Diary Della Peck
Diary
Of
Della Maude Peck






THE DIARY OF 
DELLA MAUDE PECK

For The Year 1894

Edited by

Her Granddaughter
Jayne Anne (Davis) Szaz

Raleigh, North Carolina
1999

Page 2
Tuesday, October 2, 1894: Today is the first day of Morris fair. Mama went to New
Berlin today. Wednesday, October 3, 1894: I went to the fair today. Bertha and Harry Butts came
home with me. Thursday, October 4, 1894: I did not go to the fair to day for it looked so much
like rain, but did not rain. Jason and wife came home to night. Friday, October 5, 1894: I went down to Jason's to day. It has been raining this
after noon. Saturday, October 6, 1894: Father went to the cider mill today. The wind blows
quite hard; it has rained some. Alice came up to day. Sunday, October 7, 1894: Mr. and Mrs. Abraham Chappel visited here, also Jason
and Alice. It is a pleasant day. The wind blows quite hard. Monday, October 8, 1894: We washed to day. Our new cider was made Oct. 6. Grandpa
went to Binghamton to day to the laying of the corner stone. Tuesday, October 9, 1894: This is the first day of New Berlin fair 9th 10th 11th.
Pa and Ma have gone up to Mr. Gage's to pick apples. Wednesday, October 10, 1894: To day the New Berlin fair but is raining so the
fair is postponed untill 12th 13th. Thursday, October 11, 1894: It is raining now. Father and Mother have gone to
Morris after a plant Mrs. Moore has taken up for me. The name is Wygelia rosa. Friday, October 12, 1894: Father and Mother went over to Grand-ma's yesterday
11th. We went to the fair to-day. It was pleasant. Saturday, October 13, 1894: Father went to New Berlin. There is no fair to day.
It rained in the fore noon. Sunday, October 14, 1894: A Snow Storm, first of the season to-day. Alice & Jason
were here to dinner. Jason, Father & Dell Holmes went chestnuting. Monday, October 15, 1894: Dell Holmes drawed the first load of goods for Mrs. T.
Holmes. She is agoing to leave. Dell's team run away and ran home, broke harness. Tuesday, October 16, 1894: Mary Bennett (Holmes) left her husband for good to day,
is now over to Delberts. It is quite cold to-day. Alice came up after some butter
milk. Wednesday, October 17, 1894: Alices birthday. She spent the afternoon with me. I
gave her a lampmat. We rec'd a letter from Aunt Sarah. Thursday, October 18, 1894: Father and Mother took me up to Mr. Chappels to visit
a few days. It is a very pleasant day. Friday, October 19, 1894: I am visiting at Mr. Chapels, am making a tidy for Aunt
Sarah of Druggist twine, color old gold, light blue ribbon trim. Saturday, October 20, 1894: I went to New Berlin with Mr. Chappel with the
expectations of coming home, but did not. Went back with him. Sunday, October 21, 1894: Father drove up after me to-day. Mrs. Chappel gave
me a female bird. I brought it home to day. Monday, October 22, 1894: Nothing written. Tuesday, October 23, 1894: I put the carpet down in the front room upstairs.
I have quite a cold, first of the season. Am quite deaf for the first time
since June 9th. Wednesday, October 24, 1894: To day I made a wheel tidy of white carpet warp
for my self. Alice staid with me to night, Jason to Oneonta. Thursday, October 25, 1894: I went home with Alice and staid nearly all day.
