in the afternoon I recited in Grammar. Tuesday in Geography and
Grammar. Wednesday I had the pleasure of receiving two letters from
home; they were very unexpected. They enjoyed pretty good health. Papa
and Mama will visit us this fall. In the afternoon Miss McNeal visited
Miss Beecher and just at sundown she invited me to take a walk with
her and Miss Beecher on Prospect Hill; we had a very pleasant walk
indeed. When we arrived at the top of the hill Miss McNeal said that
she always liked to look at that little cottage under the hill; it
looked so rustic and retired, to which Miss Beecher replied that she
thought it was more pleasant to look at than to live in, a very true
observation I think. After a stay of some minutes we concluded to go
home. It was quite cool and we had no shawls with us. We went home and
Miss McNeal said it was time for her to return home as she was going
to Conference. She took leave of us and I spent the evening at Miss
Beecher’s. Friday I was examined in Geography. I missed very little.
In learning the State of New York, when we came to the rivers, I
learned that the Delaware River had its source from Lake Utstagantho.
I should have thought that I would have known where it arose as I have
lived close by the River. When I was coming here I saw the head of it,
but I did not know as it arose in any other place. After school I went
home and Miss Haine’s brother came there soon after. How happy I
should be to find one of my brothers there. Saturday was examined in
the rules of the school. Mr. Beecher was not at home and therefore he
did not come into the school as usual. Mr. Cornelius came into the
school for the last time. He explained to us the situation of other
nations, of the Heathen Idolators who never heard of a Bible. I think
as we live in a christian land we ought to look to the preservation of
our souls. Sunday I attended the Church of England. I think I never
heard so good a sermon in my life. He compared a death-bed repentance
to a man and his son. He said if you put it off till on your death-bed
it would not be received, for perhaps if we ever got well again we
would return to the world again and be as sinful as ever. He said it
was nothing but fear; it was not for the love of God but for the fear
of death, and he said if a man’s son was very disobedient to him he
would chastise him and his son would repent and promise to do so no
more, but it was only because he feared him; it was not because he
loved him any better than he did before
_Aug 26. 1816._ Monday I arose, studied my History lesson, went to
school, recited and began to write my Journal. In the afternoon I
learnt a lesson in History. Tuesday in the afternoon I recited in
Geography and in the afternoon I learnt a lesson in Grammar. After
school I went down to the Post Office, received a letter from my
parents. I was very glad to hear from them, including the death of one
of my cousins who died very sudden. Wednesday I had my holiday. I did
not attend school. In the afternoon I was making my frock. Miss
Hurlbert and Miss Stanly came and took tea with us. After tea we swung
a little while and I went home with them as far as the school house.
Mr. Frasure preached there that evening. He seemed very anxious to
have us all be religious and be saved. Thursday as usual I did not
attend meeting. Friday I was examined, missed a considerable. Saturday
I worked on my frock untill it was time to go to school. I was
examined. The definitions were read. Some were very good. Mr. Frasure
came into the school. He made an excellent exhortation, pointing out
to us the road to happiness. He said if we had a mind to be religious
we could leave all and follow Christ. It was nothing but our own
stubborn will that we did not. After school he visited at Mrs. Bull’s.
He gave us some excellent advice. He went to every one of us was very
particular and plain. He advised us what to do and how we must do to
be saved. Sunday I attended public worship. Mr. Frazure preached from
2 Corinthians 7th Chapter and 10th verse: “For godly sorrow worketh
repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the
world worketh death.” After meeting he came to see us again. He said
he could not bear to part with us without our having religion. He
invited us to go to meeting that evening as he was going to preach. I
went. Monday I came to school; was examined in Sacred History. I
missed very little. After I had recited I went home and wrote my
journal.
_Litchfield Sept 2, 1816._—Monday morning I recited a History lesson,
wrote my Journal and read it in the afternoon. Tuesday morning I
studied my Geography lesson untill school time. After I recited I
wrote copy hand untill school was dismissed. In the afternoon I learnt
a Grammar lesson. After school I went down to the Post Office;
received a letter from home. They all enjoyed pretty good health.
Wednesday forenoon, as usual; in the afternoon I had my holiday, but I
came to school two hours. After school I spent my time in writing.
Just at sunset Mr. Beecher came down to see us. He talked very
affecting. He said he could not make a very long visit with us at
present, but if we wished he would come in some time and pray with us.
We all joined in the request. I should be very glad to have him come
for I like to hear religious instructions. Thursday I recited my
Geography lesson in the morning and went home to write a letter. In
the afternoon I recited in Grammar and parsed. Friday I learnt a
Geography lesson in the morning. In the afternoon there was no school.
