SARAH SCHERMERHORN'S DIARY (Resident of Northumberland, Saratoga Co.,NY

Sarah Jane Schermerhorn's diary was purchased by Mrs. Joan Szablewski in a Northville book store in 1989. The diary is written on the blank pages of- Mitchell's School Atlas Comprising the Maps,. etc. -Designed to Illustrate Mitchell's School and Family Geography published by Thomas, Cowperthwait & Co.,Philadelphia,PA {1849}).

Sarah Jane's diary is a record of her daily life between the period of 18 Nov.1866 and March 18, 1867 Sarah Jane did not use any punctuation in her diary and often spelled the same words different ways. For clarity I have placed dashes between unrelated statements but I have used the diarist's spelling. Some of the words are difficult to read or cannot be read at all. Sarah Jane often wrote given names and surnames in non-capital letters and these I have underlined to make them easier to read.

Sarah Jane apparently did piece work on gloves or mittens in her home for local glove manufacturers in nearby Fulton County. She has listed, in this Atlas, the type of work she did and her wages for same. There are lists dated 1864, 1868 and Apr. 1866 to Jan. 1867. .

Sarah Jane did work for a glove manufacturer named Day who was probably connected with Day & Steele, a glove factory that was located in the City of Gloversville, Fulton Co., NY. The Mr. Vail/Vale mentioned in the diary may be connected with the glove and mitten factory in nearby Vail's Mills in the Town of Mayfield, Fulton Co., NY

Sarah Jane Schermerhorn was born c1834 in Saratoga Co. the daughter of Thomas & Charlotte Negus (1850 Census Town of Providence, Saratoga Co. NY, Page 396). Sarah Jane Negus married c1850-1855, Abram Schermerhorn, born c1835, Schenectady Co. NY, son of Nicholas & Elizabeth Schermerhorn (1855 State Census, Providence, Saratoga Co.NY). According to the various census enumerations the Abram Schermerhorns had no children or at least children who survived infancy. Perhaps the Jenny Lind born 1863 and mentioned on first page of the diary was their child. Sarah Jane & Abram last appear in the 1880 Census in the Town of Providence. Abram, age 45,is listed as a laborer and Sarah J., age 46,is keeping house (Page 6, Family #42/44).

In the 1855-1865 State Census' for the town of Providence, Abram and Sarah Jane are living with Abram's parents Nicholas & Elizabeth Schermerhorn. N. SCHERMERHORN is shown on the 1866 Map of Providence. By 1871, Abram and his father lived in separate residences. Abram, occupation farmer, with 42 acres of land, resided in Village

of Hagedorn's Mill, Town of Providence. His father, occupation farmer, with 70 acres of land, lived in West Providence. ((1871 Saratoga Co. Directory, Page 225).

There are no probate records for the Abram Schermerhorns at either Saratoga or Fulton Co. Surrogate Courts nor are there any land evidences in these two counties to show what happened to them. Sarah Jane and her husband probably belonged to the Methodist Episcopal Church of Providence. This church was organized in 1841-42 in West Providence. It existed for 30 years until 1871 when a new Methodist Society was formed. (Nathaniel B. SYLVESTER, History of Saratoga Co. NY {reprint 1979} Heart of the Lakes Publishing Co. Interlaken, NY). Some of the early members of this church appear to be mentioned in the diary as fellow church members of Sarah Jane. On the 1866 Map the ME Church is located near the Schermerhorn residence.

One can read Sarah Jane's Diary in conjunction with the Providence census enumerations, the 1866 map and the Saratoga Co. Directory for Providence, and learn much about the family units and daily lives of the Schermerhorn family and their friends and neighbors - where they lived - who they lived with - how they worked and how they played. -

Thank you Sarah Jane Schermerhorn for this record

NOTE: Sarah J's record also contains some recipes and a sad poem or two.

The original Diary is now housed at the Fonda Archives.

PROVIDENCE 1863?/1869? Jenny lind was born about sundown.

