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Bradford County PA
Chemung County NY
Tioga County PA
Tri-Counties Genealogy & History by Joyce M. Tice
Diaries & Letters of Tri-Counties
From Joyce M. Tice's Sullivan-Rutland Genealogy Project
1886 - Emerson Smith of Rutland - Age 25
Diary of Emerson Smith
Township: Rutland Township, Tioga County PA
Year: 1886
Transcribed by Joyce M. Tice
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See Also - Family Photos of Emerson SMITH and Addie MAKELEY.
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This diary was in the possession of Roland Smith of Roseville, son of Emerson. Roland died recently and his son, J. Harlo SMITH, loaned this and other diaries of Emerson to Sullivan-Rutland Genealogy Project. Emerson was also father of Erma SMITH who married Lee D. TICE and was step-grandmother of Joyce.
1886 - Emerson SMITH

of Rutland Hill

Age 25
 

Mon. Mar. 1, 1886 - Commenced Work for O. A. Smith(1) Moved a Load of goods from the Ripley Farm to the Styres(2) Farm Windy & Blustering(3)
 

Tues. Mar. 2, 1886 - Moved a Load from the Ripley farm to the Styres farm Still Windy and cold
 

Wed. Mar. 3, 1886 - Moved a Load of goods Still Windy
 

Thurs. Mar. 4, 1886 - Moved a Load of goods O. A. Smith and family came also Weather Warmer
 

Fri. Mar. 5, 1886 - O. A. Smith Brought a Load of goods. Helped load the goods and Brought Home the Bull
 

Sat. Mar. 6, 1886 - Brought a load of grain and goods Weather warmer
 

Sun. Mar. 7, 1886 - Stayed at Home Done the Chores and Listened to the Piano
 

Mon. Mar. 8, 1886 - Went to the Ripley Lot Sawed Wood for Aldridge O. A. Went to Mansfield to Mill
 

Tues. Mar. 9, 1886 - Drawed Wood Went to C. B. Hulslanders to Mill Went to Singing School at Chandlersburg(4)
 

Wed. Mar. 10, 1886 - Drawed Manure Went to C. B. Hulslanders after the Grist O. A. Smith went to Roseville
 

Thurs. Mar. 11, 1886 - Worked about the Barn and house in the forenoon and in the woods in the afternoon
 

Fri. Mar. 12, 1886 - Went to the Ripley Lot after a Load of Bees and to Singing School in the Evening
 

Sat. Mar. 13, 1886 - Went to the Ripley Lot after a Load of Buckwheat Shorts
 

Sun. Mar. 14, 1886 - Went Over Home after my trunk O. A. And Sarah went along J. W. Styres and A. Wood came there at Night
 

Mon. Mar. 15, 1886 - Worked about the Barn in the forenoon and in the Woods in the afternoon
 

Tues. Mar. 16, 1886 - Went to the Ripley Lot and husked some corn O. A. Smith Went to Mansfield After his grist
 

Wed. Mar. 17, 1886 - Skinned a pair of twin calves Shelled some corn and Dug up Lead Pipe O. A. Smith went to the Ripley Lot after Some Corn
 

Thurs. Mar. 18, 1886 - Dug up Lead Pipe and Covered the Same and Shelled some Corn
 

Fri. Mar. 19, 1886 - A Rainy Day Went to C. B. Hulslanders after a grist Drawed a Load of Wood and cut some wood
 

Sat. Mar 20, 1886 - Drawed Some four foot Wood up to the Door and Skidded some wood O. A. Smith went over to W. B. Reynolds after a Colt
 

Sun. Mar. 21, 1886 - Stayed at Home all day
 

Mon. Mar 22, 1886 - Went to the Ripley Lot after a Part of the Wood Machine and Some oats
 

Tues. Mar 23, 1886 - Worked about the Barn drawed Some Manure Drawed a Load of wood and Cut Some Wood
 

Wed. Mar 24, 1886 - Cut Some drags of Wood for the machine in the forenoon and Skidded them in the afernoon
 

Thurs. Mar. 25, 1886 - Went to the Ripley Lot after the Rest of the wood Machine Weather warm and Muddy
 

Fri. Mar. 26, 1886 - deaconed a calf Went to T. R. Monroes to Mill and chored about the Barn and house O. A. Smith went to Mansfield
 

Sat. Mar. 27, 1886 - Chored about the Barn fixed Some fence Cut some Wood O. A. Smith went to Jackson
 

Sun. Mar. 28, 1886 - Stayed at Home all day O. A. Smith Returned from Jackson
 

Mon. Mar. 29, 1886 - Went up to T. R. Monroes(5) after the Grist Chored about the house and Barn cut some Wood O. A. S. Went to Mansfield
 

Tues. Mar. 30, 1886 - Fixed fence along the Lane to the Road along the Road to the Line along the Line to the stone wall around the Creek lot O. A. Went to Singing School at night
 

Wed. Mar. 31, 1886 - A Rainy Day Shelled Corn Roofed the ice Bin turned Water out of the Road Arba Wood stayed Over night
 

Thurs. Apr. 1, 1886 - Set the Wood Machine Split Some Wood
 

Fri. Apr. 2, 1886 - Helped load a load of Hay for L. J. Bradford(6) fixed fence on the hill by the woods. Frank Smith and Henry Wood came there at night
 

Sat. Apr. 3, 1886 - fixed fence along the Cow Lane Drawed some straw and fixed the Track of the wood machine Sawed one log came to the house after a file filed the Saw Sawed three cuts kinked the Saw and then quit Came to the house and Straightenend the Saw
 

Sun. Apr. 4, 1886 - Went over home Clarence Smith had got his Mill Set Ready for Sawing Kate Reynolds was there She went up to W. B. Reynolds Went up to E. L. Nashes had Some Warm Sugar to Eat
 

