Index
1905 | 1906 | 1908 | 1922 | Pember Genealogy
Sometime in the 1950's, when I was just a young boy, we took a trip from Breakneck Brook Camp up Jerusalem Hill and over through Lost Nation. I don't remember much about it - we could have taken the Jeep or walked. Anyway, we found this abandoned house with the door hanging open and went in to look around. The place had been ransacked and things were thrown all over. It had belonged to an old lady, Mary Francese Pember, who lived alone and who had kept diaries. Most of them were torn apart and strewn around the floor, but Mom found three intact and took them. Actually, we shouldn't have been in there or taken anything, but if we hadn't they probably wouldn't exist today.
Years later, in 1960, my grandparents stayed at White's Cottages on Lake Champlain while we stayed at Freschette's on vacation. Mom got into a conversation with Lida White, who turned out to be Miss Pember's niece. She wasn't at all happy Mom had Miss Pember's diaries at first. After they talked awhile, though, and Mom offered to give them to her, she changed her mind and told Mom she could keep them if she was that interested in them.
I assume all the rest of the diaries were destroyed, unfortunately.
My grandfather met Miss Pember a number of times when he first bought the camp in Rochester, but never said much about her. Mom wrote some information down that she put together from the diaries and that she got from Lida White, which is as follows:
Abby and Henry were the Walkers. Walker children mentioned were:
Neighbors mentioned:
In 1908 expenditures for clothing and household needs for two were $53.28 for the year! She mentioned paying $9 rent. By 1922: Twitchell plowed the roads in winter. Howard Walker was married and had a car. Pansy and Emma were married. Henry wasn't mentioned, so must have died. Carl lived home tho went to Hancock awhile to work. Lida went to training school and became a teacher. Enough people had moved away so that weeks went by when Miss Pember saw no one. She was very lonely in 1922. Abbie came over in 1922 almost every night at times, but never stayed more than a few minutes!
Met Lida at Lake Champlain in 1960. Miss Pember was her aunt. Charlie was still alive. Bennie was an adopted son of Ellen and Charles. Abby died at Lida's. Lida and Austin inherited the old Walker farm. Pansy was still alive. Miss Pember did not go out much. They all liked Joe Crossman a lot.
The above was written up by Carolyn S. Rice sometime in the 1960's. Carolyn died in 1995.
The diaries were loaned to Rev. Maxwell Rice in the 1970's and disappeared. Lawrence Rice found them again in August of 1995 when he came home for Carolyn's burial service. I decided to transcribe them, so began the transcription on August 27, 1995 and finished on April 2, 2005. I made some corrections in punctuation to improve readibility, but left most of the quaint misspellings as they were. The transcriptions have not yet been proofread and corrected.Ted Rice, 2005
Click here to see a Pember Genealogy obtained from Bill Harrington in Michigan on October 14, 2001.
Scans of the actual diary can be obtained on CD for the cost of the CD and shipping. Contact me for details.
People mentioned in this diary with possible spelling variations: Charles Wilson, Ellen Pember Wilson, Will Pember, Andrew Jackson Pember, George Pember, Samuel Pember, Jennie Pember, Monroe Pember, Henry Walker, Abbie Pember Walker, Emma Walker, Lida Walker, Pansie Walker, Anna Walker, Carl Walker, Joe Crossman, Sam Bowen, Walter Bowen, Sam Wilson, Win Whittaker, Charles Smith, Aaron Stores, George March, Charles Atwood, Ed Rix, George Wilber, Ligher Wilber, Vince Hurburt , Ed Norton, Stephens, Fuller, Lyman, Durkee, Stevens, Bundy, Gilson, Parrott, Galland, Holden, Martin, Sweeney
Mary Francese Pember's Diary for 1905
Cold and quite pleasant. Ellen and Charlie came up he brought a strap for Joe to fix. Charlie brought up a can of syrup. Pansie came over and brought something Uncle W. sent.
Cloudy and warmer.
Joe went up to the woods to fix road. Joe was going over to Wills but looks like rain.
Cloudy and snows.
I do not feel good.
Joe worked out in short stabble today.
Clear and ril cold
Joe drawed logs down got 4 loads
Cold night.
Pleasant and cold.
Joe drawed down logs from the woods.
Ellen came up home brought a pie. Joe carried her home. Cold.
Cold and windy.
Wind blows all day fixed straps to harness.
Fair and cool.
Brake out road [ ] Henry [worked?] 31 hours.
Rough hailed in morning warmer at night. Joe went over and got paper.
I finished my night dress. Joe cut father's hair.
Clear and pleasant.
Joe drawed logs
Ril bright
The logs are for wood.
Cold Cold and pleasant.
Joe went to Randolph carried some eggs and butter.
Ellen came up and did not stay but a little while.
I got a letter from Pansie.
12 below zero tonight.
Cold and chilly
Cold windy only a little above zero. Howard and Emma came over. Emma going to stay all night.
Fair and cool
Went up and cut some spruce logs. Cut seven had to brake the crust up to the woods.
Cloudy and snowy.
Snows a little all day. Went over to Sam Bowens and got mail and got a sled runner.
Snows a little today. Got three loads of wood in fore noon and went up and got three loads of spruce logs. Had to snake them out and saw them up.
Cloudy and windy
Wind blows like fury all day.
[They] brake out the road with machines.
Joe went and got paper.
Emma went home tonight.
Fair and pleasant
Went up and shoveled out the road with Henry. Shoveled two hours.
.30
I washed a little and mop[p]ed. Joe went to village. Grew cold at night.
Fair and pleasant in morning. Clouds up in afternoon. Snows some in afternoon. Got too loads of wood from [Bundys.]
Cloudy and snows a little. Not very cold. Fixed barn some and got one load of wood from Bundys.
Fair and cold.
Went to mill with logs today. Road not very good.
I cooked my mince meat. Put up seven quarts. Made Carl a night dress.
Cold and cloudy
Joe went to mill with logs.
Ellen came up and staid a little while. Ril cold.
Cloudy and windy.
Went to mill with logs. Grows cold. Rough on the [Hill].
Terribly cold and windy.
