John William Sterling Journal: January-December 1853

Flyleaf “Put not off till tomorrow what can be done today.” Mr. John W. Sterling from Stratford, Conn. Presented by his mother for a Christmas present, 1853

1853 Journal Jan 1, 1853 Today is Saturday the first day of the new year. I received the book which I am now writing for a journal as a Christmas present and I intend to write down the principle events that happened. David Ogden has been spending the past week with me. I have enjoyed myself very much and we have been playing around the house and have had splendid time and Jimmy Mitchell has sometimes played with us.

[Transcriber Note: There are many misspellings in the early Sterling journals. These spellings have not been changed. Also his handwriting at times is very hard to decipher as it is the writing of an eight-year-old child when the journals begin.]

Jan 8, 1853 Today being Saturday Papa and I went down to Grandpa’s barn and worked nearly all the forenoon. Then we went up to Wheelers mill with one bag of corn and one of rye to be ground together for our horse because he is so old that he can’t bite it very well.

Jan 13, 1853 Today is snowing very hard and the people can’t hardly get along the street. Mr. F. Beardslee had a sled drawn around the streets making a path. Me and Papa have been making a sled for the snow is up to the fences and the mail did not come this morning and Delia is printing a book and I must tell the name of it and its name the house that Jack [built?]. It does no good to make paths for when you do the snow will come and cover it up and when Ann Lynch went out this morning she tumbled down and cut her knee and as how got before her and she said that he got before her and me and papa went down to the barn and I found that it was pretty hard work so papa was going up to the shop and so he push me down and [unknown word] me over.

Jan 15, 1853 Today is saturday the slaying continues very good and the wether [sic] is very mild for winter. Papa took all us children a sleigh riding and we did some errands for mother and I spent the rest of the day in the front room and then I went to slide downhill and Cordelia is not going to school any more and Miss [name illegible] says that she must come to school some pleasant day. I have just commenced Smith English grammer. [sic] I am in Decimal fraction. I generally do a portion of my sums evenings. I am almost through my spelling book.

Jan 21, 1853 A delightful day the snow which fell last week is still upon the ground and sleighing is tolerable good. Papa and I went to Bridgeport in the sleigh last week. General Pierce who is to be made President in the spring was travelling on the railcars with his wife and his only son the cars upset and the little boy 13 years of age was kill instantly. General Pierce took up his son and his hat fell off and he found his head crush and his father and mother grieve for him very much.

Jan 22, 1853 A fine day. Papa took all the family except my sister sleigh riding. We stopped at the new house for mother to look at it to see that all the shelves were put in the right places in the cubbords. The new house stands directly by the Episcopal burying ground. Uncle Henry has a singing school every Saturday night. Aunt Sarah receives 2 letters a week from Mr. Beach. They are sometimes written with red and blue and sometimes with black ink and people think they are going to get Married. Kitty has read the Bible and obtained the $1 that mother had promised and I am as far as the first Kings.

Feb 5, 1853 We are expecting Mary and Martha and Hal Flagg to spend this afternoon with us. We have had two rainy day during the past week which have taken nearly all the snow off the ground. It is now very muddy. Last Saturday Cordelia and I took tea with Jimmy Mitchell. Mother has had company two afternoons during the past week. Mr. Sedgwick and Miss Upson took tea with us last evening. I had much pleasure in talking with Miss Upson. She is my teacher and we all like her very much indeed. I am in the begining of interest in grammer. I have learned the Declension of verbs. Mother has had a letter from Sister. She is rather homesick.

Feb 7, 1853 Yesterday being sundy I read 10-12 verses. I am over 2 II Chronicles. Kitty gave me some pens and I made handles and a stand to put them in and I am now writing with it.

Feb 10, 1853 A very fine day. Father Mother and Aunt Sarah rode to Bridgeport. Ann Lynch has lived here one year yesterday. We had a little company last evening. Mother has had Mrs. Flagg her favorite here. Uncle Henry Plant has cuts [?] this winter instead of mother.

Feb 12, 1853 A very fine day indeed the sun shines beautiful. Papa and myself rode to Bridgeport. Libby Booth came here to make a visit for Kitty.

Feb 26, 1853 I have been sick this last week with a swelling on the back part of my mouth over my tooth. My face has been very much swelled and it has caused me much pain.