1866 FRIDAY NOVEMBER THE 15 - cold and windy and father has ben to Stephens after Mother and Abram has ben to Hyram LYONS after my turkeys -I am not very well and Hyram- heart has ben here.

SATURDAY NOVEMBER THE l6 DAY - snowed the most of the day and we went to Jimies - Eliza went with us.

SUNDAY NOVEMBER THE 17 DAY - and cold with some snow and we come from Jimies - took dinner with Peter PRINGLE?

-MONDAY NOVEMBER THE 18 DAY - very cold and clear and we have had 4 different ones here to call on us and Abram has ben to the fishouse to trade harness - did not trade. (Note: Sir Wm. Johnson in 1762 owned a fishing-house on the Fulton Co. border of the town of Providence (Saratoga Co.), around which sprung up a village, part of which called Fayville, lies in the town of Providence).

-TUESDAY NOVEMBER THE 19 DAY - it is very cold and windy - John- allen and Frank SLEEZER took dinner here and father has ben to mill.

-WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER THE 20 - not quite so cold but snowed the most of the day and I have ben a washing and Abram has ben to the Ouderkirks and Edward TRIVET has ben here to beg for wife Bets.

-THURSDAY NOVEMBER THE 21 - Not quite so cold and Abram has ben to the fishouse and father has ben to the Fundybush with wood. (Note: Fundysbush - Fondas Bush - A village in Town of Broadallbin, Fulton Co. NY).

-FRIDAY NOVEMBER THE 22 - quite warm with a little rain and Abram has ben to Fundysbush with a load of wood. I am not very well.

-SATURDAY NOVEMBER THE 23 DAY - not very warm but damp and foggy - Abram has gone to Fundysbush with wood.-

SUNDAY NOVEMBER THE 24 DAY - very foggy and dark and Eliza is here and Charley - I have ben a writing a letter to Martha - our dog come at night watch.

-NOVEMBER THE 25 DAY very foggy and damp and DAY has ben here and several others and Abram is drawing wood out of the woods and John was here for the last time and took dinner.

-NOVEMBER THE 26 DAY - and it raines and little Abram and Lander/Sander come here a little while and they went down to Jimies - Abram went with them.

- 1866 - NOVEMBER WEDNESDAY THE 27 - quite warm and pleasant and they have just come from Jimies and Mr. -stone has ben here. I am not very well. - NOVEMBER THE 27 1866 Very pleasent and had babtising to the church - the two Sarah TRIVET were sprinkled and we had the three ministers to stay all night and had a happy time.

(Note: 2 listings under one date of Nov. 27)

-NOVEMBER THE 2 - it rained all day and Dennis SHAW died.

-NOVEMBER THE 29 - it was very cloudy and rained the most of the day - we went to meeting at night in the rain and had quite a happy time and had to send for VAILES.

-NOVEMBER THE 30 - quite cloudy with snow squalls the most of the day with very high winds.

-DECEMBER THE l- quite pleasent and with high winds and I went down to Joes and sent for my forkes? by Edwin and got a letter from Johney.

-DECEMBER THE 2 - very pleasent - stayed home - went to meeting at night - the church was full.

-DECEMBER THE 3 quite pleasent - I and -susan went to Mr. LAMBS a visiting and father come at night.

-DECEMBER THE 4 - rained very hard all day and I have ben a washing. Mellisia SMITH was married.

-DECEMBER THE 5 - quite pleasent and warm and you? and father went up to uncle Millers and they was 4 weddings - did not go to meeting.

-DECEMBER THE 6 - quite warm today and Frank TREVET has ben a ploughing and Abagail and Sarah has ben here.

-DECEMBER THE 7- not very pleasent and Frank LYONS was here a ploughing and Abram has ben over to the MILLERS to the meeting and VALES.

-DECEMBER THE 8 - quite rainy - staid a home all day and father is to our house.

-DECEMBER THE 9 -quite pleasant and we went to meeting and had a happy time and father went with us.

