Diary

Author / Creator

Van Liew, Eliza A., (Eliza Ann Wood), 1811-1893, creator

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Physical

Summary

Diary begins January 1, 1853. Eliza has 7 children at the start of the diary. She writes about the weather, visits from friends and neighbors, attending religious services and meetings, attending f...

Diary begins January 1, 1853. Eliza has 7 children at the start of the diary. She writes about the weather, visits from friends and neighbors, attending religious services and meetings, attending funerals, going to Ovid and Seneca Lake, quilting, doing household chores (sewing, making soap, washing, cooking), taking care of her children (some are often sick), having bad headaches, her husband often travelling for business (sailing/rafting?), etc. Eliza often writes about death and having a short life; she seems rather depressed and overworked. She comments on son Evander's use of profanity, her children's refusal to acknowledge God and Jesus and live godly lives, wanting her children to make wise decisions and use their time appropriately, and wishes that they would be less selfish. Eliza writes about Emily's 19th birthday on September 2. On September 17th she writes that her husband told her to leave his bed and house or "never converse with him more on any subject whatsoever for he would no longer live with me as his wife". She later writes that "there at present is such a barrier between us that both are unhappy & the journey of life together is not pleasant". Eliza gave birth to daughter Eva on September 26; her husband was absent. She writes about Evander's 21st birthday on October 7, Sarah's on December 1 and Mina's on the 26th. Eliza's son Eli becomes sick and dies on January 21, 1854. After the death of her son, one of the family's hired hands becomes ill and Eliza spends her time nursing him. Her husband and most of the family moved to a different house near "the other lake" and Eliza writes about missing her children. Diary ends March 18, 1854.

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