Mon. Apr. 5, 1886 - Went Over to the Ripley Lot after the Plows and Some other farming tools. Snowed at night
 

Tues. Apr. 6, 1886 - A Rainy Day Tinkered about the Barn and House O. A. Smith Made some Irons for his Sleigh Water Raised the Highest Ever Known in the Creek
 

Wed. Apr. 7, 1886 - Snowing O. A. Smith went to Mainesburg Made some Calf Pens in the Barn and Cut some Wood in the Woods
 

Thurs. Apr. 8, 1886 - Churned and Cut Some Wood in the Woods O. A. Smith Went to Mansfield and Brought Home three Cows from the Ripley Lot
 

Fri. Apr. 9, 1886 - fixed some fence across the Creek Commenced Plowing on the Side of old Bunker
 

Sat. Apr. 10, 1886 - Plowed on Old Bunker
 

Sun. Apr. 11, 1886 - Stay at Home All Day
 

Mon. Apr. 12, 1886 - Sawed Wood With the Machine J. Styres Moved a Load to the Ripley Lot and Came over there at night
 

Tues. Apr. 13, 1886 - Fixed some fence around the Hay Lot and Split some wood. J. Styres O. A. Smith Sarah Gertrude and the old Lady(7) went to troy to Get the Writings for the Old Place
 

Wed. Apr. 14, 1886 - Fixed the Board fence across the Creek Lot Weighed Some hay for Abe Slingerland O. A. S. Went to Jackson After a Load for J. W. Styres
 

Thurs. Apr. 15, 1886 - Helped Clean the Cellar and Split Some Wood O. A. S. Came from Jackson With his Load to the Ripley Lot for J. W. Styres
 

Fri. Apr. 16, 1886 - Plowed on Old Bunker
 

Sat. Apr. 17, 1886 - Plowed on old Bunker Weather warm and Pleasant
 

Sun. Apr. 18, 1886 - Warm and Pleasant Went over Home n Horseback O. A. Smith and family went over to John Styres
 

Mon. Apr. 19, 1886 - Finished Plowing Old Bunker Jim Tomlinson Came and took away his Potatoes and apples
 

Tues. Apr. 20, 1886 - Dragged old Bunker over O. A. Smith sowed the oats Commenced dragging them in went to T. R. Monroes After a dressed Pig, wt. 111 lbs.
 

Wed. Apr. 21, 1886 - Finished dragging in the Oats and Plowed the garden O. A. Smith went over to John Styres at night.
 

Thurs. Apr. 22, 1886 - Commenced Plowing above the Orchard Where J. Tomlinson had Corn
 

Fri. Apr. 23, 1886 - Plowed Corn Stubble Above the Orchard O. A. Smith went down to the Saw Mill by Miller Clark's to See about his Logs
 

Sat. Apr. 24, 1886 - Finished Plowing the Corn Stubble Commenced Plowing in the Bunker Lot too wet to Plow Came to the house and Chored about the house and Barn
 

Sun. Apr. 25, 1886 - Went to Sunday School at Chandlersburg there was no Preaching Elder Fosbinder being Sick Went with Cora and Gertrude Styres.
 

Mon. Apr.26, 1886 - Plowed a Patch for Potatoes in the Orchard Lot Below the Orchard O. A. Turned the Cows out to Pasture Commenced Plowing the side Hill Part of the corn field.
 

Tues. Apr. 27, 1886 - April Showers I fixed the fence around the Cow Pasture from the Top of the hill to T. B. Monroes(8) line O. A. Went over to the Ripley Lot after his Potatoes
 

Wed. Apr. 28, 1886 - Finished Plowing the side hill Part of the Cornfield O. A. Went over to the Ripley Lot to help J. W. Styres fix fence
 

Thurs. Apr. 29, 1886 - I Finished Plowing the Old Bunker Lot J. Tomlinson came After his Hay
 

Fri. Apr. 30, 1886 - Dragged the field above the orchard O. A. Sowed a part of it to Wheat dragged in the Wheat and Dragged the Potato Patch Over
 

Sat. May 1, 1886 - Skinned a Calf Dragged in Some Wheat Rolled a Part of the field Back of the Barn O. A. Finished Sowing the wheat and dragged the Rest of it in with Colt and old Kit(9)
 

Sun. May 2, 1886 - Went to Sunday School John Styres and family came over there
 

Mon. May 3, 1886 - Commenced Plowing the Buckwheat field the East Side of the ditch in the field next to T. R. Monroe's Line
 

Tues. May 4, 1886 - dragged the Potato Patch over Plowed in the Buckwheat field Dragged in the Rest of the Bunker Lot to Oats Rained in the afternoon.
 

Wed. May 5, 1886 - Skinned a Calf Went to C. B. Hulslanders(10) to Mill Rained in the forenoon
 

Thurs. May 6, 1886 - Went to C. B. Hulslanders after the grist Plowed in the Buckwheat field O. A. Smith went to Troy
 

Fri. May 7, 1886 - finished Plowing the Buckwheat field for Oats Dragged the same and Rolled the new Seeding by the Barn on the hill O. A. Went over to J. W. Styres
 

Sat. May 8, 1886 - Drawed some Manure from the Old Straw Stock by the Barn on the Hill
 

Sun. May 9, 1886 - Went to Sunday School and Meeting
 

Mon. May 10, 1886 - Put up some Oats to Sow and it Rained Helped Work in the afternoon drawed some more manure
 

Tues. May 11, 1886 - Commenced Plowing for Corn above the Spring Wheat in the field by the Barn O. A. Smith and Wife went to Troy
 

Wed. Mat 12, 1886 - Dragged in a Piece of Oats in the east Side of the Buckwheat field and Plowed some for Corn
 