March 2, 1853 A fine day it did rain yesterday and day before. Mr Beach arrived this evening from Marcellus. He has come to take Aunt Sarah for his wife so by and by we will call him Uncle Beach. Mama has already got 3 kinds of cake for the wedding. Mr. Beach is staying at our house.

March 4, 1853 Mr Beach and Aunt Sarah are at Uncle Henry’s. They have a man making some boxes for their furniture. General Pierce inaugerted president today he is a Democrat and he was elected last fall.

March 8, 1853 Aunt Sarah got married to Mr. Beach. Papa says that the wedding went off beautiful. I made a immage of a lady of snow and a little dog. Grandma Judson family and Uncle Henry Plant and Mr. and Mrs. Russell and Uncle Ogden were at the wedding. Mr (illegible name) married them. Uncle Beach and Aunt Sarah went in the ten o’clock train to Marcellus.

March 15 A very fine day but it is very cold. My sister Cordelia Sterling’s birthday is very near and then she will be 7 years old. My sister Catherine is writing her composition. She began to write first when she was 10 years old and she is now 11.

March 22, 1853 The weather is very fine and the sun shines beautiful like Spring. We feel very lonesome without Aunt Sarah and sister Sarah, but we expect Sister Sarah soon.

March 25, 1853 Today being exibition and examination to my sister Catherine. Composition was readed by Emeline Potter from Chicago. They had some splendid pieces to speak at the exibition which was in the evening we had a snow squall at noon.

March 28, 1853 Catherine my sister is writing a letter to Uncle John Plant. She has written 3 pages and one half. We are all going to Bridgeport today.

March 30, 1853 Uncle Daniel Sterling died today. He was taken worse very suddenly though he has been sick as much as a year.

April 1, 1853 We have had a very pleasant time April fooling. Sister came home yesterday. She brought me a beautiful writing desk. She gave Catherine a beautiful hymn book and she gave Cordelia a dry slate and a book.

April 4, 1853 I am now writing in a thunder shower. This is the first thunder shower we have had this season. This is Election day. The Democratic had the greatest votes. It has rained nearly all day. We have now very pleasant times since Sister came home. Papa was moderator at the town house after diner Papa sent me after some peanuts.

April 5, 1853 Very unpleasant day it did rain all day. Tomorrow we are invited to Cousin Frederick Sterling’s wedding. He is going to be married to Miss Barnam.

April 6, 1853 This morning it began to sprinkle a little first and then it rained at different times during the day. It was 2 o’clock we were just going to the wedding and then it began to rain and then we could not go. We have had an unusually large number of April showers this month. I do not remember when we have had so many before.

April 14, 1853 Quite a rainy day, thunder showers at half past 4 o’clock. Sister Sarah expects company this afternoon and the grass looks very green after these showers. We have two or three bushels of apples in our cellar. Miss [name illegible] Booth expected go to New York this morning. Papa and I generaly go out to the barn directly after breakfast and cut hay with a cutting machine.

April 15, 1853 Today being Friday a very fine day. I have been assisting Papa at makeing fences.

April 23, 1853 A very fine day indeed. Danny Holden and his mother went down to New York this afternoon at 1 o’clock he came Thursday night yesterday we took tea with grandmama.

April 25, 1853 very unpleasant day

May 3, 1853 Very pleasant day it has been very pleasant during the past week or so. We have had weights put in our two parler windows. Mr Vance has been doing the work. He is now enlarging my room.

May 4, 1853 Very unpleasant day large drops this morning but still I think that it will rain.

May 5, 1853 Very pleasant day the sun is up bright. I think that Issiah Norris [name illegible] about 12 years old will come to see me at Norwalk on the New Haven railroad. The bridge was opened and the cars going at the rate of 20 miles an hour. The cars going so swift it gave a leap to the weather [?] side of the bridge fell down in the water and bringing along the locomotive, baggage car and two passenger cars the watter was about 15 feet deep.

May 9, 1853 Kitty is 12 years old today. I gave her 12 kisses. On the 12th of May is my birthday.

May 10, 1853 My birthday is very near. I expect that I shall have good many [?] gifts.

