August 1859

Brock here to dinner. Mr. Smith this evening. 1st Sabbath. (Part of 1st page missing) Went to Lay's Springs, went to the Camp-ground and in a novel way, that of the two horse-wagon. Spent a pleasant day with my friends, saw a great many people, preaching only tolerable, -- no excitement among the people.
15. Fair and pleasant morning. Mr. E. (Mr. Espy, her husband) went to the camp-ground today. I came home this evening.
16. Warm weather. I left this morning for a meeting in Coat's Bend. Mr. Mountain this evening brought home Olivia. She came rejoicing, for she believes that last night her sins were pardoned. Of my six children, three are now professors of religion, and I have faith to believe that the others will come in too in God’s good time. The Pulling children spent the night here.
17. Very warm, Mr. E. (Mr. Espy) sowed turnip seed to-day. Columbus came home this evening having attended the preaching at Shady Grove.
18. Clear and warm. The girls and C. (Columbus) spent the night at Mr. Hale's. Miss S. Hale very sick.
20. Somewhat cooler. C. (Columbus) started to Shady Grove. I finished sewing for T. (Thomas) who is preparing to return to Marion. Made collars for Columbus.
21. 3rd Sabbath. Pleasant and beautiful morning. The girls went to the Presbyterian Church, and this afternoon to the Mr. Hampton's, whose family is sick.
22. Pretty day. The boys came home this evening. They went this evening to see Virginia. Mr. Tunwell.
24. I went with Olivia to Mr. Hudgen’s, from there she went to the school-house and got her books.
25. A very pretty morning, much cooler.
26. Pretty day. Olivia and I spent it with Mrs. Phipps & Mrs. Nichols.
28. 4th Sabbath. Cloudy. The girls went to Cedar Hill, Dr. R. preached. A small congregation.
29. Showery morning. This morning I opened a letter written by myself six years ago to my sons, Thomas and Columbus enclosing the bills of sale to my Negroes, made by my father to me in 33 and 35, I wrote another, and reenclosing the bills I directed it to them and replaced it in my private trunk. O. (Olivia) went this evening to Mr. Hudgen's and got cucumbers for pickling.
30. Considerably cooler.

September 1859

1. Cool and pleasant; this afternoon Joseph Espy, my brother-in-law, arrived. He left Thomas at Cedar Bluffs, at which place a meeting is in progress. This morning then he parted with his brother. It may be forever as C. (Columbus) still intends going West.
2. Pleasant day. Meeting began at Yellow Creek to-day. Preachers -- Hood and Livingston in attendance.
3. Pretty day. A good congregation. One joined by letter, and eight who had been baptized into the fellowship of this Church, at Round Mountain were received in full fellowship. Brethren Hood, Davis and Brock came here to dinner. Mr. Smith this evening.
4. 1st. Sabbath. Cloudy morning with showers, yet a good congregation notwithstanding. We had basket-dinner at Church. One joined by experience. A good deal of rain this evening. Mr. Smith is quite a lively preacher.
5. Cloudy. A good congregation to-day. Much interest is shown by the people though it is a busy time. Seven more of the Round Mountain members came forward and the right hand of fellowship extended to them. Brother J. (Joseph) Espy left this morning. He has been unwell, and I think a little home-sick. Mrs. M. Howard spent the night with us.
6. Pretty day. The meeting still going on and a lively interest shown by the people. Mr. Williams came home with us to supper. I do not attend the night meetings, but they are very interesting.
7. This morning Mr. Smith left. A good meeting today. Two baptized this evening. Mr. G. Bearden came with Thomas to supper. Two joined tonight and the meeting broke.
One week missing
15. Cool morning. Mr. N. left. O. (Olivia) still unwell.
16. Thomas went this evening to see Virginia. An equinactial gale accompanied by a great deal of rain. Making night-shirts for Thomas.
17. Clear and warm. I went this evening to see Mrs. Cumby about weaving for me. Called on Mrs. Brewer.
18. 3rd Sabbath A pleasant and beautiful morning. The girls and Virgil went to Concord. A good congregation. Saw Virginia there. Mrs. Brewer came here this evening.
19. An incessantly rainy day. Mrs. George spent the night here.
20. Still inclement.
21. Showery. Thomas came home this morning. This afternoon I went to Mrs. Cumby’s taking my web of cloth, and helping a little in beaming.
22. Cloudy. Thomas has gone over the river taking the children-census for his Pa. The time of his stay with us is drawing to a close, and he will leave next week.
24. Pretty day Commenced a dress for Olivia. Miss Phipps & Miss Rudd spent the afternoon here.
25. Clear and warm, Miss S. & E. Hale, Miss Mackey spent the day here. The girls went home with them.
27. Cooler. Mary Espy came, we helped her on with a dress. Also got our quilt out and did house-cleaning,
28. Clear and quite cool. I visited Mrs. Brewer.
29. Cold day. The girls went to the Union meeting at Cedar Hill. Mr. Dobbs and wife, Mr. Charles and Miss Ellen Dupree came home with them.
30. 5th Sabbath. Ice this morning. We went to preaching. A large congregation. Had basket-dinner. Virginia was there but looking thin. Pleasant day. Cold but pretty morning, the girls went to Church, not a great many there. Olivia was baptized by Dr. Ralls.