Thurs. May 12, 1886 - Rained all Day Chored about the House and Barn
 

Fri. May 14, 1886 - fixed fence across the field by the four acre Lot by the Road O. A. Smith went to troy
 

Sat. May 15, 1886 - Finished Plowing for Corn Went up to L. J. Bradfords after a Hog
 

Sun. May 16, 1886 - Went Over to the Ripley Lot to J. W. Styres a Visiting all the folks was along
 

Mon. May 17, 1886 - Rolled the Corn ground and Drawed some fence along the foot of old Bunker and Commenced Plowing for Buckwheat
 

Tues. May 18, 1886 - Plowed for Buckwheat in the 4 acre Lot By the Road next to H. B. Cards Line(11)
 

Wed. May 19, 1886 - Plowed for Buckwheat and Planted a few Potatoes
 

Thurs. May 20, 1886 - Plowed fot Buckwheat and Helped Plant Corn and Potatoes
 

Fri. May 21, 1886 - Plowed for Buckwheat and Went up to L. J. Bradfords to take a Hog Home
 

Sat. May 22, 1886 - Finished Plowing the 4 Acre Lot for Buckwheat O. A. Smith went to Mainesburg
 

Sun. May 23, 1886 - Went to Sunday School and Meeting at Chandlersburg
 

Mon. May 24, 1886 - Commenced Plowing the Creek Lot for Buckwheat
 

Tues. May 25, 1886 - Plowed for Buckwheat in the Creek Lot
 

Wed. May 26, 1886 - finished Plowing the upper side of the Creek Lot it Rained Plowed for Buckwheat across the Creek and finished Dragging the 4 acre Lot to Buckwheat
 

Thurs. May 27, 1886 - Rolled the 4 acre Lot and finished Loowing the Creek Lot and Drawed some Manure O. A. Went to C. B. Hulslanders to Make a Vat for His Milk Cans
 

Fri. May 28, 1886 - Hauled Manure in the Creek Lot for Sowed Corn O. A. Went up to C. B. Hulslanders to finish Making his Vat
 

Sat. May 29, 1886 - Drawed out Manure for Sowed Corn O. A. Went to Troy Gertrude and Rachel(12) Went to Mansfield to Decoration Day
 

Sun. May 30, 1886 - Went to S. S. And Meeting at Chandlersburg
 

Mon. May 31, 1886 - Planted Potatoes O. A. and Family Went to Troy to Decoration Day
 

Tues. June 1, 1886 - Hauled Some Stone Dragged the Ground for Sowed Corn Commenced Plowing for Buckwheat by the Barn on the Hill
 

Wed. June 2, 1886 - Plowed for Buckwheat on the Hill
 

Thurs. June 3, 1886 - Plowed for Buckwheat on the Hill
 

Fri. June 4, 1886 - finished Plowing the field by the Barn on the Hill Rolled the field By the Barn on the Hill
 

Sat. June 5, 1886 - Dragged the field by the Barn on the hill and dragged it to Sowed Corn Dragged the Creek Lot to Buckwheat
 

Sun. June 6, 1886 - Went over Home
 

Mon. June 7, 1886 - finished dragging Sowed corn and Commenced Plowing the 6 acre Lot by T. B. Monroes Line
 

Tues. June 8, 1886 - Plowed for Buckwheat
 

Wed. June 9, 1886 - Plowed for Buckwheat
 

Thurs. June 10, 1886 - Plowed for Buckwheat O. A. Smith went to Limon (sp. Should be Lyman) Smiths after a Bee Hive
 

Fri. June 11, 1886 - Plowed for Buckwheat O. A. S. Went to Troy
 

Sat. June 12, 1886 - Cultivated a Patch of Potatoes Below the Orchard and Hoed a Part of the Same O. A. Went to Mainesburg after his grist
 

Sun. June 13, 1886 - Went to Chandlersburg to S. S. And Children's Day
 

Mon. June 14, 1886 - Drawed Manure on the Buckwheat ground and finished Plowing the Same
 

Tues. June 15, 1886 - Rolled the Spring Wheat Hauled Some Manure Hauled Some Stakes and Poles for fence along the foot of the old Bunker Plowed a patch above the Barn on the Hill
 

Wed. June 16, 1886 - Went to T. R. Monroes after a Couple of Pigs Dragged Buckwheat Ground Cultivated Corn Rained
 

Thurs. June 17, 1886 - Went up to Work in Road(13) Rained Did not Work fixed Brush fence in the afternoon
 

Fri. June 18, 1886 - Worked on the Road
 

Sat. June 19, 1886 - Dragged in Buckwheat in the 6 acre Lot and the field above the Road
 

Sun. June 20, 1886 - Went over to J. W. Styres found them gone Stopped to Justus McConnells(14) to Dinner Went over to E. L. Nash O. A. And family went along(15)
 

Mon. June 21, 1886 - Cultivated Corn and Potatoes Gertrude and her mother Went over to J. W. S. Gertrude went to Mansfield to Commencement O. A. Went to clean his fish Pond
 

Tues. June 22, 1886 - Went up to L. J. Bradfords after His Grain Drill Planted a Patch of Potatoes by the Barn on the Hill Worked on the Road
 

Wed. June 23, 1886 - fixed Brush fence Worked on the Road above C. B. Hulslanders
 

Thurs. June 24, 1886 - Worked on the Road Below the School House(16)
 

Fri. June 25, 1886 - Cultivated Potatoes Below the Orchard and Hoed Potatoes O. A. Went to Mansfield
 

Sat. June 26, 1886 - Chored about the House and Hoed Potatoes O. A. And family went to Jackson to Arba Woods.(17)
 

Sun. June 27, 1886 - Went to quarterly Meeting at Chandlersburg.
 