Cold Cold
It was a terrible cold and windy night. Joe went and got mail we had two papers and I had three letters. Henry stoped in been over to [corners]. Howard brought the kettle home. Lida got a hard cold.
Cold and cloudy
Broke out road down to Gilsons and went up to Bundys.
Groes warmer. Snows a little. Drawed wood from Bundys. Got it all down. Had seven loads.
Bright and pleasant
Joe gone over to Willies. Ellen did not come up home. I am ril lonesome. Howard came over he staid to dinner ril [suny].
Bright and pleasant
Joe went to mill. Saw mill. I washed white clothes. Sent Abbie some gruel.
Cloudy in morning but suny in afternoon. Joe went to saw mill. I washed my blue dressing waist and the shirts. Henry and Howard stoped in here.
I feel dretful lonesome. Ellen did not come home today. Quite cold today.
Fair and pleasant.
Cut some spruce trees for logs today then went over to Ellen's. Got some letters.
Cold and windy.
Cut some logs today. Walter Bowen helped a little while. Ellen came home today. I went and carried her over to Sam Bowen's and got the mail.
Sam Wilson died this morning at 4 o'clock.
Fair and cold. Wind blows some. Went up and cut out road to logs.
Howard came over. Henry drawed hog for him.
Cold Cold. Quite pleasant. Joe gone down to village today.
Went to Bethel got some meal. Cold knight.
Fair and pleasant
Ellen come home to day. I went over to Henry's a little while.
Cloudy and snowy all day. Done chores and that is all.
Storms some and wind begins to blow tord knight. Rough to knight.
Verry pleasant
Joe drawed down some logs from the woods then went and help Henry brake road down the hill. Henry plowed out and stoped here.
Stormy and windy.
Joe got all ready to go to Randolph but so stormy gave it up.
He went and got the mail. Got a letter from Aunty Larette and from his mother.
Cloudy and snowy.
Went to Randolph. Rough day. Road all full when I come home.
Fair and cold.
Wind blows today. Henry brake out today up to Bundy's. I went over and got the mail.
Cloudy and snowy. Looks like storm. Not a very good road now.
Cold windy and stormy.
Henry broke out at night. Joe went over to corners and fixed mail boxes. Cold.
Sun shines but cold and windy. Drifted. I washed some. Joe went up to woods smoking meat. Cold Cold.
Fair and pleasant
Drawed down some logs from the woods. Got all down. Snow pretty deep.
Fair and cool
Went to Bethel today. Saw sundog when I came home. Got the mail.
Stormy and windy.
Ellen come up today. I went home with her. The road all full up to the top.
Emma came over. Going to stay all night.
Cloudy and wind blows. Rough day. Road all full. Groes cold some.
Cold and pleasant
Very cold night (10 below). Cold and bright.
Shovled out road
Shovled 5 hours.
[Snows] and windy.
Helped break road. Worked four hours.
Fine day
Pleasant and it thawed for the first time for two months.
Ril bright.
Joe worked almost all day on road.
Worked five hours shovling road.
Not very pleasant. Chilly. Joe went to Randolph with both horses. Got a sack of flour.
Ril pleasant
Ellen came up and staid a little while. Stitched her pillow cases.
Joe went over to get mail. Pansie went over to corners to gat him. The creemer got down. Pansie staid all night.
Ril Pleasant
Joe drawed 3 loads of logs down part way. Pansie went home.
Fair and pleasant
Went with logs to mill today. Very nice day. Road went well.
Fair and warm.
Children over today. Howard went over to Ellen's today.
Colder. Chilly
Joe went with logs. Went up to village. Got Major shod. Got a few pounds of meal.
Ellen came up a few minutes. Wanted to wash. I washed some.
Anna and Em came over to stay all night.
Stormy. Snowed a little most all day. Joe went to mill with logs. The girls went home tonight.
Fair and pleasant
Cut a few logs. Howard helped saw them up. Cut twelve.
Fair and cool.
Went with logs and went up to [Wm.] Pember's. They were going to saw wood.
Ellen came up and packed some ham for summer. Pansie came over and pieced blocks.
Fair and pleasant.
Got down logs today. Henry snaked them out. Worked three hours. Got them all down to the house.
Fair and cool.
Fixed sled today and smoked some meet.
Cloudy and stormy some
Finished the sled today. Went over to Henry's to knight.
Cold and quite pleasant
Joe drawed logs all day down to foot of hill. Went five times.
Cloudy Cold
Joe went to Bethel to late for town meeting.
We had a lamb this morning. Got it in house.
[Thaws] a little. Cloudy. Joe went over to Sam's and got a little milk.
Pleasant
Joe went with logs today. Went twice from the foot of hill.
Ril pleasant
The warmest day of this year. went up to 42 degrees.
I washed a little. Baked a piece of meat. Dretful tired.
Carl came over and is going to stay all night.
Went with logs to mill. Went with too loads. got them all up.
Colder. Windy, but sun shines.
Joe went over and got the mail and went over to Ellen's. Carl went home.
Pleasant
Joe went up to Wills and got his sleigh [tro??as] to go to Randolph with. Pansie came over and Ellen came up a little while in afternoon.
Joe got some sour milk up to Wills.
Had another lamb to night smart.
Cold and quite pleasant. Joe went to Randolph got a barrel of flour paid 6.23 - bad gaining.
Howard and Anne came over a few minutes at night and told us Howard going over to Uncle William to work in a week.
Pleasant
Joe went over and helped Henry saw some wood. Em came over and staid all night.
Ril pleasant
Helped Henry get some wood. Got sevin loads.
Fair and pleasant.
Went over and took Will's sli(n?)gs home. Come home by the village. Got two hundred of meat.
Fair and Pleasant
I went over and helped Henry get some wood. Ellen and Charles come up to knight.
Warm wind blows from the South. Rained a little. Sun shone some. Snow has settled lots.
I helped Henry saw wood in afternoon. Wind blows and rains some. Snow settles fast.
Warm and showers.
Snow gone down lots. I went over to Henry's a little while. Road [ ].
Colder Cloudy
Henry went about noon to carry Howard to E. Bethel. Ellen and Charlie came up a few minutes. Heard [ant] Frank was very sick.