Saturday forenoon I was examined through the lessons of the week, in
the afternoon through the rules. Sunday I attended church. Mr. Beecher
delivered an excellent sermon pointing out the road to happiness. In
the afternoon I attended the Church of England. We had a very good
sermon. Monday recited a lesson in Sacred History, went home and wrote
a letter to my parents.
_Sept 9, 1816._ Monday forenoon, as usual. In the afternoon finished
my letter. After I came home from writing school I swung a little
while along with our new boarders. Tuesday morning I studied my lesson
untill school time. Then I went to school and recited a very good
lesson. Mr. John’s, Nancy’s uncle, came after her quite early in the
morning. He had brought two young ladies with him to stay as long as
Nancy did; very pretty girls I think and I find in becoming acquainted
with them they are two of the most amiable girls I ever was acquainted
with. Sarah and Minerva Hinkle were their names.
* * * * *
_Sept 24._ Monday morning I studied my History lesson, went to school
and recited very well. In the afternoon I studied the same. Tuesday I
learnt a Geography lesson in the morning: the afternoon a lesson in
Sacred History, as usual. Wednesday morning the same. In the afternoon
I was allowed but a part of my holiday because I staid out of the
house when it rained. After I staid two hours I went to writing
school. Thursday, as usual. Friday I attended school, recited a lesson
in Geography. In the afternoon was examined in Geography and Elements.
Received 2 credit marks for one and 18 for the other. Saturday was
examined in the rules, after which Miss Pierce read four verses; said
we must remember them or have a miss. The first was “What was sin? Sin
is any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God. The
sin whereby our first parents fell was their eating of the forbidden
fruit, the covenant being made with Adam not only for himself, but for
all his posterity. All mankind from him by ordinary generation sinned
in him and fell with him in his first transgression. By one man’s
disobedience many were made sinners. The fall brought mankind into a
state of sin and misery by one man sin entered into the world.” Sunday
attended meeting in the forenoon, but I did not Saturday afternoon. I
went to writing school. We were coming home and met my uncle. It was
very unexpected. He went to Mrs. Bulls and drank tea. Monday I did not
go to school. About two o’clock my uncle started for home. It was so
late that I did not go to school in the afternoon and there were no
lessons to get....
Friday it was general training and there was no school in the morning.
I went down to the school house and saw them on the parade. In the
afternoon I went down to Miss Jones, to see the sham fight. I liked it
very well. Saturday morning Miss Pierce said that the rules might be
called in the forenoon and be examined. In the afternoon I was
examined in Elements and Geography; did not miss in either. Sunday
Miss Marsh was quite sick and I did not go to meeting. Saturday Mr.
Brace read a little story about the beggar boy, how he met with a rich
gentleman, and as he looked very poor he asked him to go and live with
him and he would take care of him. He looked considerable out of
health too, but he would not. He endeavoured to persuade him by
telling him his name and where he lived, but in vain. The boy was
insensible of the offers made to him. The gentleman threw him down a
shilling. The boy caught it up without thanking him or giving him any
of his matches or offering to go with him. He went away and returned.
His companions slept with him that night as thoughtless as ever. While
Mr. Brace was reading it Miss Pierce made observations upon it. She
said it was the same thoughtless creatures that we are that appeared
the same in the Lord’s eyes as he did to the rich man; that the money
he gave him was like the blessings that we received every day. When
the gentleman asked him to live with him it was the same as when the
Saviour offers us eternal life. The school stood in prayer. Sunday
attended meeting....
_Oct. 26, 1816._ Nothing of importance has occurred this week. We have
got through our examinations; finished yesterday morning. Have been to
writing every night; began to paint free hand last night. Saturday
after the names were called Miss Pierce made an address to all the
girls; told them what to do when they got home. This week on Thursday
went to the Church to hear the Bishop preach. He did not come in
untill some time after the people got there. They sung untill he came.
The chorister had a great deal of trouble to get the young ladies put
in the singers seat and a great deal of trouble to make them sing
well. We had an excellent sermon. I was very much pleased with the
meeting. I expect papa will be here today. I shall be very much
pleased to see him. The next week after school I shall go to Salem to
see Miss Stephens. Mrs. Bull is going to Hartford while we are gone. I
expect to go to New Haven. I think I shall be pleased with the city as
I never was there. We arrived at Salem safe and met with a very
welcome reception at Mr. Steven’s. Were introduced to Mr. and Mrs.
Stevens likewise Margaret. I spent the time very pleasantly. Made a
great many visits; heard a great many beautiful songs and learned one,
The Frozen Widow and the Kiss.
