Creator

Delia Locke

Preview

image preview

Transcription

1874. Nov. 20. Friday. Mother seems more comfortable today. Father came in and brought a pair of brass andirons sent to me from the East by Aunt Olive Stetson. (T.S.R. 34.2 P.M. 52. S.S. 48.) Nov. 21. Saturday. A cloudy day and a very windy night. I have not been dressed today, am threatened with fever. Eliza and Hannah Geffroy came in. (T.S.R. 34.2 P.M. 54. S.S. 50.) Nov. 22. Sabbath. Weather cloudy and windy. I have been up about one-half the day. Mrs. Inglis came in after meeting. Poor woman! she grieves so for her John. (T.S.R. 49.2 P.M. 55. S.S. 52.) Nov. 23. Monday. A very windy and rainy day. A letter from Ada says the Normal School is increasing. (T.S.R. 50.2 P.M. 54. S.S. 54.) Nov. 24. Tuesday. Cloudy. Wrote to Ada. (T.S.R. 58.2 P.M. 63. S.S. 60.) Nov. 25. Wednesday. Still Cloudy. (T.S.R. 49.2 P.M. 64. S.S. 60.) Nov. 26. Thursday. Thanksgiving Day. Still cloudy. O if Mother were well ! We hope she is better. (T.S.R. 52.2 P.M. 58. S.S. 53.) Nov. 27. Friday. Mother very weak. (T.S.R. 40.2 P.M. 60. S.S. 57.) Nov. 28. Saturday. Mother seemed much worse this morn, and Josiah thought best to telegraph to Dr. Langdon to come out. They also telegraphed to Horace Hammond and Mr. Geffroy to come up. We are afraid she cannot live long. Dr. Langdon arrived just at dusk. He thinks there is no hope of her recovery. Poor father, he is almost inconsolable. Dr. is afraid to have me go over, as I am so weak. Mother cannot speak this eve. 1874. While Dr. Langdon was here, Josiah asked her," Do you know me Mother"? She answered. "Yes - Josiah." They have spoken repeatedly to her since then, but she does not answer. We think she cannot speak, for she tried to show her tongue to Dr. Langdon, but could not seem to control it. The last sentence she spoke about noon to Mr. Ross. He came in to see her and said, "I'm sorry to see you so poorly. Mother, but the Lord's will be done. The Lord Jesus loves us." She smiled and repeated this after him. "Yes, the Lord Jesus loves us." I have longed to be one to watch beside her, but it is not my privilege, Hannah and Susie are there, also Roland. (T.S.R. 45.2 P.M. 62. S.S. 58.) Nov. 29. Sabbath. A foggy morn. Roland came in early to say that Mother is dead - died at ten minutes past twelve. So "very early in the morning, upon the first day of the week," she ascended to the Father, aged fifty eight years and seven months. She never spoke again, but when she died, her face lighted all up with a sweet smile, and we think she had a heavenly vision. Did not the dear Saviour, whom she loved and trusted, appear to go with her through the "dark valley and shadow of death"? We think so, and if she could have spoken, we think she would have said "I will fear no evil, for thou act with me." As the bell tolled for her this morn, it was sad to think she has gone and left us, but delightful to think of her glorious waking in the courts above, and of the sweet Sabbath she is spending "where He is." Went over there this afternoon. Sad indeed it is to see Father weeping over his companion, lost indeed to him, she who has been so faithful to him for forty years. But one can hardly weep as they look upon her sweet face, so smiling and peaceful, looking just as if she had fallen into a sweet slumber. Her fands are folded, as if to rest, and it is comforting to think she is resting, for she was so tired. This is what she has said ever since she got home, and she could not find rest in this world, but now she will forever rest from toil and sin, upon the bosom of her Saviour. Horace Hammond, Mr. Geffroy and Mable came on the noon train. So all the children and grand - children are here but Ada. We cannot consistently send for her, for they are to have an examination this coming week. I feel so sorry that she cannot be here (T.S.R. 42.2 P.M. 62. S.S. 54.) Nov. 30. Monday. Foggy all day. We have laid Mother away by the side of Aunt Hannah Holden, over by Geo.'s. The funeral was at one o'clock in the church, which was filled with people. Rev. J. H. Warren D.D. having been at Lodi yesterday, was invited to officiate at the funeral which he did, taking for his text," Let me die the death of the righteous. &

Date Original

January 1874

Dates Covered

1870-1874

Source

Original diary dimensions: 22 x 33 cm.

Resource Identifier

Locke_Diary_1870-1874_Image169.tif

Publisher

Holt-Atherton Special Collections, University of the Pacific Library

Rights Management

To view additional information on copyright and related rights of this item, such as to purchase copies of images and/or obtain permission to publish them, click here to view the Holt-Atherton Special Collections policies.

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

COinS