Diary of Annie Adams Fields

Wednesday. Soft haze in the morning—nevertheless we expected Whittier and drove to Beverly for him. The sun came out and we took Lucy Larcom to drive when we found that Whittier did not arrive; indeed we had planned to do this—reached home late for dinner, walked to the rocks in the...

Thursday. Sepr 5th Clouded weather until noon. A quiet day altogether—read “La Tulipe Noire” of Alexandre Dumas.

Friday—a thick mist and profound stillness over all things—clear at noon when J. came down and we drove together all the afternoon.

Sat. the Danas and ourselves took our dinner and passed the day at Pigeon Cove. Met a gang of men at work on the new road to Andrews Point. Mr Babson wished to make us a present of a lot of land but I do not wish to accept—in the first place I prefer Manchester and in the second it is not...

Sunday. Clear and brilliant weather—a strong west wind blowing. Alas! our last week of this untrammeled life—but I mean to take the best part of it home with me, the health and pure-mindedness which God plants among the trees for us.

Monday. Wandered about the beach in the morning. It was still cloudy—mist driving in fold over fold; surely the sun appears to have forgotten to shine.

Tuesday. Dull again and warm.

Wednesday. Resplendent day. Wandered about nearly the whole morning. J. came down early when we drove through Beverly and afterward walked up to view some land back of Eagle-Head with a wondrous view for which we have made an offer. There is not much hope that we shall get this land and if we do...

Thursday we went there to pass the afternoon and evening. The moon was full. Just at sunset with the moon high in sky we wandered through the woods. Old Mr Dana & Mrs Dana accompanying us. It was wild and dim and impressive. We came out upon the lawn, the house-door stood wide, the sunset...

Friday. Our last full day here. I shall have to say, my last day, for J. did not get down in the early train. It was quite dark when he arrived. The South wind blew strong and the sea and fields were misty yet sunshiny today. I could not stay out long. The sun was hot but the wind was cold, yet...

Sunday the 15th of Sep. our first day at home. The sky and air are perfect. I sit overlooking our garden with the western sun pouring in—ah! there is no place much better.

Monday a perfect day—cook hunting—tired at night but we think we are exceedingly fortunate in the person who has offered and whom we have chosen. Busy putting the little house in order. I feel as if we had been at home forever. I see so many persons & life runs so swiftly.

Tuesday. We have been over the Grand Masonic Temple of St. George which is just completed. The day opened like mid summer but shut down in easterly mist.

Sunday Sep 23 [sic]. 1867. We have been at home one week last night. Both last Sunday morning and this it has been my privilege and pleasure to arrange the flowers in the church. Monday I engaged a cook. Tuesday began to set my house in order with my good-natured Irish Marcella to assist....

Wednesday morning. Perfect weather, mornings cool.

Thursday morning—weather grows rapidly more autumnal.

Saturday night. Let me see, what have I done today! I have a general sense of wishing to rest and to stop working with a feeling of gladness that tomorrow is Sunday, but I fancy the doing won’t count up for much.

Sunday, Monday, Tuesday. Judge Russell entertained them delightfully at the School Ship on Sunday while I arranged the flowers at church and stayed afterward wh. was more than I honestly meant to do, but I did not get through until late and the pastor came and caught me at the task. All he did...

Tuesday Oct 1st Mr Emerson came to lecture. Mr Longfellow & Mr Lowell dropped in to tea and went down with us. Subject eloquence. He said “if we could only get at a man’s actual experience from his writing or his talk! More frequently the page was filled with descriptions of the supposed...

Wednesday morning found my maids had slept not at all because they were 3 in a bed and busied until two clearing up after supper. However the poor stagy one from Montreal seems very good and bids fair to be quite a treasure when she learns. Went out for two or three hours, errand doing and fresh...

Thursday morning came Mr Godwin, Parke Godwin of New York, to breakfast. He was ill and homesick and I have persuaded him to come and stay with us. He returned shortly bringing his daughter who will come also.

Friday morning Dr Hayes came to breakfast and shortly after Mr & Miss Godwin came to lunch.

Saturday the rain pours. We look for Louisa Tuesday.

Sunday morning. Went to the church, found the gardener had already placed the flowers in the font, then turned and walked swiftly in search of servants for I discovered at seven o clock this morning that none of the housework was done and all things were left to turn out as they might, except...

Monday. Sheridan came to town. My two up-stairs servants longed to be on the wing so I thought I would quietly propose we should lunch down town as Mr & Miss Godwin must leave in the afternoon. We met Mr & Mrs Marcus Spring down town. She was the woman who went to give solace to John Brown in...