JOURNAL FOR THE WINTER.
_Dec. 1, 1816._—Miss Pierce’s school commenced the 27th of November on
Wednesday. I was very glad to have school begin again, for I wish to
improve all my time, as I am going home so soon. In the morning Mr.
Brace called the girls to read and to have them explain upon what we
read to show to him Saturday. In the afternoon I recited in the
Elements and Geography. Mr. Brace said we must begin Elements again.
Thursday was Thanksgiving day. I attended meeting. Mr. Beecher
preached an excellent sermon. Friday I recited my lessons in Elements
and Geography. Mr. Brace gave our class 15 pages of Sacred History to
recite in the afternoon. There was a singing school in the evening but
I did not attend; it was so wet. Saturday all that wrote definitions
read them and ciphered the rest of the forenoon. Just before school
was out the stage came. Mr. Brace said that Miss Pierce had come. The
girls were so glad Mr. Brace had to leave off school before it was
time. I employed myself in sewing and studying in the afternoon and
evening. Sunday about as usual.
* * * * *
Friday morning as usual. In the afternoon I was examined in Geography
and Elements. Our class in Elements missed a great deal; did not get
through until almost dark. Saturday Mr. Brace read the certificates. I
had a very good one. After the rules were called Miss Pierce gave us
some very good instruction. She told us what would render us agreeable
to our companions. The heads Candor, Truth, Politeness, Industry,
Patience, Charity and Religion which if we would observe would lead us
to holiness.
* * * * *
_Dec. 14, 1816._—As usual ... Thursday evening Emily and myself
visited the Miss Jones’. We staid there all night. We had an excellent
visit; enjoyed ourselves very much indeed. Friday afternoon I was
examined. The evening I spent in knitting. Miss Jones was here a part
of the evening. Saturday after attending to the rules the time was
taken up with instruction. Miss Pierce asked us for what purpose our
parents sent us here. To learn and make respectable hereafter. How
were we to acquire it? By attention. But if we spent that time in
sloth and idleness what commandments were we breaking? We disobey our
parents and break God’s commandments. After that we read around in the
Bible and Miss Pierce explained it to us and told the girls their
faults. I spent the afternoon in sewing; the evening in writing.
_Dec. 22, 1816._—... Thursday evening Miss Waldo came to board with
Mrs. Bull. I spent part of the evening in writing. Friday was examined
as usual; the evening in knitting. Miss Harriet Baker, Miss Marrin and
Mary Landon spent the evening at our house; spent the evening very
pleasantly. Saturday after the rules were called we all read round in
the Bible and Miss Pierce explained to us what we read; that Christ
was both God and man; that he came into the world to save sinners and
all men through him might believe and be saved. If we should go to
Heaven we could not be happy because we did not love God. I spent the
afternoon in sewing; the evening in writing and reading. Sunday Mrs.
Bull excused me for not going to meeting. Mr. Brown came home with
Minerva from singing school; spent the rest part of the evening there.
_Dec. 30, 1816._—... Saturday we read in the Bible as usual. Miss
Pierce did not explain much as Mr. Beecher came in so soon. It was the
first time that he had been in to the school since it commenced this
last quarter. He read the 3rd chapter of the Lamentations of Jeremiah
where he wept for the daughters of my city.He said it was just so with
us. He did not think it would do any good for him to come into the
school; he had no idea that it would unless the Lord would look down
from Heaven and bless us. Sunday attended Church. The text was from
16th Chapter of Acts, 30th verse, “Sirs what, must I do to be saved?”
He said that we must repent and believe and explained how we should
repent and believe, but my memory is so poor that I cannot remember
it. I spent the evening in sewing and studying my History lesson. I
had five hundred and forty-two credit marks in a month:
One more week has passed away and I feel as if I had not improved it
as I ought to have done. Every day I am reminded of the shortness of
this life. I hope I shall improve the week better. Monday was examined
in Sacred History; in the afternoon in Grammar, but the class was sent
back; they recited so poorly.... Friday morning I was examined in the
Elements. We have not had so hard a lesson this winter; we missed a
very great deal; ... Sunday very pleasant. I attended meeting. Mr. B.
spoke so low I did not hear where the text was. He told how faithful
he had been to his people; he had preached to them in public and had
been around from house to house &c. &c.
* * * * *
_Jan. 14, 1817._—On Monday 6th I attended school; was examined in
Universal History; the afternoon in Grammar. I spent the evening in
sewing. Tuesday went to school in the morning; the afternoon was not
able to attend school. In the evening I went to Pierces. Miss Mary
read the life of the two sisters. It was very entertaining. If I had
the first evening I should have understood it much better. They were
very pious, amiable girls. There mother was a very vain woman. Their
father was a good christian; was very rich, but his wife squandered
away all of his property. The girls were married to very fine
gentlemen; they were quite rich. Returned home and studied my
lesson....
