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Town of New Haven |
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Rhoda Green Searles |
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1821 - 1902 I was introduced to this homemaker, mother and ancestor through daily diaries that she kept from 1867 - 1890. Each day she noted the weather and told about her husband, John and her son, Herbert and their daily work. John and Herbert were usually noted for farm chores, doing the wood or going to the "Grist Mill" at the Hollow. There is some entries of them drawing milk to the cheese factory run by the Jerrett - Keefe - Spencer family. Rhoda was engaged in the caring for the family's needs. Getting the children off to school, preparing meals, washing and scrubbing clothes, pressing the clothes, or mending them. In August 1872, Rhoda tells of picking and washing saffron with her daughter Mary. Saffron was used as a dye for cloth or as a seasoning. Christmas 1873, was spent with the Barkers, George and Emily Searles and Mr. & Mrs. Squires, showing the importance of their extended family. Rhoda speaks often of traveling by sleigh and horse to Smithville, Brownville and Adams to visit family. Churning butter was a part of daily life, with no refrigeration, the cream was churned daily to butter and stored in the cool cellar. She told of selling 30-50 lbs. in the city of Oswego. Rhoda was very faithful and attended church weekly. People stopped at her home for a meal or to stay overnight as they traveled to Watertown, Rome or other places. It was similar to a modern day "Bed and Breakfast." 1884 diary entries Feb. 4 - "John failing and sufferin' she gives names of men taking care of him. Feb. 14 - John breathing his last and went to rest five minutes before 3 p.m. Feb. 17 - John buried today 12 o'clock from the house. Herbert bad, seems failing June 16 - my poor boy left us half past 7 p.m. Mary's baby is very bad June 17 - staid all day baby is very bad, very bad. June 18 - the little one sinking fast June 19 - I came back last night our pet past away this morning, half past four. my poor boy to his last visiting place. June 21 - We buried our pet 2 p.m. June 23 - I worked in the garden, one week tonight since my boy went November 1 - I went to Schuyler Barker I got him to go to the village to see and help about getting the monument. It is... Sources: Compiled from daily diaries that she kept from 1867 - 1890. They are in the possession of her great-great-granddaughters. Written by Nancy Searles, New Haven Historian
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Town of New Haven © 2004 Town of New Haven |