Cloudy and at night snowed.
Joe went and helped some women out of snow. Had a lamb. Old [bawl] face sheep.
Father has not done any chores. Joe went over to corners and got some milk and the mail.
Bright and ples.
Ellen and Charlie came up and got a few tubs. Came with team.
Joe fixed place for sheep at barn.
Joe went over to corners, did not get any mail. Charlie got the mail.
Pansie came over and staid a little while.
Pleasant in forenoon but rained in afternoon.
Joe went over to Charlies [ ] [fixing][vaparator]. They got a new milk cow.
Abbie and Henry came over a little while. Pansie came over to stay all night.
Rainy
Joe went over to Ellen's to tell her Father does not feel as well. Father is real crazzy. E. sent up some milk.
Ellen came up and staid all day and helped take care of Father.
Pleasant in forenoon, but snowed and rained at night. Charlie and Ellen came up and Ellen going to stay till morning.
Bright and pleasant
Ellen went home this morning. Father about the same.
Pleasant
[I] went to Rochester. Sledding all gone went [down] with sled.
Fair and pleasant
Went after [ ] for A.J. Pember. Went with waggon.
Had two lambs today. [Smut] and Old Cossett.
Cloudy and so[ ].
Charles and Ellen came up. Had one lamb today.
Pleasant
Abbie came over a few minutes.
Ellen came up after dark and staid all night. I have not sit up any.
Monroe Lamb came over and is going over to martins to stay tonight.
Father about the same.
Pleasant
Monroe Lamb stoped here a little while. Father ril bad tonight. I have not sit up any. J. as sit up all night.
Quite pleasant.
Win Whittaker came to take list.
Ellen came up and staid all night. Didn't get here till nine.
Cloudy and rainy
Ellen went home at five in morning. Rained hard.
Dr. came again today. I paid him $4.
Rainy
Joe went with Henry over to corners with team. Ellen rode up stoped just a minute.
Arthur came up and got his cat.
Father sleep quite well.
Cloudy
Henry got our paper and letter from Aunty Lorette.
Father about the same.
Cloudy
Pansie went home and staid a while. Joe went over to her house and she came home with him.
Fair and cool
Went over to Henry's today and went up to Bundy's.
Fair and pleasant all day.
Wm. Pember and wife come today.
Cloudy and rainy
Went down to Charles and got some milk. Dr. came today.
Cloudy and rainy
All day done chores and stayed in house.
Is quite pleasant. Joe went to Rochester got some grain sugar and yeast.
One old sheep four lambs, one died, two smart, one not just right. Another had one lamb before Joe came and one before he went to bed.
Ellen came up just a few minutes. Quite pleasant.
Pleasant.
Joe went over to Ellen's and went to post box. Got the paper and a letter from Anty Larette.
Cloudy.
Abbie came over a few minutes. Pansie went home and carried her hen. Abbie brought milk and cream. Henry gone to get Howard.
Cloudy and snowed a little.
Pansie went home a little while today.
Stormy and windy.
Howard came over and staid a little while.
Cold.
Henry carried Howard back to E.B.
Joe went over and milked tonight.
Sun shines and windy. Winds blows hard. Joe went over and milked for Henry. Joe went to village, got grain, carried off 12 dozen eggs, got 15 cts per dozen.
Rainy. Rainy.
Joe went and got mail and went over to E. a few minutes. Ellen don't feel very well. She churned and worked 25 pounds butter.
I cleaned closet upstairs.
Rainy all day long. Alone chores. Rains all day. [Stidy] begins to look a little green.
Fair and pleasant.
Drawed one load of poles and got wood up [for] Bundys.
Pleasant and the wind blows.
Joe went up to Wills. Jennie sent some tomatoes to me. Ellen came up home. [The] old spekled cow [I think] cow is sick.
Windy at night. Rained. Joe went to Rochester for grain.
Charlie and Ellen came up. Rained at night. Brought some meal for old cow.
Joe carried some eggs and got some sugar.
Pleasant.
[Dr.] came here. Ellen came up.
Charlie went to Rochester and got a box of Kow Kure for the cow.
Old cow just about the same.
Brindle cow had her calf this morn one tied around her neck.
Pleasant.
Joe drawed out two loads of manure. Cleaned out box stall where calf was.
Pleasant. Warmest day of season.
Old cow not quite as well.
Pleasant.
Old cow isent as well. [K]idder sent up work to see if Joe could shear sheep. I sent word to E. and she came over. Henry came over and helped up old cow.
Cloudy. Rained a little in afternoon.
Charlie and Ellen came up. Brought some vegables for old cow. Charlie brought up some syrup.
Quite pleasant and quite cold.
Mother went over to Henry's and staid with children. Abbie and H. went up to Jer. with Pansie. I did not sit up. Joe staid with Father and me.
Old cow isent as well.
Cloudy
Abbie came over a few minutes.
Old cow just about the same.
Pleasant.
Henry went over to E.B. Abbie came over to have Joe go to help up her cow. Joe was over to Charlies.
Warm. Up to 70.
Joe went over to Charlies. Ellen and C. came up and C. helped kill the sick cow.
Pansie went and had her chin fixed. Hurt her bad.
Charlie Smith and Aaron Stores came over to see about fence.
Pleasant.
Joe went over to Rochester to get some grain.
Ellen came up a few minutes. Charlie went to Rochester and stoped here.
Cloudy.
George March from Hancock came here to see about buying wool. He gives 36 cts a pound.
I washed some.
Joe went for paper. I had a letter from Florence.
Pleasant.
Joe went to Bethel and carried cow hide.
The old big sheep had her twins lambs this morning.
Pleasant.
Uncle Samuel and Jennie came over. Pansie went and had her chin fixed at the Dr.
Chickens began to hatch today.
Pleasant.
Joe fixed fence between Stevens and us. Mr. Stores put his horse in barn.
Ellen drove up with some butter so if Joe went to village.
Cloudy and cooler.
Joe ploughed the garden today. Drawed three loads of manure. Joe dug some greens.
The little black heifer one [startled] up had her calf.
The little brown heifer had her calf before Joe went to bed.