-DECEMBER THE 10 - quite plesent today but cold - we have ben over to -libe COLE this evening to an oyster supper and VALES went with us and we had a good time.

-1866

-DECEMBER THE 11 - very cold but plesent and they have gone to meeting this evening and I stayed at home.

-DECEMBER THE 12 - quite cold - staid home all day - did not go to meeting.

-DECEMBER THE 13- extreamly cold with high winds and not very happy?

-DECEMBER THE 14 - quite pleasent but cold and poor Jack died and was draged away down the bank and Julia? and Mary was hear and I was a washing.

-DECEMBER THE 15 - very plesant but cold and I have been making sausage??.

-DECEMBER THE 16 - very cold with snow and Abram has gone and Eliza is hear and not very happy.

-DECEMBER THE 17 - quite a deep snow and Abram has taken a sleigh ride and I staied home all day.

-DECEMBER THE 18 - very pleasent day and Abram has ben in the woods all day and they was a meeting - i did not go - they was not but five or six there - was not much of a meeting.

-THE 19 - quite cloudy and I took a sleigh ride for the first and went to Mr. -hearts in the evening.

-The 20- very extreamley cold but clear and we went to Susannahs at night and they wasnt a great many out and we got about ninety dollers donation and VAILES was here.

-THE 21 - very clear and cold - staied home all day and they had meeting to Edwins at night and I did not go and VAILES and -Levi called

-DECEMBER THE 22 - not so cold as usual but clear - staied at home and Miss LAMB was hear a visiting and VALES was hear and we have ben a drawing wood.

-DECEMBER THE 23 - very cloudy and raining hard - they was meeting - we did not go - we went to bed and they sent for us to come but did not go - Father went - had good time.

-THE 24 - quite warm - stayed home all day - Edwin come and fixed the door and Susan come to and we went to the Christmas tree the evening to the Baptist church.

-1866 - DECEMBER

-THE 25 - rather pleasent and warm - have ben holding Christmas down to Dick VANWRANKIN - went to brother ORRES to meeting in the evening - Abram and father went - I did not go - it is very good wagoning and Granny WOODDARD died about 10 o'clock.

-DECEMBER THE 26 - quite pleasent today and I am a washing and they had meeting to Saul COLES and Abram went and they had a glorious meeting thear - little- ed orre got quite happy and CURREN? had vendue (note: a public sale by auction) and VALES was here and we received a letter from Johney.

-THE 27 - Snowed all day hard and A _?__both went to the funeral to WOODARDS - I did not go - Abram dont forget yon? farmers??? much - the banks are very high and it is very cold.

-THE 29 - very cold with high winds and high snow banks and Abram is sick abed and i am not well and VALES and a brother WOLWURTH at night and- george hart also.

HE 30 - quite pleasent weather and the woods are very bad and they had meeting to brother TREVETS and they had quite a happy time and Jo and Charley was hear.

-THE 31 - not very cold today and they are a breaking roads and Abram is getting better and no meeting tonight.

-1867

-JANUARY 1 - New Year - quite moderate weather and we have ben down to Edwins to cold new years - Jo and Margaret? was with us thear to and they went to ORREYS to meeting at night and VALES was hear and went to see- tiped over in the drifts when we went down to Edwins.

-THE 2 DAY - quite pleasent day - stayed home all day and they shoveled out the road and Abram went to meeting to Edw.? TREVET at night - did not have a very good meeting.

-THE 3 - a very pleasent day - did not go anywhears and Abram went to the new year tree in the evening and VALES stay here all night as usual. - -THE 4 DAY - very clear and nice and Abram has ben out to Fundesbush and sister -lamb has ben hear and Marion? has ben hear and VALES also and Father has gone to Edwins to meeting tonight.

-THE 5 - very good winters weather today and Susanah were to se us and Joseph come after her for -libe and her mother come thear and mis -lamb was hear to - she had ben to -edwins to meeting - they have ben a traveling to circuit - that is father and VALES and Miss LAMB.