May 12, 1853 I am 9 years old today. Mother gave me a present which was a bible to look out the text with. I expect one from Delia.

May 13, 1853 Very pleasant day the sun has came out bright. This afternoon I am going to see Jimmy Mitchell. They are building a addition to there house. Our apples have lasted to this day. I am delighted with my new room. I think it the pleasants in the house. We have a new red carpet and [illegible] for our dining room.

May 16, 1853 Very pleasant day. The sun is out bright as most days. Uncle Ogden came up today. I found my knife the other day.

May 17, 1853 Yesterday and today has been the warmest days this summer. Kitty is sick today she has a earache. I feel very sorry for her.

May 19, 1853 Very unpleasant day. We went to Bridgeport and when we got there we went to a store and bought ice cream and then came home. Miss Polly Tomlinson is building addition to her house in the NW part.

June 1, 1853 Fine growing weather. This is the first day of summer.

June 2, 1853 It is 18 years today since my Grandmama Plant died.

June 3, 1853 Very pleasant day. Sister Sarah spent the day in New Haven.

June 4, 1853 There was a very severe thunder shower last evening. There were 2 very hard claps of thunder which appeared very near us. One of them struck Mr. (name illegible) pole in his yard.

June 9, 1853 Very pleasant day. We have had very pleasant days after the last thunder shower. I like my room very much. I have been employed in the shop making things for my sisters.

June 11, 1853 Very pleasant day. The summer is up to [heat?] and 2 acres facing to the sun.

June 13, 1853 Very pleasant day I have enjoyed myselve very much. I think my room looks very well. Papa and Mother and Kitty are going to Marcellus.

June 15, 1853 Papa and Mama and Kitty have gone to Marcellus. They started in the 10 o’clock train. Nobody but my selve and Sister Sara and Delia stayed home.

June 24, 1853 Very pleasant day. Rather windy this morning. Mr Mitchell house is improved since he has built addition to it and now it looks very well.

June 25, 1853 Today being saturday all the family went to Bridgeport but sister and she had a headache. Miss Bourrel [?] rode up with us and is going to stay over sunday.

June 27, 1853 Very unpleasant day. Rain rain rain. I don’t see as it will ever stop. In my arithmetic I am over to [illegible].

July 4, 1853 I had 4 pct of firecrakers. Jimmy Bonnel spent the day with us and his sister Dianther. I spent a very happy day.

July 7, 1853 Very pleasant day. The sun is very hot. I expect to hear people struct by the sun it is so hot. Miss Polly Thomer our next nabior. She gave me a shilling the other day.

July 12, 1853 Very hot day. The pears are most ripe. School begins on the 18th. We took a ride this morning. Pappa is getting in his hay.

July 16, 1853 Very pleasant day. 2 or 3 showers in the afternoon. We rode to Bridgeport in the morning. We left Sister at Cousin [name illegible] Bunnell’s. Cousin Thomas died this morning. Monday school begins.

July 23, 1853 Very unpleasant and rainy day. I have been making a bow gun. [?]

July 27, 1853 Very pleasant day. We rode to Bridgeport this morning. Sister Sara to New Haven with two other [ladies?] from New York. We have had some rain for the last two days.

July 28, 1853 Very pleasant day. Sister Sarah returned this morning.

July 29, 1853 Very pleasant day. We expect some company who have been staying at New Haven.

July 30, 1853 A fine day. Mother and myself went to Aunt Mary’s. Papa has gone to a fishing excersion. I hope that he will have a pleasant time.

Aug 8, 1853 Fine day. Today Papa received a letter from Aunt Cornelia. She is in California.

Aug 9, 1853 Very pleasant day. Aunt Ann spent the day with us.

Aug 11, 1853 Very pleasant day. Aunt Cornelia. I bought a fishline.

Aug 12, 1853 Very pleasant day. This morning the thermometer was up to 80 and at 1 o’clock it was up to 91. Last night it was the hottes night in this season. The mosquitoes are very bothersome indeed.

Aug 15, 1853 Very pleasant day this morning the barometer was up to 88. I have been absent from my Sunday School class but once this summer. I resite in a question book to Miss Burton. Uncle Sherwood is building a large house in Pequonik. Aunt Ann broke up housekeeping in the spring and boards at the Stanly house in Bridgeport. Sister Sarah and Catherine are taking French lesons of Professor Edwards.