Mon. June 28, 1886 - Went over to James queals after some Money. Worked on the Road
 

Tues. June 29, 1886 - Cultivated Corn
 

Wed. June 30, 1886 - Hoed Potatoes and Corn
 

Thurs. July 1, 1886 - Mowed in the three Cornered Lot above the Hen House(18). Hoed Corn
 

Fri. July 2, 1886 - Hoed Corn Drawed in the Hay on the three Cornered Lot
 

Sat. July 3, 1886 - Hoed Corn Raked after the Winnows
 

Sun. July 4, 1886 - Went over to J. W. Styres With J. W. Styres and Family (This is exactly the way Emerson wrote it, but perhaps one or the other is an error.)
 

Mon. July 5, 1886 - Went to Mansfield took the train went to Elmira Returned to J. W. Styres at night
 

Tues. July 6, 1886 - Came Home Mowed a part of the Orchard and Hauled in Some Hay
 

Wed. July 7, 1886 - Mowed the Rest of the Orchard Hauled Some Hay it rained a Shower at night
 

Thurs. July 8, 1886 - Cultivated Corn and Mowed a Part of the field Back of the Barn Hauled the Rest of the Orchard and Raked the Hay Back of the Barn O. A. Went up to G. Myers(19)to finish Hay Rack
 

Fri. July 9, 1886 - Cultivated Corn and Hauled in Some Hay and Raked a Piece of Hay O. A. Went to fix G. Myres Reaper Rained in the night.
 

Sat. July 10, 1886 - Finished Plowing Corn Stirred out Some winnows of Hay Plowed the Potatoes by the Orchard Raked and Bunched the Hay
 

Sun. July 11, 1886 - Went to Sunday school and Meeting at Chandlersburg
 

Mon. July 12, 1886 - Mowed along the Ditch by the Cow barns Catched Potato Bugs Drawed Hay
 

Tues. July 13, 1886 - Catched Potato Bugs Raked Some Hay Hoed Potatoes O. A. Went to troy
 

Wed. July 14, 1886 - A Rainy Day Mowed away Some Hay Hoed Potatoes and Hoes in the Garden
 

Thurs. July 15, 1886 - helped Mow the old Part of the field Back of the Barn fixed some brush fence and sowed some Carrots it Rained at night O. A. Went to Mansfield
 

Fri. July 16, 1886 - Fixed the fence around the three cornered Lot by the Granary Weed some Turnips Stirred Some Hay Raked the Hay and Helped bunch it
 

Mon. July 19, 1886 - finished Mowing the field back of the Barn Raked and bunched a Part of it Drawed in a Load
 

Tues. July 20, 1886 - Mowed the field by the barn on the Hill finished Raking the field Back of the Barn and Hauled in the same
 

Wed. July 21, 1886 - Mowed a Part of the Old House Lot Raked the Piece by the Barn on the Hill and bunched the Same
 

Thurs. July 22, 1886 - Mowed a Part of the Old House Lot Raked a part of the Same finished the field Back of the barn and the Piece by the Barn on the Hill and Hauled a load Below the Barn
 

Fri. July 23, 1886 - Hauled Hay Raked and Shocked some Hay O. A. Went to the X Roads With his Black Sow Hog
 

Sat. July 24, 1886 - Hauled Hay Raked Hay and Hauled Hay
 

Sun. July 25, 1886 - Went over Home O. A. And family went along Hattie Queal went Home
 

Mon. July 26, 1886 - A Rainy Day Chored about the House and Barn and Catched Potato Bugs J. W. Styres Came over there
 

Tues. July 27, 1886 - Mowed along the Ditch in the old House Lot and weed some Carrots and Turnips O. A. And family Went over to J. W. Styres
 

Wed. July 28, 1886 - finished Mowing the Old House Lot and hauled the same
 

Thurs. July 29, 1886 - Mowed the Patch above the Buckwheat in the field by T. R. Monroe Line and Hauled in the Same
 

Fri. July 30, 1886 - Catched Some bugs off the Potatoes and Helped Delos Rockwell Bind a Piece of oats O. A. Went over to J. W. Styres Nora, Cora and burt (20)came Back with him.
 

Sat. July 31, 1886 - Helped J. W. Styres Drive a Well Below the Cellar Cal Bogardus and family(21) and J. W. Styres family over there.
 

Sun. Aug. 1, 1886 - Stayed at home O. A. And family and Gertrude and Cals folks went over to Sylvania to Herbert VanValkners a visiting
 

Mon. Aug. 2, 1886 - Cut some Oats in old Bunker and Helped John Drive Well O. A. Went to Troy to take Cals folks to the Cars the old Lady went along
 

Tues. Aug. 3, 1886 - Cut oats on old Bunker
 

Wed. Aug. 4, 1886 - Cut oats on old Bunker Helped J. W. On His Well Went up to C. R. Hulslanders after a chair
 

Thurs. Aug. 5, 1886 - finished Cutting oats on the Bunker Mowed away some Hay Rainy afternoon
 

Fri. Aug. 6, 1886 - Cut Brush in Swamp Lot
 

Sat. Aug. 7, 1886 - Cut Brush in the Swamp Lot O. A. Went to Mainesburg to mill
 

Sun. Aug. 8, 1886 - Stayed at Home all Day O. A. And family and Gertrude went to Meeting
 

Mon. Aug. 9, 1886 - Went over to Northrup Smiths after yorks Hay Rake Raked the oats on Old Bunker and Hauled a Part of the same
 

Tues. Aug. 10, 1886 -Finished Hauling the Oats off old Bunker and cut some oats above the orchard Below the Wheat
 

