Feb 1st 1856
We have had stormy sundies [sic] all thru Jan. I have not been to church for 3 Sabbaths. Two I had a bad cold but not sick in bed and the 3d Thermom too near zero. Frid. I put a shawl over my hd and made down to Mrs. Pierce's saw Sarah, Lucy, Feroline, Abby, Elizabeth & Mr. Durfee
-- very cold weather. Dr. has good deal to do. Sund. night called out to visit Mrs. George Penniman -- a daughter born. Monday he was very busy. I sometimes fear too much so for he coughs hard. Still I think he prefers keeping out till ten eves -- else he would start early & get through -- sometimes. Watty is here now busy writing & collecting for his father. I continue to employ myself all the time, reading, writing to 5 different settlements. Edward in Turkey, C. in California, Mary Prov., L. Bridgewater, Susan in Phil. Then I have a great deal of sewing -- for Dr. Watty & self -- & household --
Feb 6th 1856
My birthday -- 58 years & Dr. 61 years. I rose early, swept the parlors -- with some assistance from Julia -- put the rooms in order above. Sat down to sewing -- then reading -- while Dr. eats his dinner, quite a trick I have to divert his worshipful. Then if he feels like it he sleeps and hour or two -- if not he is off & about his work -- Fine sleighing -- hundreds go by daily. Watty's cold is better and he has gone to the city today. -- to collect. I wrote to Charly to go the 5th Feb. So did Watty. Mary Cushing in Phil. She returned the 12th on Tues. G.A. came on to N. York with her. She arr. safely thou the traveling is beyond horrible for a month nothing but disasters -- & suffering spending days & nights in cars.
Mond. 11th
Mr. Blake sent us his tickets. Watty & I went to the opera. Lucretia. Legrange sang &c. It rained fast and we came out in an open sleigh. Mr. Hedge sent his ans. Yes.
Feb. 19th
I rec'd. a letter from Mary and a note from Ed & Ellen. Edward was at Soucham Kaleh -- very well and hard at work. I must write soon. The accounts from all my children are very good & refreshing. We have great cause to be thankful for so many mercies.
Feb 22
Guns & bells -- quite a holy day -- Washington
Sund. 24th
Watty & I went to church all day. Dr. C. Francis prch. in the eve. Wrote to Edward & Ellen.
Monday
Watty took my letter to the P.O. Boston. E. Atkinson put in a few lines. At half past 3 Watty started on Prov. -- I miss him sadly. I spend all my evenings alone, with books & work, except accidental company
Tues.
I sent for Mrs. Mellen, Mrs. Tombs, Mr. Davis' family & Miss R. Cushing to spend the eve.
Wednes.
I called on Mrs. Chandler, sent for the Crafts -- Edmond -- Candler to spend the eve.
Thurs.
I cleaned parlors - with J. Went to walk in aft. called on the Olivers -- Mrs P. had gone into the city -- an ox came up & spent Wed. night here -paid 1$ - & went to market the next day with the owner.
Sarah, Lucy, Feroline, Abby, and Elizabeth are all daughters of the late Rev. John Pierce. (Elizabeth is from his first marriage; the others are all from his second marriage.) Mr. Durfee is Rev. Calvin Durfee, married to Sarah.
Anna Penniman was the wife of George Penniman whose sister Caroline (Penniman) Heath is mentioned in the diary. Their newborn baby died a few weeks later, on February 25th.
French opera singer Anna de la Grange appeared in Donizettis' Lucrezia Borgia at the Boston Theatre.
Frederic Hedge (1805-1890) accepted the position of minister at First Parish, succeeding Frederick Knapp. He would remain in the position until 1872. He was married to John and Lucy Pierce's daughter Lucy.
Soucham Kaleh, or Sukhum Kale, was a port on the eastern shore of the Black Sea that was occupied at the time by the Ottoman commander Omar Pasha, with whom Edward was serving. It is now Sokhumi, the capital of the disputed region of Abkhazia within the country of Georgia.
Sarah (Holden) Mellen (1803-1899) lived on Harrison Place, a dead end street that is now the eastern end of Kent Street. Mrs. Tombs could be Susan Tombs of Newton. The Davis family is presumably the family of Mary's late friend Bethan Davis.
Eliza J. (Schlatter) Chandler (1809-1892), photographed in Brookline in 1887.
It's not clear whose ox this was but it was presumably kept overnight at the Wilds before being taken to the Brighton cattle markets. Washington Street led straight into Brighton Center.