Pa and Mama went to New Berlin. Pa rec'd his pail of tobacco from Bing___ to day. Friday, October 26, 1894 through Monday, October 29, 1894: Nothing written. Tuesday, October 30, 1894: There is this eve at Mr. Aden Angels a social. Father,
Mother and I were present. There were 40 present. Mr. Phillips from the west was there. Wednesday, October 31, 1894: Nothing written. Thursday, November 1, 1894: Father butchered a pig for Mr. Gage. Mother went with
him. I went up to Mary Ann Balls. I called on Mrs. Charles Sweet. Friday, November 2, 1894: We butchered our pigs to day. Papa went to New Berlin
this after-noon. Jason went to Sidney to visit F. Simmons. Saturday, November 3, 1894: Bert French is here, came last night and will stay
to night. Father and Bert went to Mr. Parishes to a Husking. They set a nice table. Sunday, November 4, 1894: Father & Mother have gone to Grand Ma Ball's. I have a
terrible cold, guess I caught it at the social. Monday, November 5, 1894 through Wednesday, November 7, 1894: Nothing written. Thursday, November 8, 1894: Jason returned from Sidney to day. Friday, November 9, 1894: Grand-pa came over to day, will go to N. Berlin with us
to morrow. Alice came from Morris to day. Saturday, November 10, 1894: I went to New Berlin to day and bought my blue dress.
I paid 50 cents per yard, all cost $5.29. I paid it out of my hop picking money. Sunday, November 11, 1894: There is some snow on the ground now. It has been quite
pleasant, though very muddy. Alice came up a few minutes. Monday, November 12, 1894: Today Mother and I washed. Tuesday, November 13, 1894: Papa butchered Mr. Backus's pigs to day. I went down
to Jason's this after noon. He fixed my shoe. It is very cold to day. It snows. Wednesday, November 14, 1894: Father and Jason went to New Berlin. Father went up
to Abrahams Chappel's to get him to cut up beef. Thursday, November 15, 1894: Mr. and Mrs. Chappels came down and cut up our beef
today. Alice & Jason [and] Mr. and Mrs. Chappel were here to tea. Beef steak for supper. Friday, November 16, 1894: Bought my corset. To night is the surprise party to
Geo. Killkenny's. I went and got my dress cut to Mrs. Ellis's. It will cost
$3.00 dollars. Saturday, November 17, 1894: Bought my corset to day. I mean yesterday instead of
to day. The snow has nearly gone. There were 40 to the party. Sunday, November 18, 1894: Father and Mother went up to Mary Ann Balls and took
her some meat. Alice came up this afternoon and staid to tea. Monday, November 19, 1894: We washed and it is very cold to day. Father ploughed
some this morn but it snowed and he had to stop. Tuesday, November 20, 1894, and Wednesday, November 21, 1894: Nothing written. Thursday, November 22, 1894: We all went to New Berlin to day. I went to see about
my dress. Ma got her hat, cost $1.60. Friday, November 23, 1894: Father and Mother went to Oneonta. Jason and Alice
are here doing chores. It rained some to day. Saturday, November 24, 1894: Saturday Alice & I went over to Ida Wilson's. Called
on Mary Ann Ball. It is very pleasant. Sunday, November 25, 1894: We have staid at home all day, but this evening we went
over to Mr. Parishes. Monday, November 26, 1894: Father and Mother came home about five o'clock. It
is quite cold. Tuesday, November 27, 1894: Mother is in severe pain. She has not set up much
to day, but is feeling some better to night. Wednesday, November 28, 1894: The snow is blowing and it is snowing and is
very cold. Jason is here and we invited him & Alice up to Thanksgiving dinner. Thursday, November 29, 1894: Jason and Alice are here for dinner. We had apple
pie, sugar cookies, spare rib, dressing, bread, apple sauce, butter, potatoes, turnips. Friday, November 30, 1894 through Thursday, December 6, 1894: Nothing written. Friday, December 7, 1894: We all went to Wm. Allens to a surprise party on a
stone boat. There was 75 or 80 people there. Jason and Alice went with us. Saturday, December 8, 1894: Father and Mother went to New Berlin to day. Got
a package of gold dust dress shields. Sunday, December 9, 1894: Father and Mother went over to Grand pa's. Alice and
I went over to Pudneys. We had a little snowstorm to day. Monday, December 10, 1894 through Sunday, December 23, 1894: Nothing written. Monday, December 24, 1894: We went to the Babtist Xmas tree. Jason, wife and I
went with Bert Backus. Cora, Mother Backus, Nettie Banff, Eva, Ma & Pa went with
our horse and wagon. Tuesday, December 25, 1894: Xmas, Jason & Alice eat dinner with us. Mother gave
me a pair of linnen towels. Minnie sent me a silk handkerchief--a merry Christmas. Wednesday, December 26, 1894 through Monday, December 31, 1894: Nothing written. MEMORANDA The twin girls were born Dec. 25, 1893 at half past twelve and half-past two AM.
