WELCOME TO SALLY’S DIARIES:

Before I get started describing this piece, I want to let you know that I have a podcast. I’ve taken some diaries from my private collection and shared them on our podcast called “Diary Discoveries.” We’ve got 67 episodes out now and you can find it on all the usual podcast venues. So if you enjoy the compelling and adventurous stories from vintage diaries then please check it out.

Plus, I was asked to do a TEDx talk in Vienna about this very thing, collecting diaries, and if you are interested in this sort of thing just put into the search engines “10,000 diaries” and you should come up with it. It was a privileged and blessing to be able to share what I’ve learned in the last 36 years. And with all that said……

Up for auction today is a long, 134 page handwritten diary that begins on October 27th, 1888 and ends on July 29th, 1890 and every day has a handwritten entry. Please note that the black and white photo you see of Pelham Street in Newport is one I just copied off the web. I wanted to share it as it gives you a good idea of what Newport was like in the 1880’s.

I don’t know the author’s name but I only did speed reading through it to gather quotes to share and pick up a few clues. One of the best things about the diary is that they live in or very near Newport Rhode Island and I don’t know in all the years I’ve been collecting that I’ve had a diary from there.

The year 1880 was a pivotal turning point in Newport history. It marked the city’s transformation from a sleepy coastal retreat into the undisputed social and summer capital of America's Gilded Age. It’s when all those incredible lavish houses were being built, including the Astor Mansion. I don’t know if she talks about that in her diary but there are tons of names mentioned, many of which I shared here. Again, she’s in or near Newport and I’m sure when reading the diary you’ll figure it out.

Here are some other clues to our author: her 5th wedding anniversary on February 19th, which makes them being married in 1884. She talks about “Al” all the time and says he is 30 on June 17th. (born 1859), might be her son or son in law. She also talks about Minnie as being a close relation. Then there’s an Aunt Abbie Manchester. She also mentions that “Al came this A.M. reports he has engaged an ancient mansion in Dudley.” I found there was and is a Dudley Ave. in Newport. Wish I knew what the “ancient mansion” was.

Finally and the thing that stood out the most with this diary was the religious aspect of it, and in a very interesting way. She’s always worried about her faith, her relationship with God and talks about some religious meetings, one in particular that she says she hopes to never witness again. Then there’s this entry….

“November 1st, 1889. Light rain and fog. Feel unlike exertion of any kind. This question of Spiritualism seems exciting the whole neighborhood and we talk of little else during my calls at other houses. Made donuts. Minnie came home a little after 1 to prepare for the Miss Mtg but Abbie did not go. Called on Emma, found her in a high state of excitement. Thinks herself clear, still is taking the medicine prescribed by a spirit Dr. Ah me! Thought I saw traces of her having let the imp out of the box again. May God help her!”

That and so much more. Here are a few other example entries….

1888

“October 28th, Drizzling. Att’d (attended) A.M. service. Good. Mrs. Jacob there. Said few words. Saddie and Nellie out with Laura. Out in evening. Terribly dark. Rained as we came home. Ran thro orchard to avoid a wetting. Exhausted me. My spirits are completely out of tune tonight. I can’t tell why….”

1889

“January 2nd, Wednesday. Att’d W.C.Y.N. at Dr. Green’s. Minnie driving me down. Charlotte called just before we started, hindering me so that I am sorry to say I got flustered. When shall I attain the holy serenity of mind I covet. Several Y’s were present at the mtg. (meeting). Good! A and I att’d P.M. mtg. Very dark night. Good service. Said a few words. I wish I could talk like Cordie!”

“February 20th, Sunday. Cloudy. At A.M. service I. B. U. (?) preached o most wonderful sermon from John 17-17. After which he had a Holy Ghost  Baptismal service which seemed almost supernatural in solemnity. I went forward with the other candidates desiring to make up the lack in my experience. Received a wonderful blessing. He asked for my experience and on hearing it said he believed I was right and did receive the blessed Baptism last June. Dr. and Mrs. Greene, Jacob Almy and wife, Win and Laura, Alfred and many there experienced sanctification at the altar. I never saw such a wonderful service, Manifestation of the Spirit before. It was heavenly. Sermon in evening from 2nd Peter 3:14. Alfred Greene was out and deeply convicted but would not yield.”

“February 25th, Sunny in A.M. I don’t like this choring. Shall be selfishly glad when Al is well again. (He has the mumps and is quarantined). Little Ruth Patterson died of Hydrophlia (?) yesterday having been bitten by Mary Sisson’s dog, last October. Have sewed a little today. Lele, Lon, Min and Mr. Almy in. Mother B. spent evening here. Al and I have been sleeping in our bed on lounge for the past two nights. Tiresome!”

“February 28th, Washed. Mother B. went out to Mtg. With us. Quite good service, said a few words. Sermon from Matt. 1 -29. Quite a while after mtg. one Capt. Geo. Faulkner knelt for Mr. Jacobs and other to pray for him. He soon became so terrible convicted that his groans and sobs were heart rendering to hear. God have mercy on me, seemed the wonder of his cry. We reached home about 11 and when we left he was not relieved. I hope never to witness another such scene.”

“March 31st, Cloudy in A.M. Snowed fast when we came home from A.M. service which took the form of a temperance meeting. Was strengthened to make a little prayer. Did not go out in evening. A. Green and Fred Field came from Newport intoxicated. Fred was thrown out of a Union Mtg. house and Alfred who was running his horse furiously, was thrown out at Uncle Wm’s gate and had a narrow escape from instant death. O! the horrors o men!!!”