-1867 JANUARY

-THE 6 - rather stormy today and Eliza is hear - they have meeting to the church - we did not go.

-THE 7 - very severe cold weather today and the snow drifts very bad and I have ben a washing and DAY come with leather.

-THE 8 - very cold and we went to brother ORREYS a visiting and they had a house full of company and meeting at night and we stayed and come through the drifts home.

-THE 9 - not quite so cold - ___?___ home all day and had meeting to Mr. -lambs and they had quite a fuss about VALES and he left and come down hear.

-THE 10 - it is quite mild weather and I have taken a ride and have ben a distributing some of the silver wedding tickets around and they have meeting to brother sleezers.

-OF THE 11 - quite mild to and Susanah and Jo has ben here to se us and they had meeting to Edwins - i did not go and VAILES were here.

-OF THE 12 - today quite moderate day for the time a year and I have ben up to the fishouse and Mr. -henry has ben here and miss -hart and the tin peddler and VAILES to also.

-THE 13 - very cold day and we went over to Stephens and to meeting at night and VAILE staid here.

-OF 14 DAY OF JANUARY - quite cold - staid home all day and went to Edwins to a silver wedding in the evening and had an Oyster supper - they was about 25 there.

-OF THE 15 - it is quite cold and chilly today and Hiram has ben here twice and Abram went down and got his father to -eds.

-THE 16 - pretty cold today and they have meeting to Hyram LYONS and father went and we stayed home and I got a letter from Mrs. ALLEN at night and they had a good meeting.

-THE 17 - it snowes today and Jo fetched Mother and Father home in the morning and they was a peddler here with lamp burners and Abram bought one. - -THE 18 - it is very blustrey and cold and Harriet -grey come here through the snow and we went down to Joes in the afternoon and Jim come atnight from MILLERS.

1867 JANUARY

THE 19 - not very warm today and Jim is hear and he and Abram has ben to COMBS and -hirams.

-THE 20 - not very cold today and I have ben to meeting to the church and to mr. ORREYS to meeting in the evening - they had a good many there.

-THE 21 today - quite mild today - stayed home all day and Miss -lamb has bem here this evening and made us a cake. DAY did not come.

-THE 22 - not quite so cold today and I have ben a washing and have got a sore throat and we sent a leter to Johney and Abram and father started to go to -oreys to meeting and it was so drifted they come back again and the baptist have a donation.

-THE 23 - quite nice weather today and DAY has ben here to get his work - they had meeting to levi BOOTHS - we did not go.

-THE 24 TODAY - and it thaws some today and I am quite sick and laid abed all day - VAILES was here.

-THE 25 TODAY - and I am not much better and Mrs. LAMB has sent for us to come there and have an oyster supper and we cant go - Abram has gone to mill.

-THE 26 - rather stormy today and I am some better and father has gone down to Edwins and Charley come home with him and VAILES was here.

-THE 27 TODAY - and the snow blowes and drifts very bad and Charley is here yet - they was no meeting and I am better.

-THE 28 TODAY - and Charley has just gone home and it blowes some yet and- tileson has ben here to se about breaking roads but they did not break any road today - it was so bad.

-THE 29 TODAY - and the snow blowes and drifts as bad as ever today and I am some better today and Abram has ben up to Mr. LAMBS and the roads are drifted full yet.

THE 30 TODAY - and it is quite a plesent day and they have ben a shoveling out the well and I was quite smart - they have meeting to Edwins - we do not go - -squire heart come up.

-THE 31 - cloudy and cold today and Abram has ben down to Edwins and to Julius? to get the sleigh fixed and he is not very well and they have meeting to brother OREYS - we did not go. - 1867

-FEBRUARY THE l DAY - quite warm with rain and Abram is drawing wood and I am quite well

-1867 FEBRUARY

-FEBRUARY THE 2 - quite moderate weather and Stephen and the to little girls is here to se us - the snow has settled a considerable with rain.