October 1859

1. A cool rainy day. Tonight I was sent for to Mr. Hale's. Miss Wilcox has just died after a few days of illness which was not thought to be serious. This was a lady much respected for the time she has been among us, and people seem grieved for her loss.
2. 1st Sabbath. Clear and cool. I remained at Mr. Hales to-day. A good many persons there. Came with the procession to the Presbyterian Church at which place we buried her. The girls and the little boys went to the Association to-day.
3. A very pretty day. Commenced working a collar. Mr. E. went to Lebanon. The girls visited Mrs. Hampton.
4. Wet day. The girls went to visit Mrs. Wilder and spent the night with Mrs. Truitt. I have been affected several days with diarrhea. Took oil and turpentine today and feel better this evening.
5. Warm -- pretty weather. The girls came home this morning. I am still unwell. Cousin Agnes sent me wool rolls to-day. Heard of Mr. Hudgen's getting his thigh broken.
7. Pretty Indian summer day. I am better, and went this evening to Mrs. Echols who is unwell.
8. Cloudy with thunder showers, turning cold.
9. 2nd Sabbath. Quite cool and windy, which alone prevented frost. The girls went this evening to Mr. Hill's whose family is unwell.
10. A light frost. I commenced knitting winter socks for Columbus. This evening he arrived. He is not very well, and says his cousin Margaret is in a decline.
13. Cloudy. Columbus came home with the news of Virginia having the chills. I ought to go down, but I have no opportunity. Received a letter from Thomas, he arrived safe at Marion and has resumed his studies.
14. Quite warm again. Drew some patterns for embroidery.
15. Very warm for the season. Making a coat for Columbus.
16. 3rd Sabbath. Pretty day. Somewhat cooler. C. went to Shady Grove. I sent Dick today to see how Virginia is coming on. He returned this evening with the pleasant news of her being better. Missed chilling twice.
17. Cloudy morning. A great deal of rain to-night.
18. Clear and getting cold. I finished Columbus coat. He came home tonight.
19. Clear and pretty days. Busy fixing C. for his start tomorrow.
20. Clear and beautiful morning, Columbus bade us farewell and left early. He thinks he will start to Louisiana next week. If he does in all probability I shall never see him again. May the Lord preserve him from all evil. I feel more anxiety for him than all my other children. Put in a quilt for Olivia. Cousin Agnes took dinner here. Heard of the death of Mr. Andwens.
21. Pretty weather. Spent the day in quilting. Some hog-drovers spent the night here.
22. Small frost. Not enough to injure anything. I never saw the autumn flowers more beautiful. Olivia and I went to Echols’ this evening. She selected a dress. This has been a fine day.
23. 4th Sabbath. A beautiful Indian summer day, every thing seems to be sleeping in the calm, quiet haze -- peculiar to this season. It it the Sabbath of the Year.
(Week missing)

