolars come from the other school and when school took up they sent a message for them to go to their school and we went on with our exercises and when school was about to desmis our school Teacher said maby we would have a dance at the end of the Turm

Sat Mar 21th

I cleaned out the pig pen went down to the Tithing Offace throad rocks at the calfs and come home and helped clean out the door-yard

Sun Mar 22th

I went to Sunday school and Thomas Merrill took charge of Sunday school and when it was out it was raining partly but more snowing never went to meeting on the count of that

Mon Mar 23

I got reddy and went to school and recited my lessons and come and done my chores and at night went down to brother Nelsons and plade too are three games

Tue Mar 24th

I ate my breakfast and sister Robison come a running down with a un
expecting thought and that was that Nancy Kennedy had took cramp as soon as she had got in the house father rushed up their and she was dead and my Uncle Morgan Knapp went to snake river and I went to school and recited my lessons

Wen Mar 25

I went to school and the Funiel was at 10 o clock and at night I come home and fed the cows and milked one

Thur Mar 26th

I went to school recited my lessons and at night come home and went back to the store and then done my chores




Fri Mar 27th

I done my chores went to school and at noon I watched the boys play and we had too spelling classes and then I come home and done my chores

Sat Mar 28th

I milked a cow and ate my breakfast and my Parents and our hired girl went to Logan I went down to the T. O. and drove the church team up here and took the cows up come home and drove the team back again and Wm my brother skinned a calf and went home and got my dinner and went back down there and hooked the team up cone up home and cut and planted some potatoes and then my brother went a hunting and I had to feed the cows and pigs and milked 3 cows

Sun Mar 29th

I got washed all over in the tub got redy and went to Sunday School and brother Baker spoke and come home and plad till meeting was out and went to the outsiders Sunday School and it was the first time I had been their and come home and milked 2 cows

Mon Mar 30th 1885

I went to school and receited my lessons and I come home and set the old lewisern and done my chores

Tue March 31

I went to school done all of my lesson come home ate my supper and took some chickens

Wen April 1th

I got up in the morning and it was raining and went to school recited my lesons and come home and went down to the Tithing Offace and put the chickens away

Thur April 2th

I went to school and recited my lessons and at night I come home and went down to the Tithing Offace and hunted the aggs and done my chores




Fri April 3th

I done my chores went to school and a cople a boys had made a mean act and I had to go out and get a willow to whip them with

Sat April 4th

I went up to the store and done some little errands for my mother and cleaned out the pig pen and plade nearly all the time

Sun April 5th

I went down to the T. O. and helped to hook up the team and I come home and my father had milked the cows and there was sent any Sunday School nor meeting and my uncle Justin let me ride his little poney that will be 2 years old in June

Mon April 6th

It was a pretty fair morning and I went to school and my teacher John J James asked me to help hom to make a fire and I got my lessons and I come home at night and hunted the aggs milked two cows

Tue April 7th

I done my chores went to school and recited my lessons and we did not have any noon because it was the last day of school and I plade ball a little and come home and Thomas Richarson was here who in old age and I hunted the ages and rode uncle Justin mair and come home and milked cow

Wen April 8th

I helped to hall some manure I loded and drove the team down to the Tithing Offac and went to my Uncles and droped some potatoes and halled some manure

Thur Arpil 9th

I done my chores plade around home and their was a man come along my father bought some strawbearies and some apple trees

Fri April 10th

Their was some boys come up to our house and plad a little while and my father sat out some shade trees

Sat April 11th

I helped to sat some trees out which 4 and waited till the afternoon and planted some trees

Sun April 12th

I don y chores and got reddy for Sunday school and the brother T Merrill took cair of sunday school and I come home and plade nearly all the time and went after the cows

Mon April 13th

Went down to the T. O. and told my brother that we had to hal some m…… and come to count the strawberries and their was only 40 and which hat art to be 100 and went up to brother Nelson’s to get some strawberries and he did not have time to git them because he had to go on a mishen and went up again and to 403 and come home and went after the cows and helped to clean some strawberries.

