March 1993

Diary of

Josephine Matilda deZeng

Geneva, New York

About Josephine Matilda deZeng

November 1842

Friday, 4th

Nothing has occurred today out of the usual course. I have been sewing diligently all day mending my old frock. We have had no calls, except Aunt Sarah this afternoon stopped in for a little while, & Uncle Edward after tea was in for a few minutes. I came to bed early with a pitcher of Catnip tea by way of opiate.

Saturday, 5th

I have been sewing nearly all day. We have had no calls, but Mama & Kit took the children up to the farm, and were gone nearly all the afternoon. Ed Dox came in to tea, but went away immediately after to a Political Meeting.

Henry & "Bill" each shot an owl this afternoon —I have satisfied myself that the report is true about Miss Kate Yates & Mr. Frank Dwight. She will make a charming wife for him—but it has made me feel bad all day. I have been thinking of H.—she is his cousin. His relations are all marrying off. Durand in his fortune telling says one of fortune is dying to offer himself, but it is afraid—I must think it is H. I hope I will see him ere long & dream of him tonight.

Sunday, 6th

I have had the blues today, without a doubt. I do not know how to account for it, but I feel all the time as if a good cry would make me feel better & I have indulged a little today. I felt better after I had opened my Bible,—to the eleventh chapter of Ecclesiastes. Truly I know not what is & what is not for my good. Oh! Almighty Father, may all things be ordered for thy glory & my everlasting good.

I have only been to church once today, this morning. Mr. Irving read the prayers & the Bishop preached & administered the Communion. After Church Mag DeLancey followed me & told me "Dill" had come—& sure enough there she was behind me.

Monday, 7th

I called with Evie this morning at Miss Culbertson's for Kit, & we went to Hughes, & Carie chose herself a dress.

This afternoon Rachel came over to sit a little while with me. She says that as far as John is concerned in the matter between himself & Sarah S. it will be a match, that he is dead in love, and we both came to the conclusion that S. was as much so as he. Uncle Eddie & Ed Dox came in and sat a while, but I left them to go & see Sarah. She had just got home from a ride with Rachel, which R. left here to take. Rachel came in while I was there to take tea. Just as I was coming out I met Mag DeL. & Janet Clarke, they had both been to see me. Ed Dox called again in the evening to see what time it was, on his way to the Proutys.

Tuesday 8th

It has rained so violently all day that I have not been able to see Miss Munro, as I intended most fully to do. Yesterday kept away by company & today by rain. I hope it will be pleasant tomorrow.

I have sewed a little, and read a little. There having been no visitors in today I have lolled around "ab-libitum. " Ed Dox dropped in a minute or two before tea—& that is the amount of today's proceedings —

Wednesday 9th

This has been another stormy day, rain all the morning, & now all the afternoon. I sewed all day & every thing was very quiet. No visitors or calls until about 5 o'clock, when Walter Carey called, he is studying medicine in Philadelphia, and is now on his way there. I had a most pleasant dream last night & wish I may have another as pleasant tonight— I thought I was sitting in the Bleeckers' parlor, though it did not seem exactly like their house, & Mrs. B. & all her sons & daughters were there except Henry. I was siting on a line with the door on a settee beside B.—& H. came in & took a seat by me, & we were all there as a matter of course. Presently I & the young ladies got up & went to a different part of the house & after ranging round a little went up stairs & through a little dark passage to a bed room with two beds in, here the ladies changed & seemed Aunt Lawrence & cousin Laura, but still I seemed in the Bleeckers' house. I was too all of a sudden in my night clothes sitting on the floor at the side of one of the beds putting on my shoes & stockings in a hurry too for fear H. would come in. There seemed several pairs, & I took up one pair & said this is not mine, & looked for the name, & there in large letters was written "Small Lawrence, " & I tossed it to Aunt. L saying, "that belongs to you. "

Typescript of the diary provided by the Geneva Historical Society.

Index to the Diary of Josephine Matilda deZeng

About Josephine Matilda deZeng

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