The Journals of Martha E. McMillan

12 April, Tuesday. A nice Spring day. Two of our shearers back to day to finish out the sheep. Clayton at school alone. I am sorry to know that Jason is at home. O if Abraham Lincoln could have had his opportunities for an education how happy he would have been. Uncle Joe around. Casey and Russel still hauling. Alex [Pugh?] began plowing to day for the first in the field next the house. Paul at school. Mr Mc around home all day. Luella busy. I began cleaning wardrobes to be ready for house cleaning [proper?]. Jim L. took a trip to C– after dinner and brought out a fishing line and went _____ fishing. He also brought a letter from Homer – he was having a nice time with Mr. McKenzie and Fannie and the children at Port Jennis. He goes back to the Union Seminary at N.Y. to day. Our shearers finished after three. This Eve Jim L. and I at town a little while. The rest of the folks at home this Eve. Mrs. McClain called. 13 April, Wednesday. Clayton at Selma School. Jason at home. Alex plowing. Mr. Mc. and Uncle Joe around. Paul at our school. I cleaned the [press?] in the front room up stairs to day. This afternoon rain. Jim L. around the fire. Casey & Russel busy. Luella at the [work?]. After supper Jason and Russ at the office – Clayton & ____ at [Attkisons? Attkinsons?] at a party. Mr. John Moorman called. 14 April, Thursday. Damp this A.M. Alex in the wood shed. Casey & Russ around. This afternoon Alex at his plowing. Mr. Mc. and Uncle Joe around. Luella at the work. Clayton and Jason at school at Selma. Paul at our school. Uncle Dan & [Will] Mc called and chatted with Jim & the rest of us this A.M. I have been [sewing?] and looking after the chickens. We have several little ones. This eve Jim L– and I at C– at the office __________. 15 April, Friday. A nice day. Alex and Casey plowing all day long. Uncle Joe and Russ busy. Jim L– left us this morning – he went back to town. He says this is his birthday. He is 39 years old. Alex and Casey plowing. Russ rearing the team. Father and Uncle Joe around all A. M. Clayton and Jason at Selma school. Paul at our school. After an early dinner Mr. Mc. at Charleston – he spent a little while chatting to Mr. __________ and did not get back until after dark. Clayton & Jason at a show at the Clifton Opera house to night. Luella and I around today. I cleaned the sitting room cupboard in part to day. 16 April, Saturday. Very much like Spring. We have fifty little chickens. Casey & Alex sowing seed this morning. They [returned? Resumed?] plowing at ten o’clock. Clayton & Russel hauling hay. Jason in the sheep pen. Mr. Mc at the old Stretch place to see the McCarthy sheep. This afternoon Mrs. Halton & Luella took Uncle Joe home for a little outing .This eve all at home. We rec’d a letter from Clara. She is going on with her work in Monmouth College. We rec’d a letter from Fred. He is in Iowa & here & there we rec’d a letter from Fannie in Port Jervis. She’s planning to come early in the summer. How happy we will be. The Xenia paper announced the death of Mrs. John Kyle. She was only sick for a week. Her funeral is on Monday. 119