Joe went over to Ellen to bootcher. We had greens for the first time.
Pleasant. Abbie came over a few minutes. Tea.
Pleasant.
Ellen and Charlie went over to Rochester. Pansie went with them. I cleaned rack in pantry.
Joe went over and helped Edd Rix fix fence.
Cloudy.
Joe helped in afternoon fix fence up in Stevens.
Rainy and cloudy.
Joe fixed fence in forenoon in Stevens.
Ellen and C. came up. They hired a [D]eering fellow.
All the help went home at noon from fence work.
Rainy and cloudy all day long.
Turned out cows for first time. Joe fixed fence.
I cut Joe's hair.
Rainy.
Joe went to Randolph, carried egg case and carried some besides the case of 30 dozen for Ellen.
Ida [Mlel]eabougher came up and got calf. Paid 50 cts.
Pansie went over to the Dr.
Rainy.
Ellen came up just a minute. Joe went and got mail.
Cloudy and rained some.
Charlie Smith drove over sheep and cattle and Aaron Stores' sheep and cattle came also.
Charlie brought some beans.
Joe fixed fence next to mowing.
Cloudy and rained some.
All got colds.
Took off two hens each, had 10 a piece at night. Joe went and got mail. Letter from Larette and paper.
Rained a bit.
Joe fixed line fence between Henry and us in afternoon. H. helped.
Pansie went over to Ellen's today to stay till Sunday.
Cold.
Joe and Charlie sheared sheep for Henry.
Cloudy.
Joe finished shearing sheep for Henry.
Charlie and E. came and brought Pansie home.
Joe sheared four sheep today and 10 yesterday.
Cold and pleasant.
Joe fixed fence on line between Henry. I washed a little.
At night drawed out manure for potatoes.
Cold and pleasant.
I rode over to Ellen's.
Joe drawed out manure today.
Joe planted some peas and lettuce. Father planted sweet corn and pole beans.
Pleasant.
Uncle William and Mr. Durkee called here. Joe drawed out manure.
Joe ploughed a little for potatoes for first time.
Joe went over and got paper.
Rained hard.
Joe went over to Rochester for grain. Ellen and C. came up and got ther [oxfreds].
Pansie went down to school. Father and I got up sheep.
Ril pleasant.
Joe sheared a few sheep. [warm]. Joe fixed some fence.
Ril pleasant.
E. and C. came up. C. helped finish.
Joe finished shearing sheep.
Warm and quite pleasant.
I went with Abbie and Pansie over to see the Dr. for P.'s chin. Joe planted cucumbers.
Pleasant.
Joe helped Henry start his piece for potatoes.
Carl and Anna and Emma came over. I washed some.
Pleasant.
I don't feel good. Men folks planting potatoes. Howard came home afoot.
Pleasant.
George and [Ligher] Wilber took ther sheep over. I don't feel good. They went over to E. and staid.
Rained some in afternoon.
George Pember went back today.
Pleasant.
Pansie went and had her chin fixed.
Howard came over and Carl and staid to dinner.
Joe went over at night to Rochester and got grain.
Cloudy.
Joe went over to Will's a few minutes.
E. and Charlie came up and stoped a few minutes.
Henry went and carried Howard to East Bethel.
Pleasant.
Joe drawed out manure for potatoes up in lot.
Abbie came over a few minutes.
Rainy.
Joe dug up some pipe and it was froze under steps.
Charlie stoped here, brought up a butter box.
Mr. Sweaney came to look at calves.
Pleasant in forenoon and rained hard at night. Joe ploughed some.
Pleasant in forenoon and rained a little at night. I rode over to Abbie's in lumber wagon after the plough shovel.
They planted some potatoes.
Pleasant.
Ellen came up home a few minutes. Charlie worked over to Henry's today.
Finished planting up in lot.
Warm.
Joe ploughed out north for beans. Vince Hurburt and [D]illy came over.
Charlie worked for Henry today. They finished Henry's potatoes.
Rainy and cloudy.
Joe took the two calves up to W. Rochester. Sweany had them.
Rainy.
Charlie and Aaron Stores were out.
Joe and I rode over to Ellen's.
Hot. Hot.
Joe went up to Randolph, carried one box of butter and some eggs. Got 18 dozen ( ) for eggs 17 for butter.(probably 17 cts/lb., T.R., 1996)
Hot.
Joe went over and helped Charlie fix fence. P., 1996) went over with her [].
George and [Ligher] Wilber took out cattle and sheep today. Hot. They staid all night here.
Hot. Hot.
Joe went over and carried Will some grass seed and up to village and got wire for George's fence.
George and L. staid here all night.
Hot. Hot.
George and Ligher went home today.
Pansie went to the Dr.'s.
Rainy and hot.
Joe fixed water and set barrel so the water will run.
Hot. One of the hottest days.
Joe went over and helped Lyman get in his cattle. He paid him 25 cts.
At night it rained and thundered.
Cloudy and rained some.
Joe carried off the wool. Got 33 cts. a pound. About [93] , 1996.) pounds.
Ellen and C. went with the[id].
Cloudy.
Joe and I went over to E. , 1996) a few minutes.
Rainy all day.
The old black cow had her calf. Joe went and got it.
Rained some.
Pansie went and had her chin fixed.
Joe fixed fence by garden.
I washed a little.
Pleasant.
I went down to village. Got a web of cotton. Carried 2 boxes butter, 12 dozen eggs. Joe got his shoes.
Pansie went a berring.
Warm. 85.
Joe helped Henry fix fence out to the Rix place. We had a shortcake and beef steak for dinner, hot.
, 1996)Warm and some cloudy.
Joe went over to Will's and got a little barley.
Ellen and C. came up, staid just a few minutes.
Rainy.
I washed a little and sproted some potatoes.
Joe sproted potatoes, went and got 20 fish.
Cloudy. rained a little.
Joe cut a little grass in dooryard.
Henry came over and mowed where we are to plough.
Pansie went a berring.
Quite pleasant. rained a little.
Joe went over to Rochester and got some grain.
Pansie went and had her chin fixed.
I washed a little.
Pleasant.