Wed. Aug. 11, 1886 - Helped T. R. Monroe Haul in some oats Went a berrying
 

Thurs. Aug 12, 1886 - Went a berrying Cut Brush O. A. Went to Mansfield
 

Sat. Aug. 14, 1886 - Cut Brush in the Swamp Lot O. A. Went over to Will Reynolds
 

Sun. Aug. 15, 1886 - Went over Home
 

Mon. Aug. 16, 1886 - Commenced cutting the Wheat above the orchard Rainy Afternoon J. W. Styres was there
 

Tues. Aug. 17, 1886 - Cut some Wheat
 

Wed. Aug. 18, 1886 - Finished cutting Wheat above the Orchard O. A. Went over to Andrew Squires after a couple of ?(22)
 

Thurs. Aug. 19, 1886 - Went to a S. S. Picnic in C. G. Smiths Grove(23)
 

Fri. Aug. 20, 1886 - Hauled a Part of the Wheat and Hauled a Load of oats for Delos Rockwell in payment for Exchanged Labor
 

Sat. Aug. 21, 1886 - Helped Delos Rockwell finish Hauling His Oats and hauled a load of oats and Wheat and cut the Rest of the oats on old Bunker.
 

Sun. Aug. 22, 1886 - Stayed at Home Had the Tooth ache
 

Mon. Aug. 23, 1886 - Raked the oats on old Bunker and Hauled the same and Hauled a Load of wheat
 

Tues. Aug. 24, 1886 - Raked the Wheat Stubble and Hauled in the Rest of the Wheat and set up some Buckwheat and finished Cutting the oats.
 

Wed. Aug. 25, 1886 - Went to Niagara Falls(24)
 

Thurs. Aug. 26, 1886 - Came from Mansfield Hauled a Load of oats and Cut some Buckwheat
 

Fri. Aug. 27, 1886 - Went to Troy
 

Sat. Aug. 28, 1886 - Raked the Last Piece of oats with a horse and Hauled a Part of the same
 

Sun. Aug. 29, 1886 - Went over Home
 

Mon. Aug. 30, 1886 - Finished Hauling Oats Delos Rockwell Helped Raked the Stubble and Hauled the Rakings and Hauled a Loas of Wood Had a Heavy Shower at Night
 

Tues. Aug. 31, 1886 - Cut Buckwheat in the Creek Lot O. A. Went to Mainesburg to get the Tire set on his Lumber Wagon
 

Wed. Sept. 1, 1886 - Cut and Raked Buckwheat in the Creek Lot O. A. And Family and Gertrude Went on the Mountain to a Picnic(25)
 

Thurs. Sept. 2, 1886 - Raked Buckwheat in the Creek Lot and Helped Delos Rockwell Cut Buckwheat O. A. Went to Troy with his Butter Gertrude and Sarah went to Troy to Firemens Parade
 

Fri. Sept. 3, 1886 - Helped Delos Rockwell Cut Buckwheat
 

Sat. Sept. 4, 1886 - Finished Cutting Buckwheat in the Creek Lot Raked a Part of same and cut some on the Hill and Raked a Part of Same
 

Sun. Sept. 5, 1886 - Went to S. S. And Meeting at Chandlersburg
 

Mon. Sept. 6, 1886 - Helped Drive off some Calves and Cut Buckwheat O. A. Went to Warren Roses(26) with his Calves and to Mansfield
 

Tues. Sept. 7, 1886 - Cut Buckwheat Next to T. R. Monroes Line
 

Wed. Sept. 8, 1886 - Raked Buckwheat
 

Thurs. Sept. 9, 1886 - Finished Cutting Buckwheat Delos Rockwell Helped Rake in the afternoon
 

Fri. Sept. 10, 1886 - Cut the Buckwheat above the Barn on the Hill and Raked a Part of same Raked the Rest of the upper Piece O. A. Went over to Orvises and Traded Horses(27)
 

Sat. Sept. 11, 1886 - Sawed Wood With the Machine and Raked the Buckwheat above the Barn on the Hill
 

Sun. Sept. 12, 1886 - Rainy day Stayed at home O. A. and family went over to E. L. Nashs
 

Mon. Sept. 13, 1886 - Cut Sowed Corn in the Creek Lot O. A. Went over to Orvises and Traded Horses Gertrude and the old Lady Went over to J. W. Styres
 

Tues. Sept. 14, 1886 - Went down to J. W. Styres and Helped him Rake Buckwheat Gertrude and the Old Lady Went to Elmira N.Y.
 

Wed. Sept. 15, 1886 - Finished Cutting the Sowed Corn in the Creek Lot and cut some on the Hill O. A. Went down to J. Ws to Help him thresh
 

Thurs. Sept. 16, 1886 - Rainy A. M. Cleaned out the Granary and Hauled some Wood and set up some Buckwheat J. W. Came over With his Engine
 

Fri. Sept. 17, 1886 - Cut Sowed Corn on the Hill
 

Sat. Sept. 18, 1886 - Threshed all Day Threshed oats and a Part of the Wheat 260 bushels Oats
 

Sun. Sept. 19, 1886 - Stayed at home
 

Mon. Sept. 20, 1886 - Finished Threshing the Wheat had 72 bushels Cut a Part of the field Corn Bird York Helped
 

Tues. Sept. 21, 1886 - Finished Cutting the Field Corn Hauled in some Buckwheat J. W. Styres Helped
 

Wed. Sept. 22, 1886 - Finished Hauling the Buckwheat in the 4 acre Lot and the Creek Lot and Threshed the same threshed 100 bushels
 

Thurs. Sept. 23, 1886 - Finished Cutting Sowed Corn on the Hill and Raked a Part of Same
 

Fri. Sept. 24, 1886 - Helped Clean over buckwheat Raked Sowed Corn
 

Sat. Sept. 23, 1886 - Cleaned Buckwheat and Raked Sowed Corn
 

Sun. Sept. 26, 1886 - Went over Home
 

Mon. Sept. 27, 1886 - Raked Sowed Corn and Helped Delos Rockwell Thresh Threshed 61 Bags Barley
 

Tues. Sept. 28, 1886 - Helped Delos Rockwell Thresh
 

Wed. Sept. 29, 1886 - Raked Sowed Corn Fixed fence Split Wood O. A. Went to Mansfield to the Fair
 

Thurs. Sept. 30, 1886 - Went to the Fair with Delos Rockwell Stayed overnight with J. W. Styres
 

Fri. Oct. 1, 1886 - Went to the fir With J. W. Styres Rode Home With Burt Peck
 

Sat. Oct. 2, 1886 - Helped Delos Rockwell Finish Threshing his Buckwheat had 166 bushels Hauled in Buckwheat off the Hill
 

Sun. Oct. 3, 1886 - Went over to J. W. Styres with O. A.
 