“April 24th, Cold, fair and windy. Commenced cleaning S. E. room. Al planting potatoes at Mr. Patterson’s, did not come to dinner till nearly two o’clock. Very weary. Had a bit of a nap while awaiting him. Lil called preventing my going to Emma’s as I promised. Sara called after tea. Att’d mtg. Very good. Made a bit of a prayer. Al was to have led but Mr. Jacobs coming excused him. Cordie is getting to be a wonderful Christian.”

“May 26th & 27th, Heavy rain. Feel blue and sleepy. Am ashamed not to be happy and joyous when I remember the high profession I have made, Dear Lord, I am trusting thee to keep me in the right path. Mother, Min, and Sara and Lon called….I am forbidden to appear at the wash house and have no inclination to my present state of feeling. Min washed dishes in A.M. as she did all day yesterday. Mrs. Elliott called and was greatly cheered and heartily ashamed of my blues on hearing her speak so trust fully of her far greater trials. May I prove the truth of the lines, They who trust Him wholly, Find Him wholly true.”

“June 15th, Hot. Al arose early and went to Prov. By way of Wickford in order to be in Prov. In time for opening of court as he was grand juror. But owing to a mistake he was excused and came home by boat feeling quite disheartened. Lele and Sara call. Lil in P.M. Finished sitting room all but windows. O, so weary.”

“July 30th, Weather ditto to yesterday. Ironed what few clothes we dried yesterday and dried the rest. Al came this A.M. reports he has engaged an ancient mansion in Dudley. Popovers for tea and luck. Weary.”

“August 30th & 31st, Fair and hot. Made pies. Joseph Macomber called for me to sign a remonstrance against liquor selling in N. (I’m assuming she means Newport). Minnie came looking better than I expected tho she had been seasick. Mother and Lillie out in P.M. so we had quite a family reunion….Sadie left. Minnie going to ferry with them for the ride. Quite a busy time. Minnie detailed her experience in stirring up the “Hawks nest.” The poor girl must have had a hard, hard time, but owing to her new experience she has stood it bravely.”

“September 19th, Heavy rain in A.M. Cleared about ten, hung out clothes and managed to get them dry tho we had several showers in P.M. Min over to see Al, Mother B. Min, Al and I went up to Union Mtg. Good service; they are hoping for a revival. The Lord graciously enabled Min and I to say a few words of testimony and exhortation.”

“October 5th, Lovely. Min has neuralgia. Josie Sherman’s grave dug this A.M. Wasted about an hour gossiping at their house and then rushed around to get my stove blacked and floor washed before dinner. Mother sent us up some baked ______? with dressing. After dinner made feather cake, custard and cleaned lamps. Emma came before I had changed my dress. After Mrs. Almy, Min, Morton, Lizzie and her girls and Mother B. came in to await procession. Services at grave very good. He was a nice looking old man of 97 years. Mrs. Almy finished her call after funeral, amusing us with reminiscences of the Sherman family.”

“October 22nd,……Emma S. called in A.M. to consult me about her spiritual temptations. Very tired…….”

“November 1st, Light rain and fog. Feel unlike exertion of any kind. This question of Spiritualism seems exciting the whole neighborhood and we talk of little else during my calls at other houses. Made donuts. Minnie came home a little after 1 to prepare for the Miss Mtg but Abbie did not go. Called on Emma, found her in a high state of excitement. Thinks herself clear, still is taking the medicine prescribed by a spirit Dr. Ah me! Thought I saw traces of her having let the imp out of the box again. May God help her!”

“December 31st, Fair. Ironed all A.M. Mother B. and I went down to Carrie DeBlois. W. C. T. U. after dinner and prayer Mtg. Mrs. Green rode home with us. All arrangements made for Holiness Mtgs. Jan. 22-23. May the dear Lord bless them. Arriving home after dark found Mary and Annie here. Felt rather discouraged on seeing them but asking the Lord’s help. I got along beautifully. Min went up to Y. Mtg. with them. Mr. Morton very sarcastic about the Union Mtgs.”

1890

“January 26th, Fair and mild. David Douglas had a very powerful sermon on the unpardonable sin. An affecting prayer service after the sermon. Good house in evening to hear a sermon on “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation.” Lillie Sis. Seemed quite effected when I spoke to her about her soul. May the dear Lord seal conviction upon her. I have quite a cough.”

“February 19th, …..The sixth anniversary of our wedding day. As I look back I feel very thankful to my Heavenly Father for all the way in which He has led us. Al disappointed in not being able to go to Mtg…..”

The diary goes on for several more months but it got to be too much for me to read so I stopped. But this should give you a good idea of the contents. Here are some of the many names she mentions…...

Reed, Deblin, Southwick, Phebe Aydelott, Fallman, Dennis, Captain Franklin, Elliott, Albert Walker, Field, Percival, R. Kelso Carter, Norma Heath, Mary Blythe, Mary Sherman, Burdick, Josie Sherman, Eddie Anthony, Elijah, Ella Harrington, Miss Aldrich (teacher), Amos Kenworthy, Sisson, Fowler, Walker, Mr. Whipple’s school, Mrs. Phinney’s and Miss Stutervant’s School, Abbie Macomber, Morton and so many more.

The diary is in a tablet form, has colorful pages, is in good shape and measures about 5 1/2” x 8 1/4”.