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Sunday, January 21, 1872 J gone to Dr for med. H staid till he got home. C and Lizzie washed. Let James have $40. J = James (son-in-law) H = Henry (son) C = Charlotte (daughter) 
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Saturday, January 20, 1872 James thought of butchering the pigs but gave it up. Henry came down. Harmony and Winn come. Helen O called. Father had a dreadful bad turn about 3. Mr. Warfield brought a letter with the drafts in it. C and H sat up part and James and Libbie the rest. He has taken ?  Friday, January 19, 1872 This morning Father made a little water before the doctor come. Henry took care of him last night. Lucela called. He is pretty bad. He made more water towards night. I am very nervous(?)  Thursday, January 18, 1872 Cold night last night. Squally. James went and got C to help wash. Hiram and Ophelia called. C and Libbie washed a large wash. Here is an AI explanation of washing clothes around 1872. Other input from you readers is encouraged. The Process Preparation (Sunday/Monday Eve): Sort clothes by fabric and soil level; soak white linens overnight in water with soda or soap. Soaking & Heating: Haul water from a well or stream and heat it on the stove; drain the soaking water. Washing (Monday): Wash fine items first in hot, soapy water, scrubbing on a washboard. Apply extra soap to heavily soiled spots and boil them in the boiler, agitating with a stick. Wring out clothes by hand. Rinsing & Bluing: Rinse in clean water, then dip in a bluing bath (indigo or Prussian blue/starch mix) to counteract yellowing. Starching: Dip items needing stiffness into a starch solution. Drying: Hang clothes on lines; whites in the sun, colors in the shade, taking them down before dark. Ironing (Tuesday): Iron damp clothes with heavy, flat irons heated on the stove, using multiple irons as they cooled. Key Tools & Materials Tubs, Pots, & Buckets: For soaking, boiling, rinsing, and carrying water. Soap: Often homemade from animal fat and lye. Washboards: Corrugated metal or glass boards for scrubbing. Laundry Sticks/Paddles: For agitating clothes in the boiler. Bluing Agent: To keep whites bright. Starch: For crispness. Flat Irons (Sad Irons): Heavy irons heated on a stove. Labor & Context Laundry was a major, full-day event, often postponing cooking. Linens worn next to the skin (shifts/chemises) absorbed sweat and were washed frequently, keeping outer clothes cleaner longer. Wealthier families might hire help, but for most, it was a demanding, time-consuming domestic duty.  James went to W. Got some gin and brandy for him and the money on the coupons$256 and $14 from Uncle Julius. He having settled with Dr. C, paying him $20 and taking a receipt. Henry staid until about 2. James and Libbie take care of him tonight. I am so nervous, can’t sleep. Wrote to Sule.  Tuesday, January 16, 1872 He rather fails. Henry Tull come to see him to get some boards up in the pines. Mr. David Bates called to see him. Henry come to watch. He had a dreadful turn in the night.  Monday, January 15, 1872 I don’t feel very well. Pain in side. Didn’t sleep much. Was called by Father. Seeming so bad about his heart. James didn’t go to Goddard place. George come to watch. He had real bad time in the night. G called up James. G went home.  Sunday, January 14, 1872 George came over. Lissa was real sick after she got home. James B called. Father is very weak. Wm and Emma went home. Henry come to watch.  Saturday, January 13, 1872 George, Lissa and baby come and spent the day. They went home just before night. Charlotte come and Rose. They went home and Wm and Emma come. J takes care tonight. Dr. come twice. *Lissa is Melissa, the daughter of Mary and Thomas, married to George Nye. *Charlotte is the oldest daughter of Mary and Thomas, widow of Emerson Oatley who died in 1867. Rose is the daughter of Charlotte and Emerson, born in 1865. *Emma is another daughter of Mary and Thomas, married to William Nye.  Friday, January 12, 1872 Have to give him morphine all of the time, there being a pain in the region of the heart. Burdett called to see him. Henry took care of him.  |
AuthorWe have now transcribed the diaries of Mary (Knox) Herrick from 1865 and 1866, the two earliest of hers that we have. The next diary of Mary that we have is from 1872 and we will be transcribing and posting from that diary every day this year. Archives
October 2026
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