Joe went off with red and white heifer.
Joe went and got paper and went over and got Charlie's cultavator.
Pansie went a berring. I put up a quart for her.
Pleasant and hot.
Joe and Father raked and Joe got in hay on piece he going to plough for barley.
Pansie went over to Dr. They put string in sore and P. went down to Fuller's.
Edd Norton and a man from Rutland came to buy cows. They eat dinner here.
Hot, cloudy, and rained a little.
Joe went to village, carried 3 boxes butter. Carried off the old rooster. Got some beef shank.
Rainy all day.
I do not feel well.
Hot and pleasant.
Joe ploughing for barley.
Ellen came up, staid just a jif.
I do not feel well. Pansie done the work and went a berring today.
Hot. Hot.
Pansie and all her folks went up to Randolph to the Fourth.
Joe went up to Will's and got plough shovel to plough out the potatoes.
Hot.
Joe went and carried a letter over to be mailed to Stephens cattle tester.
Hot. Hot.
Pansie went over to Dr.
We carried out the old stuff out of the cellar. Went up to Bundy's place and got a little wood. Charlie went to Rochester and stoped a minute.
Abbie went down to [Vets] to carry butter. Stoped and got lantern.
Verry warm.
Mr. Stephens from the Junction came tonight to test cattle.
Joe went over and got the mail and went over to Ellen's.
Warm.
Joe went and carried Mr. Stephens to Bethel.
Ellen and Charlie came up in the morning.
Mrs. Rix came to her place tonight. Verry warm.
Hot.
We started to go Ellen's and saw them berring so they came home. Rained hard just as they started.
Pleasant and hot.
Pansie and all her folks went to circus today. Joe finished ploughing. I washed some and sit out turnip plants.
Cloudy some and verry warm.
Mended pipe today and that is all.
Pansie went to the Dr.
Mark came over and got the old cat and her kittens.
Warm. Hot.
Joe went over to E. and she came up a jif to get sugar and I did not have any. Joe carried her a piece.
Joe and I went about four to Rochester. Got Major shod. I got gingham fos skirt, carried my watch for repairs.
Warm.
Joe cultavated the potatoes out north, went and got the mail, and carried E. some sugar. Thundered at night and rained.
Quite pleasant. Not as warm.
Joe went up to Will's and got the barley.
Mother went over to E.
Pleasant.
Joe went down to village.
Fuller and his wife stoped here a few minutes.
I shrunk gingham for my skirt.
Joe carried four boxes butter. Got the barrel at George Marches.
Cloudy.
Joe went and helped Henry cultavate potatoes. Howard is at home.
Cloudy.
Charlie and E. gone to Montpelier to circus. I keeping house for them. E. brought Mother up and got me last night.
Pleasant.
Ellen brought me home this forenoon.
Joe [bolting] in barley.
Cloudy and thundered.
I went out to Mrs. Rixes.
Joe went a fishing, got 34. Pansie washed and dressed them all.
Ril pleasant.
Joe finished barley piece.
We went over to Ellen's in evening.
Got a letter from Charlie.
Ril pleasant and cool.
Sold the old black cow's calf. Got 7.50.
Joe worked for Charlie in afternoon. Fine hayday.
Ril pleasant.
Joe went to Bethel with butter and eggs. Got 18 for butter, 20 cts. for eggs a dozen.
Got some grain for Charlie. Got a web of cotton for me to make sheets.
Cloudy.
I went over to E. a few minutes, carried a piece of meat Joe got yesterday for her.
Charlie came up and got freezer, 1996) and Pansie went home with him.
Rainy.
Joe went an got the horses shod.
Edd Kent came over to salt the stuff today.
I washed some.
Showery.
I put up a can of cherries and ironed some.
Joe fixed fence.
Cloudy in forenoon, quite pleasant.
Joe went over to Charlies. Pansie came home with him.
Pleasant.
Joe worked over to Charlies, got in six loads. Went at nine and staid the rest of day.
Pleasant. Warm.
Joe worked over to Charlies. I washed Pansie's dress.
Pleasant in forenoon, cloudy in afternoon and rained a little. Ellen had Major and went to Bethel with butter. Joe took [him] over and worked.
Some gypsys went up through here today.
Joe got in some bunches of hay at night rained.
Rainy, rainy all day long.
I did not sit up any.
Rainy most all day.
Joe went a fishing, got about 33.
Quite pleasant. Cooler and cloudy.
Joe went up to his old place and up to Will's.
Pleasant.
Joe went half past nine and worked for Charlie. Got a letter from Aunty Lorette.
E. sent up bread and pie.
We churned.
Ril pleasant.
Joe worked for Charlie.
Pleasant, a little cloudy in afternoon.
Joe worked for Charlie.
Joe went over and helped C.
We churned and Ellen went to village with major. Didn't rain here, but did over there.
Rainy.
We had peas and beets for dinner. E. dint come home.
Hot. Rained just a little.
Joe went this afternoon over to Charlies. I washed a little.
Hot.
Edith and Charlie came over and went up in pasture. Had a thundershower. Started about half past five for home.
Joe worked over to Charlies. Went about 10.
Charlie finished haying. Joe went over and got in one load after he went over.
We put the viniger barrel down cellar.
Quite pleasant. Hot.
Charlie and Edd Rix began haying up here today. Joe went over to Rochester to a reunion.
Charlie Atwood and his brother came here.
Charlie and Edd worked in forenoon. It rained in afternoon. Ellen came up at noon and rode back. J. and I went over and got paper and saw Verna's children.
Rainy. Cloudy.
Joe went to Bethel. Went about three and at 8 it rained and thundered. He came about midnight.
Ellen came up about 8 and Pansie went home with her.
Joe got a sack of flour.
Pleasant.
Ellen and Charlie came up and they raked some hay.
Ellen took Major home to go to village tomorrow.
Pleasant.
Hayed. Git in 8 loads.
Cows got out.
I washed a little.
Rainy.
Charlie and Edd came. Got in a bit of hay. Rained.
E. came and took Major up.
J. and I went over at night and got mail. Rained.
Cloudy and rainy.
Joe went and got lumber at Lower mills.