Mon. Oct. 4, 1886 - Finished Hauling in Buckwheat Hauled in Some Sowed and Field Corn
 

Tues. Oct. 5, 1886 - Dug the Patch of Potatoes Below the Corn on the Hill O. A. Went to Mainesburg to Mill
 

Wed. Oct. 6, 1886 - Dug the Potato by the Barn on the Hill O. A. Went over to J. W. Styres to help Thresh Buckwheat
 

Thurs. Oct. 7, 1886 - Dug a Part of the Patch Below the Orchard O. A. Helped J. W. Finish his Buckwheat Had 286 Bushels and Went to Mainesburg after the grist
 

Fri. Oct. 8, 1886 - Dug Potatoes Below the Orchard
 

Sat. Oct. 9, 1886 - Helped Delos Rockwell Dig Potatoes Dug 69 Bushels
 

Sun. Oct. 10, 1886 - Went over Home O. A. And family and the Old Lady Went along
 

Mon. Oct. 11, 1886 - Helped C. B. Hulslanders Hired Man Fred Brink Haul in Buckwheat
 

Tues. Oct. 12, 1886 - Raked Some Sowed Corn Dug Some Potatoes and Husked Some Corn
 

Wed. Oct. 13, 1886 - Husked Corn O. A. Smith went Over to J. W. Styres after his Pig
 

Thurs. Oct. 14, 1886 - Threshed Buckwheat Threshed 56 Bags J. W. Styres Machine
 

Fri. Oct. 15, 1886 - Gathered Apples O. A. Went over to J. W. Styres to Fix his Pipe to Bring Water to the Barn
 

Sat. Oct. 16, 1886 - Gathered Apples and Husked Corn O. A. Worked on his Pipe and Came home at Night
 

Sun. Oct. 17, 1886 - Stayed at Home all Day O. A. and Gertrude Went over to Church to Hear the New Minister
 

Mon. Oct. 18, 1886 - Went to Troy O. A. and Family and Gertrude went along. O. A. and Family Went to Elmira Gertrude Brought Home a new Parlor Stove
 

Tues. Oct. 19, 1886 - Husked Corn
 

Wed. Oct. 20, 1886 - Husked Corn Went to the X Roads after O. A. and Family. Mary and Ida Bogardus Came home With them.
 

Thurs. Oct. 21, 1886 - Helped Delos Rockwell Husk Corn Finished husking Corn O. A. Went to Join the Grange in the Evening
 

Fri. Oct. 22, 1886 - Helped G. A. Myres Thresh
 

Sat. Oct. 23, 1886 - Hauled in the Corn and Hauled Some Pumpkins
 

Sun. Oct. 24, 1886 - Went over Home
 

Mon. Oct. 25, 1886 - Hauled in the Sowed Corn and Corn Stalks Pulled some turnips and Carrots O. A. Went to Mainesburg
 

Tues. Oct. 26, 1886 - Commenced Plowing the Buckwheat stubble by T. R. Monroes Line Hauled in Some Apples Rainy Afternoon O. A. Went to Troy
 

Wed. Oct. 27, 1886 - A Rainy Day Chored about the Barn and Hauled a Load of Pumpkins Went up to L. J. Bradfords to take his Horse Home
 

Thurs. Oct. 28, 1886 - A Rainy Day Cleaned over Wheat Went over to James Queals after Pay on a Note
 

Fri. Oct. 29, 1886 - Hauled in Some Potatoes and Carrots Cleaned over Wheat O. A. Went over to J. W. Styres after Mary and Ida Bogardus
 

Sat. Oct. 30, 1886 - Went over Home Went up to uncle Bennetts(28) to Ezra Reynolds Birthday Party. Went over to Roseville
 

Sun. Oct. 31, 1886 - Stayed over Home all Day and Came Back at night
 

Mon. Nov. 1, 1886 - Plowed on the Hills in the Buckwheat field by T. R. Monroes Line
 

Tues. Nov. 2, 1886 - Went over to Roseville to Election Plowed on the Hill
 

Wed. Nov. 5, 1886 - Plowed on the Hill
 

Thurs. Nov. 4, 1886 - Plowed on the Hill O. A. Went to Grange Meeting
 

Fri. Nov. 5, 1886 - Plowed on the Hill
 

Sat. Nov. 6, 1886 - Plowed on the Hill Finished the field by T. R. Monroes Line and Plowed some by the Barn on the Hill Had a Snow Storm in the Aternoon
 

Sun. Nov. 7, 1886 - Stayed at Home all Day O. A. And Wife and Gertrude Went over to church at Chandlersburg
 

Mon. Nov. 8, 1886 - Plowed a Part of the Creek lot O. A. Went to Mansfield
 

Tues. Nov. 9, 1886 - Plowed in the Creek Lot
 

Wed. Nov. 10, 1886 - Plowed on the Hill by the Barn
 

Thurs. Nov. 11, 1886 - Plowed on the Hill and in the Creek Lot
 

Fri. Nov. 12, 1886 - Plowed in the Creek Lot finished the Creek Lot Had a Snow Storm O. A. Went over to J. W. Styres to Set out Some trees
 

Sat. Nov. 13, 1886 - Snowy and Blustery Chored around the Barn and Sat by the fire.
 

