Wed. Fine
Fred went at 3-20 in P.M. Went down town in P.M. with Marion. Fred came back about 9 in Eve. Missed connections. Waited in Charlstown depot.
Transcription of a 1915 - 1919 diary written by my husband's grandmother Ada May (Grimshaw) Illingworth who lived in Springfield, Vermont.
1/24/12
January 22, 1918
Tues. Fine
Washed a little in A.M. Fred came over to dinner. Ma & Pa came over. Went down town in P.M. All in. May got on honor roll.
Washed a little in A.M. Fred came over to dinner. Ma & Pa came over. Went down town in P.M. All in. May got on honor roll.
January 21, 1918
Mon. Cold & