9 trading in other livestock in a radius of about ten or 15 miles. As you will learn in other diaries, he would have as many as 1000 sheep in any one year. He was a noted raiser of good stock– sometimes was called “Sheep” Jim McMillan to distinguish him from another James. November. “Real” winter set in, in November–as you will see in the 1881 book. 1881 In this year James is 48, Martha 38, the children: Fannie 13 years. Fred 11 years. Homer is 7. Clara is 5, Clayton is 1. January 17. School re-opened today; was closed since December 3rd. March 27-29. Late March snowstorm. This snow stayed on the ground until April 6th when it began to thaw. On this date Martha reports that this was quite a winter for snow. Snow had started on Nov. 13, 1880 and had continuous snow on the ground from Dec. 8 to February 7–making 62 days of continuous sleighing in Greene County. It was April 20 before the ground was dry enough to start plowing. June 27. Bought a new self-binding wheat reaper. August. A sheep shed erected on north side of the road. House help seemed to be hard to get in 1881 in Cedarville Twp. As it is in 1969. Children did not start to school until 8 years old. That Fall, Fannie did not start until the last of October, due to helping at home. Fred took sick Oct. 1 with some type of fever; was very sick for two weeks–stayed at Aunt Jane’s in Cedarville so he would be close to a doctor; five weeks before he was able to return home–not able to go to school until Nov. 17. 1882 James and Martha have now been married 15 years. Their children are Fannie 14 yrs., Fred 12 yrs., Harlan 10 yrs., Homer 8 yrs., Clara 6 yrs, Clayton 2 yrs. And Clayton on his 2nd birthday March 20 was not talking yet. April 5. New baby Jason arrived at 3:30 a.m. Martha writes almost a half a page of what she prays and wishes her son to be. [Note: the entry below was not included in the notes] (She had a gift of expressing beautiful thoughts–and her wishes for her children largely came true. This baby became a prominent minister, as did her son Homer. Fannie married a minister, Fred was a lay leader in U. P. Church and the rest were active in their home churches.) “At half past three this morning our darling son Jason came into our home–a poor little piece of humanity yet possessing a life that will exist when time and worlds will have passed away. Upon this first morning of they life what blessing and honor or preferment do I desire for thee my darling son? O I do ask that my precious son “may ?, may strong in spirit filled with wisdom and the power of God may be upon him.” O I do ask that his life may be all for Jesus. Where his ? ? may his ever be–loving loyal and faithful. And at last when his feet have proven weary with the march of life may the loving Savior gather home–to that happy home in heaven.” April 27. Was the first day Martha was up all day since Jason’s birth on the 5th. April 27-28. 75 trees, oak, maple, and ash were planted. June 8. Finished corn planting. July 7. Began wheat cutting with the binder, but due to rain didn’t finish until July 15.
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