Sun. Nov. 14, 1886 - Stayed at Home all Day
 

Mon. Nov. 15, 1886 - Hauled Wood and Commenced Cutting Wood O. A. Was Taken Lame So he Could Scarcely Stir
 

Tues. Nov. 16, 1886 - A Stormy Day Chored about the Barn and Sat by the fire
 

Wed. Nov. 17, 1886 - A Stormy Day Helped about the Chores and Sat by the fire
 

Thurs. Nov. 18, 1886 - Helped do the Chores and Sat by the fire
 

Fri. Nov. 19, 1886 - Helped J. W. on his Wood House
 

Sat. Nov 20, 1886 - Helped J. W. On His Wood House
 

Sun. Nov. 21, 1886 - Stayed at Home all Day O. A. and family Went over to E. L. Nashs
 

Mon. Nov. 22, 1886 - Helped J. W. On His Wood Shed
 

Tues. Nov. 23, 1886 - Helped J. W. Saw Wood
 

Wed. Nov. 24, 1886 - Helped J. W. On His Wood Shed Went over to J. W. To Help him Cut Wood
 

Thurs. Nov. 25, 1886 - Had a Snow Storm Sat by the fire
 

Fri. Nov. 26, 1886 - Helped J. W. Haul Some Wood and sat by the fire Went to Mansfield Bought a Pair Rubber Boots J. W. Bought a New Stove
 

Sat. Nov. 27, 1886 - Helped J. W. Split Some Wood and Helped Saw some Wood
 

Sun. Nov. 28, 1886 - Stayed at J. Ws all Day
 

Mon. Nov. 29, 1886 - Went with J. W. To Chandlersburg He got his horses Shod Went over and Helped Him haul some Wood for his Mother
 

Tues. Nov. 30, 1886 - Split Some Wood for the Old Lady Went to Chandlersburg to Get their Horse Shod
 

Wed. Dec. 1, 1886 - Sawed some Wood With the Machine Stephen Beach(29) Came over With a feed Mill to Sell to J. W.
 

Thurs. Dec. 2, 1886 - Helped about the chores and Sat by the fire J. W. Came over to Grind found His Engine froze and Busted
 

Fri. Dec. 3, 1886 - Helped about the chores and Sat by the fire Blustering and Cold
 

Sat. Dec. 4, 1886 - Helped Saw Wood With the Machine
 

Sun. Dec. 5, 1886 - Stayed at Home Arba Wood and Wife and Demetrius Comfort came there at Night
 

Mon. Dec. 6, 1886 - Cut Some Wood for Mrs. Styres in the Afternoon Delos Rockwell Helped me Saw
 

Tues. Dec. 7, 1886 - Cut Wood on the Hill With Delos Rockwell
 

Wed. Dec. 8, 1886 - Split the Wood O. A. Hauled it to the House
 

Thurs. Dec. 9, 1886 - Finished Cutting Wood Delos Rockwell Helping
 

Fri. Dec. 10, 1886 - Split up the Wood at the House J. W. Ground Some feed With his Mill
 

Sat. Dec. 11, 1886 - Helped O. A. Grind Some Chop feed Went over Home at Night
 

Sun. Dec. 12, 1886 - Went Over to J. W. Styres the old folks went along
 

Mon. Dec. 13, 1886 - Hauled a Load of Wood and Cut some Wood
 

Tues. Dec. 14, 1886 - Finished Cutting the Wood at the Door and Went over to Delos Rockwells to Help Cut Wood found Him with His foot Cut so He Couldn't Work Stayed with O. A.
 

Wed. Dec. 15, 1886 - Went over to Isaac Richmonds after some S?ng irons Cut Wood for Delos Rockwell Gene Wood Arba Wood and Bird York(30) helped me Cut
 

Thurs. Dec. 16, 1886 - Helped Gene and Arba Wood Cut Wood for L. J. Bradford
 

Fri. Dec. 17, 1886 - Came over Home found the old folks Gone Went up to uncle Bennetts
 

Sat. Dec. 18, 1886 - Hauled Wood all Day
 

Sun. Dec. 19, 1886 - Went up to Uncle Bennetts
 

Mon. Dec. 20, 1886 - Cut Wood at the Door
 

Tues. Dec. 21, 1886 - Cut Wood at the Door and Went with Will Reynolds Over to O. A. Smiths after my trunk
 

Wed. Dec. 22, 1886 - Helped D. W. Reynolds(31) Cut Some Wood Will Reynolds Cut My Hair
 

Thurs. Dec. 23, 1886 - Helped D. W. Reynolds Cut some Wood and Went over to O. A. Smiths and Back
 

Fri. Dec 24, 1886 - Cut Some Wood on the Hill D. W. Reynolds Helped me Saw
 

Sat. Dec. 25, 1886 - Went over to J. W. Styres Visiting the old folks Went Had Nashs Team
 

Sun. Dec. 26, 1886 - Went over to O. A. Smiths at Night and Styres Over night
 

Mon. Dec. 27, 1886 - Went with O. A. Smith over to Lyman Reynolds to Work Commenced Work for Lyman Reynolds
 

Tues. Dec. 28, 1886 - Split some Wood and Chored about the House and Helped move a Load of Straw
 

Wed. Dec. 29, 1886 - Helped Haul Wood Split some Wood in te Woods and Cut some Drags of Wood
 

Thurs. Dec. 30, 1886 - Went to the Post Office Helped Wash the Plastering in the kitchen and Split some Wood Limy and his Mother went to the Grange
 

Fri. Dec. 31, 1886 - Helped Haul some Wood and Split some wood Charly Strange and folks Came a visiting Lyman Went to a Entertainment at Mainesburgh at Night

1. Orrin Alonzo Smith or Lon or Lonzo was brother of Emerson.

2. Emerson worked for his brother-in-law, John Styres, husband of his sister Jennie.

3. From later entries in the diary, it would appear that Orrin Alonzo SMITH and his wife Sarah STYRES Smith had purchased a farm from J. TOMLINSON and that they had then moved their goods from the RIPLEY Farm where they had lived previously to the TOMLINSON Farm. It was customary to do moving in March as that was apparently the best point in the farming cycle to make a move. All renters moved in March, on the first day.