Tue April 14th

Went down to the T. O. and plade their about one hower and their was our young calf took sick and father held his mouth till my brother Wm. Pord a quort of sota water down it and we plade a little while and dug _______ and come up to the barn and plade alittle while longer and the deary boys come after the cows

Wen April 15th

The dairy men come up to breakfast I done my chores went down to the T. O. and their were 12 head of cattle just as they were about to start it commenced storming and there was a lot of boys and I had some fun in the born it soon quit storming and they took the cows but they had a hard time getting them of I cleaned out the pig pen and sawed wood the rest of the day while it was not storming

Thur April 16th

I milked 1 cow took them of to the heard and the heard was gon went down to the born and plade a little while and it was storming of and of all day

Fri April 17

I plade a little went down to the T. O. plade a little while come home helped to catch a rabbit and got all wet and went over to our nabords

Sat April 18

Dident do anything till about 10 o’clock and then helped uncle Justin get a large stone up to his door for a step which wade about 600 hundred pounds and I helped dig a ditch

Sun April 19

Went to Sunday school and got through with their exercises come home ate my dinner went to meeting some few men come to preach I come plad ball went up to Beacen Lewises and took some meet and hunted the eggs

Mon April 20th

Drove the cows to the heard helped to post up young trees so the cows would not rub down the trees and I went after the cows

Tue April 21th

Drove the cows to the heard ate my breakfast and went after the horses and found them down by C Hyer Pasture and fetched them home and plade all the rest of the after noon

Wen April 22th 1885

Drove cows to heard come home trimed of some shade trees which is 1 year old went down where Wm was fixen the trees and my uncle Justin Knapp said if I would weigh his little poney he said he would let me ride it and I got them and she would throug me of I come home while was eating my dinner it commenced snowing and halling and it did so all the after noon

Thu April 23th

Drove the cows to heard come home read the minets of the last cort I went to the heard and saw a Galloway Bull which was the first one I had ever seen

Fri April 24th 1885

Milked 1 cow cut a little wood and curried the horses took my sister up to the shoe maker Andersons to git some rose bushes and fooled around a little while and pealed some bark of from the trees and hunted the eggs




Sat April 25th 1885

Helped to hall some _____________ and went a fishen and rosted some wiennies come home done my chores

Sun April 26th

Dooked the cows of with Uncle Justin’s mair went to Sunday school and sister Alsoop, the suptendent of the Primery school called me to hir and she give me and Charles a peace for the aniuel meeting and I went to meeting and brother Taliford spoke and then Pres Merrill give some very good remarks

Mon April 27th

Drove the cows to the heard come home got reddy and went to school for the first day of the tearm Teacher Thomas Merrill and I come home hunted the eggs and I got a setting hen out of a hole.

Tue April 28th

Took the cows to the heard come home got ready for school recited my lessons come home plade ball ate my supper and milked too cows

Wen April 29th

I drove of the cows to heard went to school recited my lessons come home and done my chores

Thu April 30th

Went to school plade ball recited my lessons come home and done my chores

Fri May 1th

I milked one cow and drove all cows to the heard come home ate my breakfast put up my dinner and went up to brother Hendricks with two eggs and some more boys come and I went up to the Post Offace with a letter and come back and stade there about one hour and us boys clubed to gather and to some assid and candy and went a way walking up on the hills and went over the cherry crick and crosted on the north side and some of them on ther other side and because we dident go their they got mad and before we had our dinner un dun they said we was too stingy to give them some but still we give them most of the candy and drank the water assid and suger and I come home



Sat May 2th

Helped to sprout out the Tithing potatoes and in the after noon we cleaned our the born stable which took us about ½ of and hour we did not get the potatoes done

Sun May 3th

Took the cows off to the heard come home and tended a cople of my brothers while the rest went because I had a boil on my neck and there was some girls come down here

Mon May 4th

Drove my cows to the heard but I couldend go to school because my boil was not any beter but in the afternoon twisted a fish line

Tue May 5th

Went up to Walley Burnhams and got the cow blocks and come home helped to cut some potatoes’s and to 11 ½ lbs of carrots

Wen May 6th

Befor I got dressed my brother gave me a birthday present I 12 year old tended to my chores and dug some bate and went a fishen when I was down ther uncle Justin packed me acrosed a puddle of water which was about 8 feet wide but I could not catch any and I done my chores and my older brother gave me a birth day present

Thu May 7th

Took the cows to the heard come back and fasted although I hoed some garden stuff and then I went to school come home and done my chores

Fri May 8

Went to school as usual recited my lessons come home and went down the unle Knapp’s and he made some fishing nines

Sat May 9

Went up to the store and got a bottle of lemon 2 lb of apples and 2 lb of beans come home and hoed a little and I had to go up again to git some curronts and some apples come home finished howeng and went to primary and donated 5 [cents] to it come and done a little

Sun May 10th

Got reddy and went to meeting and their was some very good instructions and I come home ate my dinner and went to meeting again and our new meeting houre was dedacited and went on with the meeting so I come home helped to milk a heffer

