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1861 "January 1st, New Years Day. I would desire to engage with new zeal in all the labors I may be called to perform and whatsoever my hand finds to do, do it with my might. When my work is done may it be well with me. It has been a pleasant new years day. I have spent the day in a quiet manner at home…….Elijah has taken a load of wood to Mrs. Davis, the colored woman. Annie Docherty has done the housework……." "February 6th & 7th, …..I went to see Mrs. Moses this morning. Think she cannot long survive……Snowing and very blustery today. I have been occupied about my work as usual. Elijah and Sarah watched with Mrs. Moses last night but she did not heed them. She died 6 o'clock p.m." "May 2nd, I have cleaned my kitchen and some other work. Mr. John Norton has been here and left a little orphan boy 5 years old, Willie Stiles, with some expectation that E. and S. will adopt him if they like him." "July 3rd, Very pleasant day. Very busy at house work this a.m. This p.m. have been to the Corner's West to a pole raising and the hoisting of a flag. Heard speeches at the church after which we had a picnic supper. No accident happened and passed off pleasantly…….." "July 4th, ……After dinner we all took a ride. Went to Hemlock Lake and see the new steamboat then we come home through Livonia Center……" "July 24th, ……Called to Mr. B. Briggs and to W. Winans. Went to Elton Bolles to dinner. P.m. all visited Mrs. Melissa Tompkins. Visited with an Indian lady, quite intelligent. Also met some old acquaintances……." "November 14th, Have been to the concert hall to a ladies meeting for the purpose of doing something for the sick and wounded soldiers…….." "December 31st, 11 o'clock eve. I have done my work as usual and sewed some today. Father has been to market with some fowls. Elijah and Sarah went to Canandaigua to M. Hopkins yesterday and returned this evening. All the family have retired and I guess are now sleeping and when they wake it will be a new year. The old one is almost expired with all it's joys and sorrows, cares and anxieties and as I bid farewell to it I am reminded of very many occurrences in the past, some joyous and some grievances. I have great reason to be thankful for the health given me and very many blessings bestowed beyond what I deserve….I pray that all wrong may be forgiven."