4. Chandlersburg is the earliest name for the settlement later called Elk Run and now frequently called Bungy. Descendants of the Chandlers who left their name are still in the neighborhood with names such as Smith, Brace, Palmer, Fethers etc.

5. Brother of Sadie Monroe whose diaries are also part of this collection.

6. Leonard J. Bradford on the North Road in Sullivan. A neighbor of the Styres.

7. Rachel, mother of Sarah STYRES Smith and John W. STYRES was frequently referred to as "the old lady." Gertrude was sister to Sarah and John. John's wife, Jennie SMITH Styres, Orrin Alonzo SMITH and Emerson SMITH were siblings. Rachel's husband William STYRES had just died in February of 1886 which may be part of what initiated the move of Sarah and O. A. To property next to the Styres.

8. Styres lived next to T. R. Monroe, so the Tomlinson property that Sarah and O.A. bought must have been very near. I do not find a Tomlinson in that area on the 1875 map.

9. Colt and Old Kit were apparently the names of the horses.

10. Charles Hulslander lived on the North Road, a neighbor of the Styres and Monroes and Bradfords. North Road is now called Hulslander Road.

11. 1875 map shows Styres between Monroe and Card properties, so apparently Sarah and O.A. were right there also.

12. Gertude was sister of John Styres and Rachel was their mother. She was wife of William Styres but her real name is not known at this writing.

13. Farmers could work off part of their tax obligation by maintaining the roads, so they all worked together on this in the early summer. This continued for some time as Mildred MUDGE mentions working on the road in 1913 letters to her intended, Lee TICE.

14. Justus McConnell and wife Permelia Squires lived on Ashley Hill Road near the Richmond Township Line.

15. Caroline Matilda SMITH, called 'Til', another sibling of Emerson, Jennie, and O. A. married E. L. Nash. It was customary at that time to refer to homes and property as belonging to the the man only, so even though they were visiting their sister and her husband, they refer only to him. In many cases, if a woman was referred to at all in newspapers, etc, she was only called 'wife' and not named. Even if named, she might be called "Mrs." followed by her husband's first and last name. This custom is still followed in the present day by many in the older generation, those who came of age prior to 1960. I am optimistic that those of you who read this a century from now will find it a completely foreign idea and need an explanation. It is important to remember as we read this and other early treatments that the omission of mentioning a woman's presence does not necessarily imply that she was not present. We know from the early histories where men were credited with settling new areas alone, that this was not so. In the most extreme cases, we have seen newspaper accounts where men were credited with giving birth (ie, a daughter to Menzo Mudge)and in one obituary a woman was said to have died "at the home of her husband." I will be inclined to comment on this awkward and unnatural handling whenever I see it but will try to restrain myself having said it once.

16. Given the location, this would be the Hulslander School on North Road.

17. Helen STYRES, sister of Sarah STYRES Smith, married Arba WOOD. Once again only the man in mentioned even though they are visiting a female sibling. In an age when the only options women had were to be wives or spinster sisters, "Mrs." was a point of honor.

18. The only females who were allowed a house of their own were hens and cows.

19. Not certain of the last name here. Myers is not a name I know in that area at that time.

20. These are the three oldest children of Jennie SMITH and John W. STYRES.

21. Cora STYRES, who was age 10 in 1886, later married John C. BOGARDUS. This is probably his family. John became a photographer in Horseheads NY.

22. Keys, kegs, rugs, don't know. Andrew lived on the road that cut over from Ashley Hill to Mainesburg. It is now called Seymour Hill Road as it comes out of Mainesburg. Andrew's was the place just north of what is called The Brewster Place. It burned in the 1960s or 1970s or so. Some tall evergreen trees were present until recently to mark its place.

23. Charles Guthrie SMITH - This is at the top of the hill overlooking Chandlersburg or Elk Run. It is above where the old school was and it is the house above where Charles' grandaughter Paulina lived until her death in 1995.

24. This would be a significant trip for a single day. Even today, if driving, it would be a long journey to and from. Emerson, no doubt, could take the train and probably slept on an overnight trip home.

25. "On the Mountain" means Armenia Mountain which starts in Sullivan and Ward Townships in Tioga County and Armenia Township in Bradford County.

26. Warren and his brother were in business to buy and sell livestock and farm produce.

27. Orvises were Sullivan Township farmers in the Gray Valley area.

28. Bennett Reynolds, brother of Emerson's mother Harriet Reynolds.

29. Stephen Beach was husband of Jeanette McConnell and lived at the location in Sullivan called Sopers Corners.

30. The York property of Sullivan is still in the ownership of York family members. Ralph York, son of Bird, lived there until his death just a short time ago. It is at the foot of Sanitarium Hill on the north end of the North Road.

31. D. W. Reynolds is the same Daniel Reynolds who was working for Joe Holly in his 1880 diary.  

The History Center on Main Street, 83 N. Main Street, Mansfield PA 16933   histcent83@gmail.com
Bradford County PA
Chemung County NY
Tioga County PA
Published On Tri-Counties Site On 27 DEC 1997 
By Joyce M. Tice
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