Aug 17, 1853 I was prevented from going to school this afternoon by the rain. it rained tremendously this morning. We have had very severe rains this summer. We are afraid some sickness will come after this. There is a few cases in the sothern part of the town. We have an addition of ducks. Cousin Matilda came up yesterday.

Aug 19, 1853 A fine day only it is so hot. Tomorrow is the anaverssary of my parents marage. I hope we will have a pleasant time. We are going to have it in the front room. Papapa and Mama took tea with Mrs. Walter. Myself and Kitty attended the party at Mrs. Charles Booth’s.

Aug 20, 1853 A fine day only it is so hot. Aunt Mary gave me a pie. Which I think we will have it for sunday. At half past 6 the celebration took place. We had cake, pineapple, almonds, peanuts and peaches. My dear sister Delia has got a bad coal.

Aug 23, 1853 Very pleasant day only it is so hot. David Ogden has just arived from New Haven and we expect him to spend some days with us. We expect to have some fun. His mother is staying over to Grandmama’s.

Aug 27, 1853 Very pleasant day. David Ogden is staying with us yet. We have had some fun with Jimmy Mitchell.

Aug 31, 1853 David Ogden and his mother returned to New Haven.

Sept 3, 1853 Uncle Holden and family came up and are staying with Grandmama’s. Cousin Eliza stayed at our house.

Oct 3, 1853 Today is Monday I believe. It is a very windy day. Yesterday I stayed home from school. Miss Burton my sunday school teacher gave me a book. For my good lessons and punctual attendance. My sister Sarah returned from New York on Friday. I have neglected my journal for a long time. Cousin Eliza has been staying here for 2 weeks. Sister Sarah has been staying at Grandmama’s for a week.

Oct 4, 1853 Very pleasant day indeed. Early this morning it was very cold. Father and myself picked at the grapes. Our peaches lasts us yet, many trees are not yet ripe. Vacation began yesterday and will last for 3 weeks.

Oct 5, 1853 A fine day. All the family rode to Bridgeport this afternoon and mother bought me a black cloth overcoat which cost $5.00. The streets in Bridgeport are very dusty and the wind high. We expect Grandmama tomorrow. She has been staying at Uncle Holden’s for 3 or 4 weeks in G--. And Uncle David has been staying most of the time with us.

Oct 6, 1853 Very pleasant day. For the last 4 days we have had an exceeding high wind. Grandmama has arrived with Cousin Elizabeth. Cousin Elizabeth went to G--- to fit Mary her sister off to school at Mount Holyoke. We have got peaches in abundance and today mother has made some peach sweetmeats. We have dried a large quantity for pies for winter. Last week and this we have had some pumpkin pies which are very fine.

Oct 7, 1853 Very pleasant day indeed. Mr. Tompkin arrived from Marcellus. He is the clergyman who preaches in that place. We expect Aunt Sarah and Uncle Beach today or next week. I assisted Mrs Tomlinson an old lady in walking in the street and afterwards payed her a visit.

Oct 8, 1853 Fine fall weather. I called on Mrs. Tomlinson again and stayed. We have no apples to gather this fall for the worms in the spring destroyed them all. We gathered enough apples to make 1 pie. Aunt Ann, who has been boarding at the Stanly house all summer long, has gone to housekeeping.

Oct 11, 1853 A very pleasant day indeed. We had a thunder shower last night. I slept through it. Kitty and Delia made a house of some shingles which they got out of the shop. Mr. Tomkins went down [?] this morning. Uncle Henry offered him $3.00 as a present.

Oct 12, 1853 Very pleasant day indeed. Only it is cold. But there are a great many black clouds today. We had a great time [illegible] the horse today. I guess he felt quite well. I have not been to see Mrs. Tomlinson today. Mr. Charles Tomlinson her son and his wife were there saturday. Mr. Frank Armstrong presented us some shugar caine.

Oct 14, 1853 A fine day. We had our carridge today. The rooster continues around the points west.

Oct 18, 1853 Very pleasant day indeed. We have got fine fall weether. Since I wrote my journal Uncle David has got marred and arrived with his bride last friday night. Aunt Sarah and Uncle Beach and Cousin William T. Plant arrived from Marcellus. The two former went to Cheshire.