Cleared off some at night.
Pleasant.
Charlie and Edd came up this morning and hayed.
Pleasant.
All Hayed.
Ellen and I went over to Rochester. Got a bag of grain.
Uncle Monroe came tonight.
Pleasant.
Fine hayday. Worked late. All hayed.
Cloudy some.
Joe went over and helped Charlie get in oats. Ellen and Charlie came up and Charlie too home a load of bedding.
Pansie went down to Mr. Bowens to try on dress.
Pleasant.
Folks haying.
Uncle Monroe went over to Will's.
Pleasant. Only had a shower.
Dora and her husband and little girl and Charlie Smith and Lizzie's family were here.
Brought dinner and eat out.
Ellen came up.
All hayed.
Pleasant. All hayed.
Pleasant.
Ellen and Pansie gone to Bethel with Major.
Uncle Monroe came back today. Does not feel verry well.
All worked at haying.
Pleasant.
Ellen and P. came back and took Major home and P. went back with Ellen.
Uncle Monroe started for home.
All haying.
Cloudy.
Did not rain till night. They hayed.
Edd finished work tonight for C.
Cloudy and rained some. Edd went from here this morning going to Camp Meeting.
I found one of my leghorns dead on nest.
Pleasant.
Joe and Charlie hayed.
Henry paid Joe for shearing sheep today.
Cloudy.
Charlie came up and went to Rochester and got [Duey] shod.
Joe went to Bethel.
I do not feel well.
Cloudy.
Charlie came up and patched barn.
Pansie came home with Charlie. I do not feel well.
Howard went back to East Bethel.
In evening it rained hard and thundered and lightened hard.
Pleasant in afternoon, rainy and cloudy in forenoon. Joe [tapped] Ellen's shoes today. Howard came back with his father and came over here.
Pleasant.
Joe went over to Ellen's.
Emma and Anna went over to stay with E.
Pleasant.
Charlie hayed here. Got about through.
I paid him $20.
Rainy. Rainy.
Rained hard all day long.
Cloudy and rained in forenoon
Ellen and C. came up. J. and C. went and got some meat (fish).
Ellen and C. staid to supper.
I washed
Is quite pleasant rained hard in night
Got Pansie ready for school and she came back thought school dint keep.
Joe went with eggs and butter got 25 for eggs 18 for butter.
Rainy some and cloudy
Pansie went to school.
Henry and A. went to Randolph and mother went with them.
Cloudy
Ellen and C. came up and got lumber waggon and C. went to saw mill got us 50 pounds of meal at Rochester.
Joe went for mail.
Ellen told me Jennie Pember was sick.
Pleasant
I cleaned bedroom and went out to Mrs. Rixes and got a few berries.
Abbie came over a little while.
Pleasant
Father dug potatoes.
Pleasant.
Joe went up to Will Pembers got some plumbs up to Tuckers.
Pleasant
I washed today. Joe went to village with butter and eggs. Eggs 25.
Rainy all day long.
Rainy and cloudy.
Ellen came up and changed waggons. Charlie and E. are going to Randolph.
Ril pleasant.
Father and Joe dug potatoes at night. Joe and I went and got paper and went over to Ellens.
I put up plumbs.
Pleasant.
Joe went over to Will Pembers and worked got out logs.
Abbie came over a little while and went up to Bundys. Carl and Lida staid here.
Rainy Cloudy all day.
At night I rode out to Mrs. Rixes.
Cloudy.
Joe went over to Wills got some more plumbs.
Rained some cloudy all day long.
Rainy.
Mary dint carry the schollars all staid at home up here. I put up plumbs.
Joe went and got mail got a postal from Aunty Lorette.
Warm cloudy.
Pansie went to schol and dint get home till ril late.
Charlie and E. rode up and got horse rake stoped just a minute.
Joe went to village with butter and eggs.
carried an express package for Mrs. Rix for Della.
Rainy.
Charlie Smith came over and Dr. sheep. rained hard.
Pleasant.
Joe and father dug potatoes.
just at night went over and got mail and went over to E.. E. going to Randolph for mother tomorrow.
Cloudy.
Father and Joe dug potatoes and Joe stacked some beans.
Cloudy in forenoon. Pleasant in afternoon. I finished stacking beans.
Pansie got dinner.
Joe worked up to Wills.
Pleasant.
Ellen came and brought mother home. We had chicken for dinner.
Cloudy and cold and rained in forenoon.
Joe went to village brought home 2 wrappers for me to try on. I washed and dont feel very well.
Cows got out and Howard drove them up.
Pleasant.
Joe went and got Ellen. I do not feel well she baked pies.
Joe and father dug potatoes.
I dont feel good.
Joe sorted and carried down potatoes.
Pleasant.
Joe went over and got Charlies mowing machine to cut hay and got mail.
Ril pleasant.
Father dug some potatoes. Joe cut barley.
Ril pleasant warm.
Auction over to Mrs. Rixes.
Mrs. Fuller came over and staid here. Charlie and E. went and stoped here.
Joe worked up to Wills.
Pleasant.
Charlie and E. came up. C. drawed in barley they raked and got it all in.
Lyman stoped here and paid Joe.
Pleasant.
I washed a little. Joe went up to Hancock and got 2 pigs for us and one {fop?}. Ellen paid $2 a piece for them.
Pleasant.
I went over to Ellens she papered her bedroom overhead. Mother had a postal from Anty Lorette saying Florence had a girl baby.
Abbie came over this {eve?} to get a few things she going to Montpelier tomorrow.
I got a hard cold.
Mother gone over to Abbies to stay tonight.
Pleasant.
Abbie and Henry gone to Montpelier today.
I dont feel verry well got a cold.
Pleasant.
Joe picked apples and at night went over to C. to get express wagon to go to Randolph tomorrow.
Pleasant.
Joe went to Randolph got the mattress carried butter got 22cts a pound.
Ril pleasant.
Joe worked over to Wills.
Pansie went up to Bundys to pick butternuts at night.
Ril pleasant.
We had boiled {victuals?} Charlie Smith came and got his cattle. Ligher Wilber drove down he a few minutes.
Ellen and C. drove up stoped just a jif.