Saturday Mr. Brace read the life of Miss Nancy Hyde. She had always
been brought up with religious instruction. When she was ten years old
she was taken sick. She said she would be willing to die if it were
not for her brothers and sisters, father and mother, but she said that
the Bible said she that loved father or mother better than Me shall
never enter into the joy of the Lord. When she was in school she
always employed all of her time; she never would laugh in school, nor
even smile. She wrote excellent compositions and Mr. Brace read some
of her poetry, likewise some of her Journal, which was very good. In
the meantime her father died and her brother went into partnership
with somebody and was cheated out of all his property, so that she
went to teaching school to support her mother, but she did not teach
school long before she was taken sick; she was about twenty four years
old; she had no wish to live only to support her mother, for her
brother had gone to sea to make his fortune.
_Jan 15, 1817._ Week as usual.... Passed a pretty good examination for
me....
_Jan 26_, Monday afternoon recited in Rhetoric.... In the evening
Emily, Nancy and myself visited at Miss Pierces. We spent the evening
very pleasantly. Miss Smith and Miss Landon came in while we were
there asked Miss Adams to take a sleigh ride. She went and returned
just before we went home. Saturday Mr. Brace read a sermon from
Chronicles; if our parents were wicked and us also, their punishment
would be more if possible, and for that reason we had ought to be
religious like wise for the feelings of christians; if we should not
become religious until we grew old we should think that perhaps they
left the world because they had no pleasure in it and would not know
whether they had a good heart or not; they would be unhappy because
they spent their youth in such a thoughtless manner, but how the
reverse, those that remember their Creator in the days of their youth
they will be happy in their old age; they can think how they spent
their youth in loving and obeying the Lord? Many children whose
parents have not religion, by becoming pious themselves have been the
means of converting their parents. Sunday I attended meeting. It was
very comfortable, as we rode.
_Monday Feb 4, 1817._—I attended school as usual last week; have
generally spent the evenings in sewing and knitting and have recited
the same lessons during the week. Thursday we parsed and I got quite a
new idea—that _no_ was not an _adverb_ or _adjective_. I think Mr.
Brace has a great many queer ideas about parsing, but I expect it will
be parsed as a compound of not any. Friday I did not miss but half a
Quarter in both examinations. (O, what a smart girl was I). Friday
evening Miss Rowe went down to her uncle’s and I had to sleep with
Nancy, which I was not very much pleased with. I thought I had ought
to sleep with Emily; not give up my bed for Miss Waldo. Saturday the
whole school read round in the Bible the first chapter of Proverbs.
Miss Pierce asked what was the beginning of knowledge? The fear of the
Lord, but fools despise wisdom and instruction. My son, hear the
instruction of thy father and forsake not the law of thy mother; that
we must obey our parents; improve all of our time; it should be better
to us than the richest ornament; if we were enticed to sin by any of
our mates consent not. Wisdom crieth without; she uttereth her voice
in the streets. God is present every where; he calleth in the streets
and we will not hear; when we call upon him we shall not be heard; in
our distress and anguish then we shall call upon the Lord for mercy,
but he would laugh at our calamity and mock when our fears cometh for
they hated knowledge and not choose the fear of the Lord, therefore
they shall eat of the fruit of their own ways; when thou liest down
thou shalt not be afraid for the Lord would be our confidence. I spent
the afternoon in drawing on my map. Sunday I attended meeting. Mr.
Wyck preached a sermon from the Epistle to the Ephesians 22nd Chapter
and 1st verse on total depravity. I was very much pleased with it,
though many were not. I thought he explained it very well indeed.
JOURNAL FOR THE SUMMER OF 1817.
I arrived at Litchfield the 30th of August; was five days coming; had
a very pleasant journey and met with a very welcome reception at
Litchfield September 21st, 1817.
Monday I recited a lesson in Universal History in the morning. In the
afternoon I recited a lesson in Rhetoric. I spent the evening very
pleasantly with some of Miss Edward’s boarders.
Tuesday morning arose very early, attended to my usual studies,
attended school, recited a lesson in Elements. In Switzerland the
greatest curiosity was the Alps, being so high and always covered with
snow. The glaciers, vast bodies of ice, from which the lights reflect
in ten thousand brilliant forms. I recited a lesson in Rhetoric.
