7 1876 January 1. Martha notes that New Year’s Day is beautiful–warm sunshine. The children were able to play outside all day! Almost seemed like Spring. She writes that she and Fannie (eldest of the children) are sitting alone, the three little brothers having been tucked away snuggly in their beds. Mr. McMillan returns home, bringing New Year’s presents–a velocipede for the boys, a picture for Fannie, and two books for Martha (Note: Martha in early days of the marriage–when writing of her husband calls him “Jamie”–now she uses “Mr. Mc” As the MacMillans settled here in Greene County, they were using the Mc prefix to their name; in the early 1900's most of the David McMillan descendants decided to use the MAC prefix, which noted the Scotch heritage. Having come from Scotland, and through Ireland, they could use either one–so, some chose to mad MAC their official spelling.) January 2. On the 2nd day of the new year she notes that Mr Mc heard the children repeat the catechism, and pray their prayers–a ritual which she usually heard. March 11. They are blessed with a baby girl which they name Clara Lucille. 1877 No notes by Rankin MacMillan 1878 No notes by Rankin MacMillan [Added January 2015: Through various research methods and resources, the discovery was made in 2014 that James and Martha lost a baby at birth in 1878. Since Rankin did not provide notes for that year, we had no way of knowing what day the baby was born and/or died. After a recent gravesite search, we discovered the “baby daughter” grave at the Massie Creek cemetery near Cedarville. In the information connected with the photo, a birth and death date for the baby were provided, both being October 26th. In the journal for that date, Martha talks about the baby’s death (she is never named), but indicates that she had lived 15 days. So backing up to October 11, the journal entry talks about the baby’s birth. So a mystery is solved. The following are the transcriptions for October 11 to 28, 1878:] October 11, 1878 Friday “...Between nine and ten oclock to night another daughter was welcomed to our home. O what a treasure is entrusted to our keeping. Can we but ask that her life may be one of worth and beauty of life and blessedness, that the heavenly Shepherd may lead our darling through green pastures and by quiet waters and at last receive her into the heavenly fold. When we look over our little family we can not but feel how our circle is widening--three sons and three daughters-- what an inheritance, what a glorious inheritance if we can say on that great day, here we are and the children thou hast given us.” October 20, 1878 Sunday “...The baby does not seem well this eve.” October 21, 1878 Monday
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTM4ODY=