Ril pleasant.
Ellen and I went down to village. I got me a wrapper warm and pleasant. Carried 12 dozen eggs got 25. per dozen.
Ril pleasant.
Joe went over and fixed Ellens mop board in forenoon in afternoon we got in all our vegetables.
Pleasant.
Joe worked over to Wills.
Cloudy and showery.
At night we went and got mail and went over to E. Got our Sears and Roebuck book.
Pleasant.
Joe worked over to Wills came home by the way of the village got some meal.
Ril pleasant.
We finished {geathing [probably gathering]} apples.
Pansie went with Howard and Anna to pick butternuts.
Warm and pleasant.
Warm and pleasant.
Joe and I cleaned henhouse.
Pleasant.
Churned. Joe got some wood.
Pleasant.
Joe went to Randolph carried four boxes butter 21cts a pound.
Mr. and Mrs. Winn Whittaker came up a little while in evening.
Cloudy.
Mr. Sweaney came and looked at lambs.
Cloudy
Joe carried off the lambs five at five cts a pound. Dark and rainy,
Rainy in forenoon.
Dance out to Rixes. Pansie gone home to go.
Cold.
Joe picked apples out to Rixes with Edd.
We had boil victuals for dinner. Charlie came and got express waggon. Mr. Galland with him.
Fair and pleasant.
Charley Smith came after sheep today.
Fair and cold.
Churned twice today.
Pleasant.
I am sick in bed. Joe carried Ellen home this morning.
Pleasant.
Sold old black cow to Cha. {Hassett} for $27.
Joe went to Rochester for grain.
Pleasant.
Joe took C. mowing machine home. Ellen came up a few minutes. I am up but do not feel verry well.
Pleasant.
Quite pleasant and cool.
George and Ligher Wilber came after sheep today and also cattle.
Mr. Parrott came tonight to lay chimney over to Henry's.
Ril pleasant.
Joe went out to Rixes and got cider apples and at night went and got some for Edd to carry tomorrow to Randolph six barrels.
Pleasant.
Joe went to Randolph carried Edds apples and got a barrel of flour paid five dollars {?} got some meal 1.30 per hundred and got cracked corn. Carried 7 boxes butter got 21 per pound for it.
Pansie dint go to school got a hard cold.
Cloudy and cool.
Ellen came up to get Ned to help find fox. Joe went with her.
Rained a little and is growing colder.
Joe cut logs for mill and set a trap.
Pansie got new shoes and rubbers.
Is quite pleasant.
Joe worked up to Will Pembers. He fixing his shead.
Snowed a little at night, cold.
Joe worked up to Wills.
Rainy and cloudy in forenoon.
Joe took heifer over to Charlies, the two year old.
At night Joe and I went and got mail and went over to E., had sugar and snow.
Quite pleasant.
E. and C. and Mr. Galland came up a little while.
Snow Snow
It snowed hard last night.
Joe went and got the sheep and thrashed the beans out. Storms almost all day long.
Joe went to Bethel. Hard going.
Charlie carried Mr. Galland to take train. Pretty snowy.
Joe got some beef steak.
Snows some.
Joe got a hitch of wood. I washed a little.
Pleasant.
Joe went to cider mill. We put it down cellar.
He got a letter from aunty Larette. Paper had not come.
Cloudy all day.
Joe went up to Wills and got a keg to get cider in.
Pansies school finished today.
Cloudy all day.
Joe went to village with lumber waggon and got the rest of cider. Hard going.
He carried 2 boxes butter.
Pleasant.
Joe went over to Charlies and got [buck?].
Ellen and C. came up and staid a little while.
Cloudy and snowed some. Cold. Joe banked some of the house and doubled boarded back room.
I washed a little.
Cold
Coldest night we had. Pansie went over home it is [Em? (probably Emma's)] birthday
Joe been up to the woods.
Chilly and cold.
Joe finished banking house and banked hen house.
Cloudy
Joe drawed out manure.
Joe went over and got the mail at night. Warmer.
Chilly cloudy in forenoon but sun shone some in afternoon.
Ellen and C. came up. C. went over to Henry and got large kettle and scalding tub.
Joe gone over to Wills to work.
Pleasant.
Joe went over and helped Charlie bootcher. Got some liver.
Cool and pleasant.
Pleasant.
Joe went over and helped Mark load hay.
We churned.
Cool and Pleasant.
I do not feel verry well. E. came up just a jif.
C. took tub home. E. brought us some meat.
Joe went over to Rochester for meal.
Joe went over and helped Will butcher, brought home some meat.
Quite Pleasant.
Joe went and got Tom shod.
Warm and pleasant.
We killed 15 chickens today.
Henry killed ther hog. Sam Bowen helped and also killed his.
Pleasant.
Went to Randolph with chickings got 14 cts pound. Got some meal.
Fair and warm.
[Chored lots] today went to [trap] had nothing.
Warm and [good]
Fixed barn dore today went over to Henrys at knight.
Fair and Pleasant.
Got to hitches of wood cut one more and a [log].
Cloudy and cool.
Went to Bethel with eggs. 22 doz got 36 cts.
Snows some when I come home.
Cloudy and rainy.
Rains hard all day. Fixed barn door, wind blows at knight.
Cold, cold.
Joe put the double window on the west window. cold.
In evening all of Henry's folks, E. and C. came up had lunch.
Cold and bright.
Joe went and got paper and a postal from Florence.
Cloudy and at night rained hard.
Joe went and got Major shod and got my new felt shoes $1.20 for them.
Chilly rainy at night.
Cloudy rained some and snowed some.
Howard came over a little while.
Pleasant.
Joe went over to Henry's and got kettle and scalding tub at night.
Went over to Charlies to get him to help bootcher.
Cold and pleasant.
We bootchered. E. and C. came up.
Pansie went home this morning to begin to studdy.
Howard helped get hog in.
Cloudy
I tried out lard. Joe went up and got some wood and one log. Took kettle home.
Quite pleas.
Charlie came up and helped chop.
I cleaned and cooked my sauce.
Howard got our paper.
Cloudy in morning and bright at noon.