Oct 20, 1853 Very pleasant day indeed. Uncle Beach and Aunt Sarah returned from Cheshire yesterday. We have had some shelves made for the dining room and for Kitty’s room and also a set for my room.

Oct 24, 1853 Uncle Beach Aunt Sarah and Cousin William went in the 10 o’clock train to New York. It rained slightly when they went the storm increased and towards evening it blew almost a hurricane. School commenced today.

Oct 27, 1853 Very unpleasant day indeed. It is very damp. Mr. Robert Booth was married yesterday. Papa has got his barn floor full of corn.

Oct 30, 1853 Rather a unpleasant day. Aunt Mary has had a headache all day. She was oblidge to come out of meeting this morning and stay at home this afternoon.

Oct 31, 1853 Very pleasant day indeed. We have got in all our quinces and have made all our quinces sweetmeat. Lalety Papa has got 3 sets of shelves 1 for Kitty’s room one for mine and a set of shelves also for the dining room.

Nov 5, 1853 Very pleasant day indeed. I have been over to see Aunt Elizabeth. I am invited over to Jimmy Mitchell this afternoon. The frost has remained on the ground.

Nov 21, 1853 Rather unpleasant day. I am going to New York today. I hope I will have a pleasant time.

Nov 22-23, 1853 Rather a pleasant day. I got home last night. I had a very pleasant time. I believe I must tell you my journey through New York. First I got out of the cars and took a omnibus and rode down to Uncle Holden’s. After I had eat my dinner we walked down two streets and took a omnibus and rode down to the chrystal Pallace. We stayed there till 6 o’clock. Then we took a stage and rode down to Uncle Holden’s. Then we had our supper and went to bed. Towards morning there was two fires. I will trace my journey on to the second day. After we had our breakfast we went all over the Bible house and then we went into an [illegible] and then we took a ride in Uncle Holden’s coach. All the rest of the afternoon it rained and so we stayed in the house. Next morning we went down to the battery and then all over a ship named Edwin Forest. And then we had our dinner and came home. We reached Stratford at half after 7 o’clock.

Nov 26, 1853 Very pleasant day indeed. I am invited over to Aunt Elizabeth’s to tea. I was invited over to Grandmama’s yesterday to dinner. I had a very pleasant time of it. We went down to Henry Booth’s yesterday.

[date uncertain] A fine day. It rained last night which I was very glad of because we had 10 pear trees set out in the garden and spruce trees in the yard.

Dec 4, 1853 Rather a unpleasant day. I have been in most all the morning putting up my things in the new room for mother to clean. The streets are very dry and the weather mild.

Dec 8, 1853 Very pleasant day indeed. We have very warm weather indeed. We have not had a snow storm yet nor a severe rain. We expect Uncle John and his wife and his baby John Henry.

Dec 16, 1853 Uncle John and his wife and his baby John Henry have really came. We are very glad to see them.

Dec 21, 1853 Very pleasant day indeed only it is so cold. Cordelia has got a very bad cold indeed which I am very sorry for. We have got very warm weather for Dec. I fell down on the ice and cut a gash on my right tempel and as soon as I came into the house mother took me down to Mr. Mcewen and then I had to have a plaster on it.

Dec 23, 1853 Very unpleasant day indeed. It has rained most all day. Uncle John and his wife and their baby John Henry has been making us a visit. Uncle [name illegible] and his wife Aunt Cornelia are in California yet.

30th Winter has really come. We have got very deep snow. Sister went to New York this morning. We had no school yesterday on account of the snow. This evening the snow is falling fast.

Dec 31, 1853 It is much milder today than yesterday but quite cold. Father and myselve had to make the paths although the snow quite soft. We took a sleigh ride this afternoon and bought me a cap worth 75 cents. I attended singing school in the town hall taught by Mr. Rich of Bridgeport; he charges 13 cents a lesson and each schollar buys a book which he charges 6 cents for. We have had two mariges in the family. Aunt Sarah’s and Uncle Beach’s and Uncle David and Lizzie. We have all enjoyed very good health during the past year for which we are very thankful. On the whole we have spent a very pleasant year and we hope the next will as much so.

Farewell to the old year, 1853