Mon May 11th

Milked a cow ate my breakfast went to school recited my lessons and at night I come home went down to the Tithing Offace and got a calf in the born went home and Samul Burjace which I was a quanted with stade all night

Tue May 12th 1885

Milked one cow went down to the T.O. and told some tramps to out of their and come to count them and their was 12 so I come home went to school recited my lessons went after the cows and their was a boy got throad of from a horce but did not hirt him but I come home and milked a cow


Wen May 13th

Milked a cow ate my breakfast got reddy and went to school recited my lessons come home and done my chores

Thu May 14th

Milked a heffer got reddy and went to school recited my lessons come home went down to the Tithing born hunted the eggs and set a cople of hens

Fri May 15th

Went to school and in the afternoon had Grammer and had songs and peaces come home broke some clods

Sat May 16th

Done chores cleaned out the pigpen went down to the T. O. helped to clean out the stable sprouted some potatoes and my unt come up on a visit went to the store




Sun May 17th

Uncle Thomas Richenons come to give my my patericarick o blessing went up to Aunt Malinda’s and went to meeting and a few Elders spoke

Mon May 18th

I milk 2 cows went to school recited my lessons come home hunted the eggs come up home and done my chores

Tue May 19th

Done my chores went to school and at noon I come home for my dinner which was 5 blocks and went back and run a race and went in school recited my lessons come home and done my chores

Wen May 20th

Done my chores plade _______ a little while went to school and recited my lessons come home and broke some clods up and went and hunted the eggs

Thu May 21th

Done my chores and plade pitch quakes got reddy and went to school recited my lessons hoed a little patch of potatoes

Fri May 22th

Went to school and receited my lessons and come home and done all of chores and got reddy and went up to Thoms petties and did not have any fun

Sat May 23th

Done my chores got reddy and went to Logan with T. O. and had to buy my dinner and when was coming home stoped to see some races which was betten on horses

Sun May 24th

I done my chores got reddy for sunday school and red the first, second and Third chapers of Genesis out of the bible went to Sunday school and when it let out I stade to pratic songs for the anuel meeting on the 1th of June 1885 and I stade home and tended to my little brothers



Mon May 25th 1885

Milked 2 cows got reddy and went to school receited my lessons come home and set a chicken

Tue May 26th 1885

Milked 2 cows ate my breakfast got reddy and went to school and learnt all of my lessons come home and done my chores

Wen May 27th
Milked 2 cows went to school recited my lessons and my mother had bought me a pair of overalls and I took a letter to Thomas Petty Post Offac Wm Keer bought a pair of overalls for Charles and also J C Whittle.

Thu May 28th

Milked 3 cows went to school receited my lessons come home and hunted the eggs and done my chores

Fri May 29th 1885

Done my chores went to school which was my last day come home hunted the eggs and fixed a stick to throw a new way

Sat May 30th

Ate my breakfast and furrod out the little garden stuff and then went to the Tithing Offace come home and went to Primary meeting and practiced my peace for the Anuel meeting come home and trimed some trees

Sun May 31th 1885

Got reddy and went to Sunday school and come home and went down to brother Web’s and plade mumble peg and come home and done my chores

Mon June 1th

Done my chores pulled weeds out of the onions got reddy and went to the Annul meeting and spoke a recitation come home and done my chores

Tue June 2th 1885

I helped, to tend the horses borrod a shuvle and went up to George Thompson’s house to see if could have the water and we could not so I come home plade all the time and then done my chores

Wen June 3th

I hoed a patch of cabbag a strawberry patch and in the after nboon went out in the field to water and the man was not quoite done so Wm and I ducked the don in the ditch and went to waterning

Thursday June 4th

Went out in the field and commenced waterning and along the west ditch and washed a lot of potatoes and come home ate my dinner went back and commenced waterning

Friday June 5th

Milked my cows and it started to rain my brother Wm went out to turn the water and got wet with the rain ate my breakfast went down in the Tithing Offace tended to the chickens I came home and never done any thing until
night

Sat June 6th

Went up to Aunt Malinda’s to see S D Bullen but he was not back from Lewiston so I plade with a chip-munk went down to the Coop store and I took letters up to the post offace and got 3 sticks of candy come home and dovided it among the children got reddy and went a fishing and it started to rain and I did not catch any fish so I come home and done my chores

Sun June 7th

Get reddy and helped Alonzo clean up the Stall and when S.S. was out I come home and some boys come up here and plade tended the horses made a swing done my chores went to meeting and brother Moses Thatcher preached