Joe went to village carried 10 dozen eggs 36 cts. a dozen.
Pansie came over and staid all night.
Pleasant.
Charlie came up and choped.
Ellen came up in afternoon and staid till night.
I washed a little. P. here.
Stormy and rough all day.
Joe churned.
Stormy.
Charlie and E. came up. C. went out to Rix place and got a little hay.
Joe up to woods.
Stormy.
We made sausage had 26 pounds.
Cold and pleas.
Charlie came up to Rix place and got a load of hay. Joe went over with him.
Joe went up and drawed some logs.
I washed a little.
Cold.
I washed some white clothes.
Joe helped C. draw hay.
Cold night.
Cold and pleasant.
Joe and Charlie drawed hay. I do not feel verry well got cold yesterday.
Pleasant.
Joe went to village got Father's rubber boots $3.30. Ellen and C. came up to Rix place and got hay. Pansie came over and staid a little while.
Charlie and E. came up and got some more hay. Joe went up to village today sold 2 lockets for Pansie.
Pansie came over gain g. to stay all night.
Joe and Charlie drawed hay and that finished it.
Cloudy and warm,
Pansie and Emma came over. Joe went over and helped Henry saw a little while. Joe churned.
Pleasant.
Joe took two logs down and then went up and helped Will kill beaf.
ril pleasant.
Rough and stormy all day.
Stormy,
I do not feel good.
Joe went at night and got mail and went over to Charlies. Got letter from Aunty Lorette the first one since she went to Florida.
Not verry pleas.
I do not feel well. Joe made rack for sheep.
Quite cool. Sun shone some and snowed some.
Pansie came over. Joe went up to Wills got gr. beaf also got his sheep.
Quite pleasant.
Father does not feel verry well. Joe drawed logs.
Pleasant.
Joe drawed logs. Howard came over, brought a piece of liver. Father dont feel verry well.
Pleasant.
Warm and pleasant. Joe went to Randolph. Father dint go out.
I cleaned pantry. Joe came a little before five.
Warm and pleasant.
Joe drawed logs. I washed a little. Joe went for paper but it had not come.
Rainy and it thundered and lightened. Warm.
Joe went and got paper. Howard came over a few minutes at night.
Father does not feel as well.
Stormy and rough.
Joe went to village and to get Dr. for Father. Went over and got E. and C. Rough and windy but not verry cold.
Carried 4 dozen eggs got 25 cts. per dozen.
Pleasant.
The Dr. came up today to see Father.
Howard came over.
Ellen walked up poor track. Joe carried her home. Snowed hard before he got back.
I washed some and Joe drawed logs in forenoon.
Plesant.
Joe drawed logs.
Joe drawed logs in forenoon went and got mail got a calandar for me from Miss Holden then went to Rochester and got grain - got him some overalls. Father about the same.
Rainy and rough in forenoon.
I washed a little.
Chilly and it snowed some.
Joe went up to next place and helped Henry move machine down. sawed 1 1/2 hours in afternoon.
Snowed some and sun shone some. I set up all of last night with Father.
Pansie came over a few minutes.
Ellen and Charlie came up. Snowed and wind blows.
Henry sawed somewhere.
Ril cold.
Henry finished sawing. Ellen came up and brought Father's medicine.
Cold and pleasant.
Joe went up to Randolph carried six hens and sole alive got 9 cts. a pound. Carried 2 boxes butter.
These first 11 days of 1906 were written on the ending pages of the 1905 diary. Evidently she got a new diary and transferred to that by the 12th.
Thanks for your reply. I am including all the information I have about Mary Frances Pember and her family. The numbers correspond to Celeste (Pember) Hazens book of ca. 1936.
# 1. Thomas, b. County Hereford, England, d. 22 Sep 1711, New London, CT m. Agnes Way, 5 children (2 sons)
# 6. John, b. New London, CT, bef. 2 Apr, bap. 12 Apr 1696, d. 26 Jan 1782, Norwich West Farms Ae 86, bur. Plaines Cem. m. Mary Hyde, 12 children, (5 sons, 5 dau, 2 unk)
# 16. Elijah, b. 1728-29, d. 15 Mar 1812, Ellington, Ae 83, bur. Ellington Center Cem. m. Hannah Cross, children, 8 or more, (4 sons listed)
# 35. Samuel, b. 4 Jan 1750, d. 14 Mar 1826, Randolph, VT, Ae 76, m. ca. 1777, Esther Reade, 8 children, (5 sons) Samuel & Esther bur. Randolph Center Cem.
# 75. Samuel, b. 8 Jan 1795, Randolph, VT, d. 26 Dec 1874 bur. Randolph Cntr. m. Marilla Haskell, 8 children, (3 sons)
# 164. Andrew Jackson, b. 5 Apr 1835, d. 6 Jun 1906 bur. Randolph Cntr. m. 31 Aug 1862, Elsie Loraine Smith, b. 25 Jan 1835, d. 28 Mar 1906, resided in Bethel. ch (3)
# 281. Abbie Marilla b. 25 Jul 1864
-- Mary Frances b. 23 Oct 1868
-- Ellen Paine b. 26 May 1873, m. Charlie W. Wilson, res. Hilltop
Farm, Bethel, VT
# 281. Abbie Marilla, b. as above, d. unk. m. 24 Nov 1884, Henry Walker of Bethel. They celebrated their 54th anniversary in 1938. ch. (7)
Abbie Angeline, b. 3 Aug 1887, d. young
Howard Pember, b. 8 Feb 1890, res. Randolph, m. 20 Sep 1917, Nadine Scribner, 1 dau.
Pansy A., b. 15 May 1894, m. 28 Sep 1912, Charles C. Morse, 3 children.
Anna R., b. 31 May 1896, m. 25 Nov 1914, Ide I. Dearing, 1 son.
Emma Frances, b. 14 Nov 1898, m. 28 Jun 1917, Fred M. Davis, a farmer of Bethel, 4 children.
Lida May, b. 24 Feb 1903, m. 31 May 1914, Austin White, farmer-lumber dealer of Bethel.
Carl W., b. 8 Feb 1901, res. Springfield, MA, Emp. by electric company.
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