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Dec. 23. Tuesday. I have been to the store myself for presents and confectionary for the Christmas tree. Mrs. Blakeslee has called this afternoon with her twins. They both run about, therefore require much care. (T.S.R. 49. 2 P.M. 59. S.S. 53.) Dec. 24. Wednesday. I have been to Susie's this afternoon to help her fix the Christmas tree. There are presents for every child, and the tree looks finely. It is a beautiful pine tree, got by Roland in the unto. We put a bunch of live oak twigs at the root, ornamented with ribbons, to cover up the standard. John Robbins & T. Walker to tea. (T.S.R. 42. 2 P.M. 55. S.S. 45.) Dec. 25. Thursday. Christmas day. This we have spent at Susie's with Leonora, and Willie and all the men except Mr. Brumback dined there. Mrs. Blakeslee with her children, also Mr. Hett besides all our family made quite a large gathering. After dinner, the Christmas Tree was unloaded, as we could not spend the evening there. Each of the children had a cake and a bag of candy. Willie and Horace had each a pocket inkstand with penholder and pens, Leonora and Lettir Walker had each a needle book with a piece of cahier is for aprons. Helen and Ada had each a needle book and pincushion, Helen, Emily, Ada, Daniel, Luther and Howard had each a little book, Luther and Daniel had each a rubber ball. Elmer and Ida had each a rubber rattle, Sarah and Emily had each string of beads for their dolls, Sarah, Elmer, Ada and Ida had cash a pair of stockings, while Emily, Annie, Alice, Howard, Sarah and Horace Mann had each a white mug-also Ida and Horace Mann had some new flannel sacks. The children were delighted, and will never forget it. The weather is cloudy. (T.S.R. 43. 2 P.M. 55. S.S. 49.) Dec. 26. Friday. Weather cloudy. (T.S.R. 43. 2 P.M. 47. S.S. 43.) Dec. 27. Saturday. Still cloudy. (T.S.R. 43. 2 P.M. 45. S.S. 46.) Dec. 28. Sabbath. We have had a sermon read today by Mr. W. P. Blakeslee. One of H. W. Beacher's text-Eph. 5.21. It was mostly relative to the training of children and was full of excellent ideas. Mr. Howland was here to tea. (T.S.R. 40. 2 P.M. 48. S.S. 48.) Dec. 29. Monday. (T.S.R. 37. 2 P.M. 52. S.S. 48.) Dec. 30. Tuesday. The weather has been cloudy and rainy. (T.S.R. 31. 2 P.M. 48. S.S. 46.) Dec. 31. Wednesday. The morning was rainy, but the old year would not leave us in tears, so the afternoon and evening are fair. Horace Mann is now two years old, weighs twentyseven and one half pounds and measures two feet and seven inches tall. He weighs the same that Ada did but is not as tall as either of the others. His last teeth have not yet appeared, but his health is very good now. His hair is very light and curls prettily in his neck. He can speak many words, but is quite irritable and babyish in disposition, owing to his long sickness. The year is closing. It has seemed like the flight of an arrow, as it has sped away. Its course has been marked with many mercies, but my cares have been so time-engrossing, that I hardly know whether I have had enjoyment or otherwise. I regret that we have so large a family. I should delight to spend much time in the company of the children. I feel it is my duty, but it is impossible for me to do it, and attend to the wants of the family. My husband also is so pressed with business, that I get but little sympathy or encouragement from him. Is he losing his affection for me? If so, why? I cannot tell. I hope to be always kind and pleasant to him. Our lives together may be short, let us be happy while we remain here. Old year, goodbye! (T.S.R. 50. 2 P.M. 53. S.S. 47.)
Date Original
December 1862
Dates Covered
1862-1869
Source
Original diary dimensions: 23 x 35 cm.
Resource Identifier
Locke_Diary_1862-1869_Image033.tif
Publisher
Holt-Atherton Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library
Rights Management
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Keywords
Delia Locke, diaries, women, diarist, California, Locke-Hammond Family Papers, Lockeford, CA, Dean Jewett Locke, rural life, rural California, 19th Century, church, temperance organizations, Mokelumne River Ladies' Sewing Circle, temperature recordings, journal
