DIY History | Transcribe | Iowa Women’s Lives: Letters and Diaries | Robert Walker Byington diary, April 3, 1883 - August 2, 1884 and Iowa Byington Reed diary, September 20, 1886 -December 31, 1892: Part 1

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Robert Walker Byington diary, April 3, 1883 - August 2, 1884 and Iowa Byington Reed diary, September 20, 1886 -December 31, 1892: Part 1

Page 143

143 Tuesday November 30th 1886. I was working with the plants all the forenoon. I baked bread today and cleaned the kitchen up. I got supper over early and Will and I went to a concert given by Mifs Congdon We did not care much for it. It was snowing some today. Will was busy about the place most of the day. Wednesday December 1st 1886. It was a terribly cold day. I was working about the house most of the day, trying to keep things comfortable. This is Otts birthday he was twenty seven years old. We had a long letter from Father from California. I wrote to Mother. Thursday December 2nd 1886. I ironed some of the things today, and in the afternoon mended Wills old mittens. I read some in the evening. Friday December 3rd 1886. I finished the ironing this forenoon and went to town with Will in the cutter after dinner. We were at Hatts awhile I brought oysters home for supper. I did the mending in the eve. Saturday December 4th 1886. I worked about the house all the forenoon and got a good dinner ready by the time Will brought Mother from the depot as she came from Burlington. I helped do up the dinner work and called at Clutes and Folsoms. Ott had company for supper. Will went to town after supper. Weather milder. Sunday December 5th 1886. I was busy about the work all the forenoon. We had a roast turkey for dinner. In the afternoon Will and I rode down to Uncle Jims in the phaeton driving Charlie single. In the evening I read aloud to Will. Weather cold. I wrote to Father, Mifs Lewis & Charlie. Monday December 6th 1886. We washed before noon and put the clothes in the garret. I made a fire in the parlor, baked a cake and cleaned up the house in the afternoon. John & Hatt with Mr & Mrs Clute were here for supper and the teachers met here for literary exercises in the evening. Will went to Stevens sale in the afternoon to try and buy oats, but found some at private sale at the old Barnes place. The evening was pleasantly spent at home.

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143 Tuesday November 30th 1886. I was working with the plants all the forenoon. I baked bread today and cleaned the kitchen up. I got supper over early and Will and I went to a concert given by Mifs Congdon We did not care much for it. It was snowing some today. Will was busy about the place most of the day. Wednesday December 1st 1886. It was a terribly cold day. I was working about the house most of the day, trying to keep things comfortable. This is Otts birthday he was twenty seven years old. We had a long letter from Father from California. I wrote to Mother. Thursday December 2nd 1886. I ironed some of the things today, and in the afternoon mended Wills old mittens. I read some in the evening. Friday December 3rd 1886. I finished the ironing this forenoon and went to town with Will in the cutter after dinner. We were at Hatts awhile I brought oysters home for supper. I did the mending in the eve. Saturday December 4th 1886. I worked about the house all the forenoon and got a good dinner ready by the time Will brought Mother from the depot as she came from Burlington. I helped do up the dinner work and called at Clutes and Folsoms. Ott had company for supper. Will went to town after supper. Weather milder. Sunday December 5th 1886. I was busy about the work all the forenoon. We had a roast turkey for dinner. In the afternoon Will and I rode down to Uncle Jims in the phaeton driving Charlie single. In the evening I read aloud to Will. Weather cold. I wrote to Father, Mifs Lewis & Charlie. Monday December 6th 1886. We washed before noon and put the clothes in the garret. I made a fire in the parlor, baked a cake and cleaned up the house in the afternoon. John & Hatt with Mr & Mrs Clute were here for supper and the teachers met here for literary exercises in the evening. Will went to Stevens sale in the afternoon to try and buy oats, but found some at private sale at the old Barnes place. The evening was pleasantly spent at home.