November 1859

1 & 2. Cold but pretty weather. Preparing a web of cloth for the loom. Wrote to Thomas, I would like to know this evening where Columbus is.
3. Beautiful but very dry weather. Got my cloth in today.
4. Still pretty weather. Mrs. Phipps spent the afternoon with us.
5. Pretty day. Went to Yellow Creek. Mr. Hood preached on Election and did his subject credit, I thought. Re-elected him moderator for the ensuing year. Elected cousin James Espy clerk. Mary Espy came home with us.
6. 1st Sabbath. Serene, and beautiful Indian summer day. Went to Church, Mr. H. preached to a large congregation. Mr. Le. Mackey came here.
7. Clear and warm. Cousin James and Robert Espy came this morning and commenced to recover our house; this with its noise and litter makes a disagreeable affair.
8. Still pretty weather. Mr. & Miss Echols spent the afternoon with us. Loaned Miss E. a piece of my painting which she wishes to copy.
9. Still dry and warm. Mr. Cumby came this morning to assist the workman.
10. Warm. Mr. Espy started to Rome this morning.
11. Still very warm and somewhat cloudy. The workmen finished our house this evening, clearing away the rubbish. We shall now be more comfortable.
12. Very warm for the season Our workman left this morning. Cloudy, with high winds which whirls the dust in clouds. The clouds blew away tonight and it it getting quite cold.
13. 2nd Sabbath. Extremely cold and windy. A great change from the summer weather of the last week. The girls went out visiting this evening. Mr. E. came home.
14. Very cold. Making winter clothing.
15. Still cold. We received this morning by the boat of yesterday our winter shoes, also some cloth. I went with Mrs. Brewer this evening to see Mrs. Hampton, who is sick, found her quite feeble.
16 and 17. Somewhat warmer. Still making clothing, also a coat for Cousin James. A great deal of rain today which is welcome to the farmers, as they can now sow their wheat. Turning cooler.
18. Cloudy.
20. 3rd Sabbath. Pretty day, The children went to Concord to hear the funeral sermon of Miss Wilcox, preached by Dr. Ralls. Cousin James, Charles Dupree, Mrs. Brewer, here this afternoon.
21. Pleasant weather. Commenced making calico dresses, also pants for Mr. E.
22. Warm for the season. Mr. E. brought us a fine cheese from Dublin this morning. The girls visited Mrs. Echols.
23. Still warm. Went to see Mrs. Brewer this morning, who is sick. Miss I. Patterson visited us this evening.
24. Very warm. Some travelers called this morning for breakfast. They had several fine horses for sale. Thanksgiving Day. Mrs. B. still sick
25. Clear and warm. Had washing done for Mrs. B. She is somewhat better.
26. A very rainy day and warm. The newspapers are filled with the abolition riot at Harper's Ferry. A great excitement prevails in some of the Southern states in consequence. May the Northern assassins be put down with their free-negro allies.
27. 4th Sabbath. Warm, rainy morning. Some appearance of clearing off this afternoon, but soon commenced raining again. Heard by old Mr. Brewer of Columbus’ departure for Louisiana. May the Lord go with him. This was not unexpected, yet it struck me painfully, the knowledge that he is gone. I think I had rather he had remained with his brother. May it prove for the best. A great deal of rain tonight.
28. Some appearance of clearing off. Wrote to Margaret Espy.
29. Clear and quite warm.
30. Still warm, cloudy. Olivia went this afternoon to Dublin.