-THE 3 TODAY - it is very dark and cloudy with rain - the snow goes quite fast - they was meeting to the church - we did not go this evening.

-THE 4 TODAY - and it is quite mild and warm and not much traval and it has commenced snowing this evening.

-THE 5 TODAY - and it is quite warm and thawey and we have ben down to Joes with Edwin and have had quite a good time.

-THE 6 - not very cold and it thaws a little and we have ben to Hyram LIONS to meeting and had a good meeting and Rhoada has started anew.

-THURSDAY THE 7 - a very beautiful day and I and father has ben to the fishouse a trading and they has ben another man here after wood and -fred has ben here and Mr.LAMB has gone a visiting today.

-FRIDAY THE 8 - it is a very warm pleasent day and Daniel ALLEN come to se us and Fred was cutting wood for us and he cut his foot and Abram has ben a drawing wood - it rained at night.

-SATURDAY 9 - it is quite foggy and rainey today and -daniel has gone away and I have ben down to Hyrams this afternoon - raines very hard now.

-SUNDAY TODAY - and the wind blowes very hard with snow squalls and they have a meeting to the church - I did not go and VAILES had them take a vote hear to get his reckomend and he carried the day - Eddy froze his ears - we had quite a good meeting - VAILES was here.

-MONDAY TODAY - and I am a washing and Mary come here and stayed all day and Abram has ben to the tannery and et dinner with Mary HENRY?

-TUESDAY TODAY THE 12 - quite pleasent and I am a baking and Abram is in the woods a cutting wood and I have put on my comfater and am very tired and they have meeting to Saul -coles - we did not go.

-1867 - FEBRUARY

-WEDNESDAY THE 13 - quite warm today and I am a baking again and Abagail and miss ROCKWELL is hear a visiting and I have got my confeter done and it has commenced raining.

-1867 FEBRUARY

-THURSDAY THE 14 - quite warm and thawey and the snow is very low and they expected meeting to the church and so many did not come and we are a baking again today.

-FRIDAY THE 1 - quite moderate weather and we are a baking again and Abram has just come from Hiram and we are a baking again.

-SATURDAY THE 16 - it raines very hard and it raines very hard and it is fathers birthday and we have the most of the children home to eat dinner with us - they were 15 in all together and we had a pretty good time and he had several presents.

-SUNDAY THE 17 - and it is quite pleasent and thawey and Fred has just gone home and we have no meeting today - the wind blowes very hard and I staid home all day - they had meeting to _? SLEEZERS and Abram went afoot.

-MONDAY THE 18 - and very cold and I have ben a washing and Eliza has ben here to se us.

-TUESDAY THE 19 - not very cold and I put a quilt on and Mary and Julia come and helped me all amd we wemt tp meeting to Edwins in the eaving - had a very good meeting.

-WEDNESDAY THE 20 - and it snowes today and uncle NEGUS and aunt come and Henery -shipman and his wife and they helped get it of that is my quilt and Mr. VAILES has his last dames school and at night a ____ school?.

-THURSDAY THE 21 - and it snowes quite hard and Abram has gone over to Edward TRIVETS to take uncle -davis and aunt over to -taber austens.

-FRIDAY THE 22 - not very warm today and we have ben over to Stephens and Joseph and Susanah was there to and Eliza was not very well.

-SATURDAY THE 23 - quite cold and it has commenced snowing some and father has gone to fundesbush with a load of wood.

-SUNDAY THE 24 - it is a very pleasent day with high winds and Abram has ben up to se -fred this forenoon and we took a ride this afternoon and Jenney felt pretty good and I sent a letter to William henery MILLER.

-MONDAY THE 25 - a very pleasent day and father has ben to fundesbush with a load of wood and William HENERY has ben here and Abram has gone down to HANKS with him and -hiram lyon has bem here.

-TUESDAY THE 26 - another very pleasent day and come from HANKS and I went down to Leroy/Lorey ?? MANCHESTERS a visiting for the first time and Abram as ben up to ORREYS.