Likewise I recited a lesson in History in the afternoon. I spent the
evening very pleasantly. Wednesday, as usual, some of Mr. Beecher’s
boarders. Thursday and Friday my usual lessons. Friday afternoon was
examined in Geography, Elements and Rhetoric. I missed very little.
Saturday Miss Pierce gave us some very good instruction wishing us to
improve our time so as to satisfy our parents as she did all she could
towards our improvement. I certainly think she does and I am sure it
will be my endeavor to improve my time to the greatest advantage, so
that when I return home I shall deserve and receive the fullest
approbation of my beloved parents for the improvement of this summer.
Nothing is so desirable as the approbation of our parents.
Sunday I attended meeting. Mr. Beecher preached a very good sermon,
quite as good as he usually does, though I do not think he is one of
the best of preachers.
... We have received a considerable company this week. Saturday Miss
Pierce called us to read in the Bible, after which she gave us some
very good instruction, as she always does. Sunday I did not attend
meeting. The next week was spent as usual. Saturday after the rules
were called Miss Pierce went for Mr. Beecher. She said she wished us
to pay particular attention to what he said as he was not going to be
here but two or three Saturdays more; he was going a long journey
again, at which all the girls joined in a laugh. I suppose it was
because he was going to Boston to buy him a wife. The last three weeks
have been spent as usual. There has been a ball. The young ladies of
Miss Pierce’s school went—all that were over fifteen. I went through
my lesson and examination in Elements without missing for which I had
a number of additional credit marks. The credit marks were read last
week for the summer. I had 721 for what time I had been here. Miss
Pierce said I had done very well indeed.
_Monday Oct. 13th,._—Mr. Brace began his general examination in
chemistry this morning and will examine all his classes in a fortnight
from tomorrow, as school will be out at that time. How quick the
flight of time! It passed without my hardly knowing it. It appears as
if I had a great while to stay yet, but it will soon pass away, I am
afraid before I am prepared to go home. I do not know how I shall ever
repay my parents for their goodness in sending me to school, but I
think if I improve myself as much as they expect and to their
satisfaction they will want me to repay them no better. It certainly
must afford great pleasure to parents to see their children walking in
the ways of wisdom and prudence. I have received four letters from
home and feel very anxious to receive another, so as to know when
Zenos and Julia are coming: I have been looking for them as much as a
fortnight and was quite disappointed in not receiving a letter last
Saturday to inform me they were coming. I have been through my
examinations much to my satisfaction. This vacation Mrs. Bull was
going to take her niece home (Sarah Smith who lived in Weathersfield),
and they invited me to go with them and we would go and visit
Hartford, the Capitol of Connecticut. I was very much pleased with
going and accepted it of course; so we started off about 9 o’clock in
the morning with one of the dumbest old horses that ever was. Sarah
and I walked most all of the way for fear he would not live until we
arrived; however, we went through safe, but it was quite late in the
evening and very dark, so that we could not see where to drive, but we
at last arrived. Mrs. Smith soon recognized her daughter and after an
embrace with her, shook hands with us. We ate our supper (which was a
very good one). We soon retired to rest. We slept up stairs in a very
pretty room and the best bed that I had slept on since I left home;
and the room was very prettily furnished and everything looked neat.
The next morning we were awakened by Mrs. Bull. When we went down
there was a large fire built for Sarah and me, for we sat alone most
of the time. We had a very good breakfast and after breakfast Mrs.
Bull asked me if I had a mind to go to Hartford that day. I chose to
go and Sarah went with us. We spent the forenoon in trading with Mrs.
Bull. After Mrs. Bull had purchased all her stores for the winter we
went to Mrs. Welles, a friend of Mrs. Bull, and ate dinner, Charles
Welles’ mother, the one that Mrs. Bull promised to have meet Emily
when I was here before, but he was not at home. He had gone to New
York and was going from thence to Philadelphia. After spending a few
hours there we left the city for Weathersfield and arrived about dark;
spent the evening very pleasantly with Sarah until it was time to
retire. After a pleasant night’s sleep, I arose quite early with a
heavy heart as I knew that I was to leave Weathersfield with all that
it contained. After going down stairs and eating breakfast Mrs. Bull
informed me that she should return to Litchfield that day. Mrs. S.
urged her to spend another day, but nothing would stop her, she would
go. So about one o’clock in the afternoon I bid farewell to
Weathersfield and rode as far as Farmington (a beautiful town) and
called at Miss Roe’s a mantua maker and drank tea. She boarded at Mrs.
Bull’s last winter. When Emily was with me, she informed me a good
deal of what happened after we left Litchfield between Miss Waldo,
Mrs. Bull and Mr. Smith, and a quarrel she had in school. One morning
she went to school and it was very cold and she went to go in and
found the door was