Mother's age was 43. Dr. Hazard attended her. Money Expended 1 pair rubbers…………………………………………………………………….40 2 " Hose……… …….……………………………………………………… 20 glasses….……………………………………….……………………………...3.00 Winter cloak…………………………………………………………………... 7.00 veil…..………………………………………………………………………….25D veil…….……………………………………………………………………… .25 Gloves Gauntlet….….………………………………………………………….25D neck tie.…………….…………………………………………………………….25 Summer hat………….…………………………………………………………2.12 Shoes pat'd toes……….………………………………………………………..2.00 Mackintosh……………………………………………………………………..2.00 Stockings…………………………………………………………………………50 Dr. Fish, Dentist, ordered mouthwash 1 bottle…………………………………………………………………………...35 1 …"……………………………………………………………………………..35 cleaning teeth…………………………………………………………………….50 Paid to Dr. Fish, filling teeth………………………………………………………….$3.50 Mabel Gardner was married August 18 by Rev. G. F. Ace of Morris. Year of /94 I picked 233/4 boxes of hops for C. H. Woodard. 30 cents per box. January 1895 Mabel and Fred Funnell, Charles and Ida and the 2 children came over to day, Jan 27th. The sleighing is very nice now. February 8, 1895 is the worst day we have had this winter. It has blowed the snow
all day in terrible drifts. February 9, 1895: The weather is a little more moderate to day, but is very cold. 1895: I went to a Dance with Casson Sergeant to Mr. Irvin Churches in Jan and
over to George Fords the 29 of Jan. There was a dance to Ira Sergeants Feb. 5th. Casson came after me but I did not
go on account of the weather. It was a very cold night. Jason and Alice went.
The first dance I ever attended was over to Livingstons, except hop-picking dances. Dr. D. M. Lee of Oxford preformed the operation on the left side of my nose and
throat Aug. 20, 1892. Cost $9.00 March 1897 Floyd Angell died Saturday night Mar 27 at 20 min of nine. Funeral Tuesday. I
worked there a week. Jason helped to lay him out. 1897-November 24-I attend the wedding at Freeman Ellis Wednesday the 24th.
Charles Mather to Miss Cora Borroughs of Edmeston. FHE and I stood up with
them at 3 o'clock and FHE came home with us from the wedding, staid to nights.
He ate Thanksgiving dinner with us. He went home Nov. 26, 1897. There were
ten at the wedding. Year 1906 Sept. 16th. I was baptized Sept. 16, 1906. F. H. Ellis born Apr. 17, 1875. Geneva had her throat operation March 14, 1906, removed toncils and adnoyes. 1897-People at my party Ella Bemiss………………………………………..1 Lena Hunter……………………………………….2 May Bruce…………………………………………3 Mary Patrick……………………………………….4 Alice Peck………………………………………….5 Edd Williams………………………………………6 Floyd Bemiss………………………………………7 John Hunter………………………………………...8 Fred Lull……………………………………………9 Arthur Cooke……………………………………...10 Harve Chase……………………………………….11 Jason Peck………………………………………….12 Della Peck………………………………………….13 Lymon Patrick……………………………………..14 Alfred Patrick………………………………………15 Cora Backus………………………………………..16 Mary Pudney……………………………………….17 1897 Feb. 10, 1897 was the dance to John Dilworths. I went, came home the 13th. Dec. 28, 1896-our dance over to Grand Pa's before we moved. My party I gave was
August about the 28. July 25, 1895: The U.V.R.Road Celebration at New Berlin, fire works in the eve. About 10,000
people were present. Jan. 24, 1897 Floyd B__ came over and staid untill Tuesday and Feb. 13 came and staid one night. 1898 Mar 23rd Mrs. Fred Veil died, was buried Mar. 26th. February 19, 1897 Went over to Lena Hunter's. Staid untill Wednesday, staid with Ugene Bemiss's
