Diary, 1837–1888

son, I will make you a present of a handsome Rocking chair." I long to have my chair.

We do not expect to occupy our house yet for some weeks; the carpenters have been a long time building it; it was commenced before I was married. Last summer we walked over every day to see how it came on; we took an interest in the least progress that was made; it a door was finished we would go over to see it; the floor to a room laid; a Mantle piece put up; in short any thing; we were so anxious to see the house finished.

This winter has been so mild; it has agreed with me; I have been quite well; not had a cold even; in Charleston I generally had a cold the whole winter. I have been classed with a good constitution; have hardly been sick during my whole life. I must practise this morning on my Guitar; which I have neglected sadly; my husband has no air for Music; and never asks me to play; though if I were to play for him I know he would be pleased, he is fond of hearing me sing; but thinks in the Guitar itself there is no music. I disagree with him I admire the waltzes and other peices on it very much.

Saturday 17^th

We yesterday had a most violent storm; the wind blew terribly; and in the morning it rained a deluge the night before it thundered and lightened and rained also in torrents. Reedy river is so full, that the

stage cannot cross it; and the Mails in consequence have not arrived regularly. I thought the weather after this would be intensely cold, it is much colder than it was; but not cold enough to thicken the Ice. The winter has been unusally mild every where.

Monday 19^th

I have commenced reading "a year in Spain" by a young American; and find it very interesting. Plutarch we still read at night together; the other I read to myself.

I did not go to church yesterday; the Baptist minister was away; and it was quite cold; we read one of Blair's excellent sermons.

I was in hopes of getting a letter to day from home but have been disappointed; the last one mentioned that Mamma was sick; and Ann getting well slowly. Susan must have a hard time of it. She wrote to me the other day for the first time in her life; until my marriage I had never been separated from them therefore had no opportunities of writing. I see three Charleston papers during the week which I value very much; I look them over from beginning to end.

Colonel Dunham says our house will be finished by the Spring circuit which is the fourth Monday in March; but as Major Perry will then be asbent for some weeks four or five days at a time; we will

not take possession of it until the circuit is over about the end of April.

M^rs Coleman has taught me how to make bread, biscuits, flannel cakes and wafers; so when I go to housekeeping I will at any rate know something. I have two receipt books which I intend to study. The only work I have done for myself since I returned from Charleston seven or eight weeks ago is makeing Cuffs; I had by me small peices of muslin and lace, large enough for nothing else so I thought I had better convert them into Cuffs which I admire very much. I have not made a tippet or collar this year; and do not intend to; I will let my present stock wear out; and in future purchase.

I this morning gave a little scent vial I brought from Charleston; to M^rs Coleman, as I had not made her any present since I had been boarding with her; I have one to M^rs D^r Butler not long ago. I bought them in town for the little Williams' ^but when I came here determined to not give them.

Greenville is so healthy you rarely here of sickness; but at present M^rs Crook is quite ill with Typhus fever, she has been sick almost a month; at one time it was reported she was dead. I hope she may get well.

This is a charming day; the sun is shining so brightly; I almost am tempted to take a walk;

if I had not such an interesting book to read, I think I would.

March 1^st Thursday.

It has been snowing the greater part of the day; and the roofs of the houses and ground are now covered; this first day of Spring is like a winter's day. I have been very busy for some days past hemming towels, mending clothes and covering a stock for my husband; and reading "a year in Spain", which I have almost finished, I have found it very interesting. Spain under a good government; would be the most delightful country in the world; as has been proved during the Saracen domination, when every thing was prosperous and flourishing. But I should doubt if it would ever regain its former state of prosperity and happiness.

I recieved a letter yesteday from Mamma, she gives a dismal account of the state of affairs in her household; Ann is still sick; she herself is not well; the servants are sick; and the boy they hired has proved so dishonest; they have been obliged to send him away; with his place remaining unsupplied; not being able to get another.

M^rs D^r Butler wrote me a note last week, and sent me a beautiful shell for my Mantel piece.

M^rs Crook is dead; I am sorry for D^r Crook.

My husband is busy planting; and arranging his garden I hope his trees and plants will live to reward his labors M^rs M^cCloud and M^rs Walker have sent us strawberry plants. M^rs Hoke the seeds of the vegetable oyster.

March 14^th Wednesday

I have just received a present from M^rs Croft of a pair of screens; when I was married she gave me nothing; but said when i went to house keeping she would, she has now performed her promise.

I was very much disappointed in not hearing from Mamma to day; she treats me so badly; I am almost determined to do has she has done, and omit writing this week. Although she has sickness in her family; she ought not to forget her daughter who is at a distance. My dear Mamma / I long to see her.

My cousin Eloise has a little daughter, and is quite well. Captain Williams came back this evening, so I suppose they will go back to Washington soon.

I have finished reading to day "Travels in Turkey, Greece &c", by A. Slade; they are very interesting, more so than "a year in Spain"; not so tedious.

We are reading, "Homer's Iliad" I am rather disappointed in it, they is too great a sameness; the repetition of the same things over and over; so many battles are described, and all precisely alike; fought in the same way. The parting of Hector and Andromache is the most interesting part.

March 28^th

My husband is away, at Anderson, I am so lonely; I do not know what to do. I have no one to talk to; I am tired of working; I am tired of reading, I am tired of having nothing important to do.