December 1859

1. Cloudy, but turning cooler. Warm again this evening. I never knew more variable weather.
2. A spring-like morning. Today Brown, the abolition leader and assassin expiates his crime on the scaffold. May peace attend, and follow, and may the women and children of the South be saved from their Northern murderers. Mrs. L. Hale here this evening, a great deal of rain tonight.
3. Rainy day . Did not go to Yellow Creek today.
4. 1st Sabbath. Cloudy. The children went to Church. Mr. Livingston preached. I received a letter from Margaret Espy, Columbus left there on the 25th Oct. No news since.
5. A dull misty day. Again this evening.
6. Still cloudy. The girls visited Mrs. Finley. Tremendous rains tonight. Turned cold toward morning with sleet.
7. Excessively cold with light showers of snow. This has been a busy day. We slaughtered 14 hogs, large ones. It is my birthday, and I sit this evening by a cheerful fire, recording the fact, 44 have I seen, and as I look back over the road I have traveled, I would fain to be thankful to the good Being, who has led me safely thus far, and trust his grace for the future. As for my children they are in His hands, and He looks on them this evening, ---- I trust in Mercy.
8. Clear and the severest weather we have had in two years. Mr. E. has had a time of it today, with his frozen meat. Mr. Brewer, and J. Pulling, helped him. Left some unsalted at last. I dried up 22 gallons of lard today.
9. Still severely cold. We finished our lard and ground sausage meat. This evening a welcome letter came from Columbus. -- He was at his Uncle’s in good health. They were also in good health. He was on the road 10 days, and had his trials to encounter, as all do who are short of money. He is now with friends and may they live happily together. He is much pleased with the country, and thinks he will continue there. May the Lord be with him.
10. Clear, and more moderate. Finished our sausage up and put to press cheese-souse. We begin to feel like we are nearly through with a disagreeable job. The thought of C. has been in my mind all day. Yet I try to console myself with the thought that he in with his Uncle’s, and they are his friends.
11. 2nd Sabbath. Clear and cold. I started Dick with a letter to Sis this morning, but he met them coming to Mr. Butt's to pay a farewell visit to Dennis and Theresa. The girls went this evening to see Mrs. Hampton.---She is improving some.
12. Clear and crisp morning. Mother Echols, Miss Phipps spent the day here. Mr. Dupree the night.
13. Very cold morning, the ground white with frost. The girls went this evening to visit Mrs. Butt.
14. Still cold. The girls came home this evening. Mrs. B. was not at home, they spent the time at Misses Cunningham and Lowery -- Making pants for R. Espy.
15. Cold. Making a coat for J. Pulling.
16. Cloudy. Our people commenced sowing wheat. A good deal of rain this evening.
17. Cold rainy day. Finished the coat, Today received a Christmas present from Thomas, in the shape of a letter of six pages. He is well and getting on well with his studies. Also Mr. E. received a welcome letter from Columbus. He appears much pleased with his country, and was in good health. I am glad now that he is in Louisiana.
18. 3rd Sabbath. Clear and cold. The girls and Virgil Horace went to Concord, no preacher----. Mr. Williams, Mrs. & Miss Brewer here today. I am reading "Latta’s Chain of Sacred Wonders,” and am much pleased with it.
19. Cloudy and cold. Put in a quilt, also cut a vest for Mr. Brewer.
20. Very cold. Finished the vest, and commenced one for J. Pulling.
21. Cloudy and cold.
22. Still cold. Finished my sewing.
23. Clear and very cold. Wrote today to Thomas and Columbus. Mr. Spear spent the night here.
24. A very severe morning. We have had a longer spell of cold weather than I have known lately. The girls stayed this evening to Mr. Dupree’s. Christmas Eve, yet all seems quiet, a few guns have been fired. How different from the time of my earliest recollections. Nothing hardly could be heard but the thunder of artillery.
25. 4th Sabbath. Christmas Day. A brilliantly beautiful day though very cold. A very quiet one, too. In thought I travel after my absent ones, and send the wish of a “Happy Christmas" to them, and may they spend it better than they have ever done before. The girls came home this evening. Charles Dupree with them.
26. Warmer, and somewhat cloudy. O. went to Mr. Hale’s. I went to Mrs. Patterson's this evening. The old lady is very feeble but quite cheerful.
27. A rainy day. Mrs. Brewer gives a party today to which the girls are gone. Virgil went rabbit hunting with Gordon Finley.
28. Cloudy and warm, with a good deal of rain tonight, with thunder and lightning.
29. A close rainy day, something cooler. A furious storm this evening of wind, rain, and hail, accompanied by heavy thunder: some damage done to the fencing. A regular summer storm in mid-winter.
30. Cloudy all day and getting quite cold this evening. Mrs. F. Hale called here. Mr. E. went to the sale at the Mitcham’s.
31. Cloudy and cold with snow all the morning. Getting very cold this evening --- the last day of the old year. Where shall we all be this time next year?

Intro