-1867 FEBRUARY

-WEDNESDAY THE 27 - a plesent today and Abram has ben down to Bill -nashes vendue and father has ben to fundesbush with wood and Mr. -henery has ben here.

-THURSDAY THE 28 - another plesant day and I have ben a washing and little Eliza has ben here and I have got a letter from Martha and father has ben out to the bush again and I have taken a ride.

-MARCH 1867

-MARCH THE l DAY - quite a mild day and father has gone to fundysbush and we have taken a ride down to -edwins to se about my bedsted.

-SATURDAY THE 2 DAY - rather rainey in the forenoon with very high winds in the afternoon and Abram has gone to -daggets and I did not go and stayed all night and Mr. SANDFORD has ben here and I dont feel very well.

-SUNDAY THE 3 DAY - not very cold and Abram has just come from- daggets and Mr. SHANLEY has ben here and -eddy and Eliza and -Jany?.

NOTE: The next day is Monday the 5 - Sarah Jane apparently got her dates mixed up.

-MONDAY THE 5 - rather snowey today and Abram has ben down to- edwins and we have had and invitation to and extra supper to Nelson -bakers and father has gone to meeting to Joes. (Note: extra supper probably a mistake for oyster supper).

-TUESDAY THE 6 - not a very warm day but pleasent and -susan was here and Edwin and VALES and they all took diner - they had ben to town meeting and Joe went over to Nelson BAKERS to an oyster supper -had a good time.

-WEDNESDAY THE 7 - quite pleasent today and John -dagget has ben here and I have ben down to se the babby for the first and I have a bad cold - they have meeting to- saul coles - we did not go.

-THURSDAY THE 8 - snowes hard all day and Abram has ben up to- lambs and they have meeting to -levi booths - we did not go - brother VAILES is staying here yet - my eye is very bad.

-FRIDAY THE 9 - a very fine day and father has ben out to the bush and mother has ben down to uncle -pelegs and I have got my bedsted and put it up and they is meeting to OREYS - we did not go.

-SATURDAY THE 10 - not very pleasent and we are going up to the ORREYS and I have a bad cold and father has gone to the bush again - -lambs has got home.

-1867 - MARCH

-SUNDAY THE 10 - and we have just come from ORREYS and it storms some and Joseph and Susanah is here - they have meeting to brother OREYS and Abram went - had a good meeting (Note: Mistake in dates again).

-MONDAY THE 11 - very warm and thawey and I have ben a washng and sister ORREY and Misses -fort and Sister -lamb has ben here today and VAILES to - -lamb and Ececk CHASE has ben to draw writings - they have meeting to Saul -coles. (Note: Writings probably means to draw deeds or other legal papers).

-TUESDAY THE 12 - snowed hard about all day and father went to the bush again and Charley was here and helped Abram saw some and Miss -heart was here after some milk and the old mair is lame.

-WEDNESDAY MARCH THE 13 - a very thawey day and I have ben up to Mr. -lambs and took diner and they come and I took my rolles up ther to spin and it is my birthday 33 years.

-THURSDAY THE 14 - plesent with high winds and we have gone to uncle NEGUS - was very cold when we got ther - they was meeting to -levi -booths.

-FRIDAY THE 15 - we come from uncle -davis and a very plesent day - not so cold and Abram has ben down to -uncle pelegs a little while.

-SATURDAY THE 16 - quite cold and cloudy today and Abram has ben up to -lambs and Harriet -grey come here at night and they had meeting to ORREYS - we did not go - Edwin and Susan was here a little while.

-SUNDAY THE 17 - it snowes very hard today and Charley is here and Harriet -grey is here and they have meeting to -lambs - we did not go - did not have any meeting.

-MONDAY 18 TODAY - and Harriet is here and the snow has drifted very bad and Abram has ben up to -hirams and to -lambs and Hiram is no better.

Providence October the 17, 1865 - We came from uncle NEGUS in the snow.

Page 18 - no date - different handwriting: Drawed wood with HOLDERS wagon.

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