Mon June 8th

Went up to the store got a roast boar to the coop store and come home and had to take back and get one at S H Hobison come and tride to catch some mice and I got my hook and fouled it up and let it loose

Tue June 9th

Went in the field and charred some posts ate my dinner and charred the rest of them for a pasture and went over to the crick to get some water and I fell in the crick and got one leg wet went up the wagon and set in some posts and hooked up the team and come home tended to the team

Wen June 10th

Went in the field charred posts all day exeped when I come home I milked a cople cows

Thu June 11th 1885

Went down in the field waited intill my father got some ploud home ground and shoveled it out and it comenced raining and we maid a fire and comencind working and it comenced raining again and made another fire and ate my dinner went to work and got about 3 thirds up and come home and done my chores

Friday June 12th

My father could not go in the field because he had a bad cold all the same we got along all which was cleanind a ditch out and charred some posts come home went up to my aunt’s to get some __________

Sat Jun 13th

Went down in the field charred 19 posts ate my dinner went in swimming went down to the river come up to the wagon helped to set a few posts I helped to dig some posts holes got reddy and come home

Sun June 12

Got reddy and went to sunday school come home ate my dinner went ot seventies meeting come home done my chores wend to Young mens and ladies meeting

Mon June 15th 1885

Started at the onions and weaded them started on the beens and some peas wenet up to sister Merriles and a spinning sheel

Tue June 16th
Weaded the onions some beets and some boys come up to buy some rabbits done my chores

Wen June 17th

Weaded the carrots tomatoes cucumbers furrod the beens tomatoes strawberries weaded some beans furrod of peas went up to aunt Marian’s got my dinner come home commencing doweng the same

Thu June 18th 1885

I cot cold the day before did not do anything only took some butter up to my aunts and at night had a privet dance and dident let out intil 12m

Fri June 19th

I did not do anything much laid on the bed about all day the cough got pirtty bad

Sat June 20th

Went up to brother Burgewises went to draw some water and the rope broke bucket went in the well tied some sticks to gather and got it again whitewashed a room went a fishing went in swimming all the after noon come home and saw a skunk sented a boys leg

Sun June 21th 1885

Went to Sunday school sweaped the vestry out went through our exercises come home tended my brother while mother went to meeting

Mon June 22th

Went to the store and got some lye come home and it commenced raining and I did not do anything

Tue June 23th

Went down the T. O. come home picked some pear ate my dinner went to took them up to my aunts come home and plade the rest of the time

Wen June 24th

Got the chores ate my breakfast dident do anything on the account of beaing subject to a cough

Thu June 25th 1885

Went down in the field to stretch some wire arount our calf pasture finished one side come home done my chores slep out on the stack




Fri June 26th 1885

Ground some malt took a little up to my aunts went over to Burgesses know one home come home ground a little malt and done my chores

Sat June 27th

Ate my breakfast made some dames to water the lot and I had to go 5 blocks after the water watered the gardin went down in swimming and a little while after worts after that a boy but near got drowned but my brother got him out come home picked some peas

Sun June 28th

Got ready for sunday school shelled some peas before I went to school and I hat to stand out on the acount of the Jublee and I went to meeting

Tue June 30th 1885

We hoed 9 roes of potatoes picked a mess of peas ate my dinner went down in the field and helped hoe 3 quorters of and acor dome home and done my chores

Wen Jul 1th
Went down to the T. O. and watched them brand and mark the cattle so they could put them in the pasture went up to the post offace and got a letter

Thu July 2th

Done my chores thinned out some beets and did not do any thing all day

Fri July 3th

Watered onions and the water was stoped of and after while it come down and watered Beets carrots and some Beens

Sat July 4th

My Uncle come and wake me up because it was the 4 of July done my chores and the people marched down here and I went up in town with my brother and I come home ate my dinner went in town and looked at them

Sun July 5th 1885

Got reddy and went to sunday School come home ate my dinner went to meeting had some good instructions and plaid the rest of the day

Mon July 6th

Went to work in the little shade trees done my chores

Tues July 7th

Aug Monday 10th 1885

Went up to Johan Anderson’s to get harness come home went down in the field rode the horse to plow in ditches and he fell down and I ate my dinner and went down to hoe and after that I went in swimming

Aug Tuesday 11th

Took the horses down to J Johnson to take a machanic up to our 5 A peace so he could cut it and I helped to shock it up come home ate my dinner sharpened the ax and helped to rig up for the canian