people. Sunday night, spent Saturday after noon at A. Bemiss. Monday at Henry
Chase, Sunday, Feb. 21, went to Ketchum to church and to the friends' church
in the school house. July 17, 1897 I went to Chenango Lake to cook for A. Brown. Came back July 21. July 17 road
on the steamer at the Lake. Gave A. W. the G. B. for F. E. Staid with Grace
Eckler all night. A. W. & F. Ellis were present [at] the concert the same night. August 1, 1897: engaged to FHE. October 3, 1897: Frank Ellis set up with me untill 1 o'clock. F.H.E. went to the Morris fair
Sept. 30, 1897. Oct. 4 went over to Jasons. F.H.E. walked back home with me the night we got
the Honey. Oct. 9, 1897-F.H. Ellis came up to night (Saturday). We had a bust up but we
are all right at present. He gave me my ring, I gave him chain but we changed
back again. March 5, 1898-My weight is 114 lbs., my age 22 yrs. March 7, 1898 Jason had his last dance Mar. 7, 1898. F. H. Ellis and I were present. Jason
and F.H.E. had a fuss. It ended in a fight. Mar. 3rd FHE and I have kept company
seven months the first of March 1898. Sept. 3, 1896 I went hop picking up to Geo. Nearings Wed., Sept. 2, the last eve we were there,
Lena and I went to Mr. Turner and Mr. J. Cummins took me home. Mr. Coy took Lena.
We had a fine time. Kissed untill 12 o'clock. Had a lovely time, intended to have
a dance, but diden't. Started away from Geo. at 9 o'clock that eve 26th of Aug.
Ella and Claud, Lena & Adrian Wellmann, Jim and I went to steal plums but got crab
apples instead. I earned $3.83 and 25 cents a box, gave ten cluyo. 1896 Claude Coy, J. Cummings came over to see Lena and I. Staid untill 25 min of three.
J. C. took me up to Lena's. ADDRESSES Mr. S. Olds, 2 Harrison Ave., Binghamton Mrs. S. Cooke, 333 West 7 St., Erie Mr. Francis Ball, 3 Hancock St., Binghamton Bertha Butts, Laurens Frank Simmons, Sidney Dr. F. C. Fletcher, Roxbury Wt. (?) Mable Gardner, Cor. Madole St. and Grove Ave. (no city given) Mable Gardner, 4 Hubbard Ave., Norwich Bertha Butts, N.E. Conservatory, Boston Chas. S. Allaben, M.D., Margarretsville, NY Lulu Peck, 37 Cherry St., Oneonta Mrs. F. Funnell, Jr., 25 Madole St., Norwich, NY Casson Sergeant, Morris NY Box 115 Prof. J. F. Riley, No. 4 Harrison Ave., Binghamton Melvin E. Olds, 51 Lydia St., Binghamton LETTERS Rec'd………………………………….Name………………………………………...Ans'd Jan. 11………………………………...Cora Simmons……………………………..Jan. 24 ………………………………………..Mable Gardner………………………….….Jan. 16 Jan. 20…………………………………Mable .."…"…………………………………..F. Ball…………………………………….Feb. 24 Feb. 6………………………………….Bertha Butts………………………………Feb. 10 .."… 6…………………………………Mrs. J. P. Butts……………………………Feb. 16 .."…9……………………………….….S. Olds…………………………………….."…16 .."..13…………………………………May Gardner………………………….…...Feb. 13 .."….17………………………………..B. Butts……………………………………."…19 .."….17………………………………..Mrs.Cooke………………………………….".17 Mar. 1………………………………….S. Olds…………………………………….Mar. 3 Mar. 1………………………………….Bertha Butts .."...13…………………………………Mrs. Jane Peck .."…13………………………………..Cora Simmons……………………………..Apr. 22 Apr. 7…………………………………..Bertha Butts……………………………...May 14 .."...7…………………………………..J. P. Butts Apr. 21…………………………………Mabel Gardner…………………………...Apr. 22 Sept. 18…………………………………B. Butts
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