Aug Wensday 12th

Done my chores got ready and went to the canun and went up to the drag road for the first time and thout I would never git to the top and when retearned my father cut the logs my brother smoked it and when got a lot we had to drop some of it took that down went back after the rest hooked then to gather gownd the house broke a tug and fixed it went down put on the lode was gowing down the canine I went to sleep and broke another tug and finished my jorny and never got home till half past 9 o’clock

Aug Thursday 13th

I done my chores wond quoils to weave ate my dinner went down to the Excurison and know one of our folks come I went down to the tithing Offace and met one of our hired girls friend come up and so I done my chores

Aug Friday 14th 1885

I done my chores ate my breakfast went to work and made a little wagon ate my supper and done my chores

Aug Saterday 15th

Tearned the water on the gardin hooked the horses up took a cople of wamon over the river went to one place and I plade on a cordian come home put up the team ate my supper and done my chores

Aug Sunday 16th

Got ready and went to sunday school come home ate my dinner stade home watched the melons and I went down to brother Nelsons and plad a little while

Aug Monday 17th

I cleaned som cabbage seads went up to the chores went down to John Johnson and went a boat riding for the first time I ever was in a boat and I had a good time and come home

Aug Tuesday 18th

I got up in the morning done the chores got ready and went down in the field helped to shock up 2 rounds on the wheat went after the calf but did not find it went to the buggy and ate my dinner helped to water the horses went a boat riding and come home

Aug Wendsay 19th

Went down in the field finished shocking up the wheat shoked up some oats ate my dinner finished shocking up went after a calf found it in Frank Robinson’s Pasture and we got it in our owne pasture went over to pount and had a boat ride come home done my chores

Aug Thursday 20th

I done my chores ate my breakfast dident do any thing all day

Aug Friday 21th

I did not any thing stade home and done my chores

Aug Saterday 22

Done my chores turned the water on the lot started up to aunt Malinda’s to get her horse and saddle but Lorenzo H Bullen was fatching the horse down my father went to Logan I stade home and tended the Tithing Offace while the boys went to bathe it comenced raning still cep on raining of and on went down to the Tithing stacks ran races with some boys went up to Uncle Justins and ran with Briggy Hyer and out ran him and comencing to cry





Aug Sunday 23th

Done my chores did not go to School because it was raining ate my dinner went out and got a water meolin went down to brother Nelsons plade a little while come home done my chores ate my supper went down

Aug Monday 24th

I done my chores ate my breakfast did not do anything ixeped hooking up the horses so he could take the fanning mill home

Aug Tuesday 25th 1885

I done my chors ate breakfast went down to the T. O. maid grain until noon went home ate my dinner had the head ake went a sleep went down to brother Nelsons some got on a horse went to see if I could git some rakins

Augs Wensday 26th

Done my chores ate my breakfast hookep up the team took the loom home come home ate my dinner staid to the T. O.

Aug Thursday 27th 1885

I ate my breakfast was cleaning out the pig pen a pig got out ate a water melon went down to the T. O. to see Wm shout ________done my chores

Monday Sep 14th 1885

Done my chores ate my breakfast tride to make a wire ship tended the baby got dinner went down to T. O. stade down therir alittle while hooked up the horses went up to T. Griffens to git a hind axletree wen we was gowing I got 5 [cents] worth of candy

Tuesday Sep 15th

I got up on the old house took the saddle boards off comenced tairing down the chimely toar of the shingles Wm my brother come and helped me we toar rafters ate my dinner took the ceiling and started to take away the lining ate my supper

Wen September 16th 1885

Milked 2 cowes ate my breakfast helped to tair away some dobys took down the logs took up the flower

Thirsday September 17

Toar the roof off the house bought a few peaches ate my dinner took down the lath

Friday Sept 18th
[no entry]

Thu September 24th 1885

Done my chores ate my break-fast went up to sister Brights to git some rossom for the tooth ake and stid dowind dewing any good it made it ake

Wen September 25th 1885

Done my chores at my breakfast and to marge eavening went down on sitycrick hunting but did not kill anything

2 comments:

Jo said...

Hi Sue,
My name is Jo. Wow, I LOVED the history of Lydia Ackerman. She is my third great grandmother and I have her photo! Also you have Cyril Call, he is my third great grandfather. Can you believe it? I would love to share what I know with what you know. If you wish, contact me.

Sue Rasmussen said...

JoLyn - I don't know how to contact you other than leaving this note.
I'd love to have a picture of Lydia Ackerman and to stay in touch if anything else comes to light that we would both enjoy. Sue Rasmussen at dsrasmus@verizon.net - As you can see I don't check this blog very often, but I just checked the box about emailing follow up comments so if you get this and respond I'll know.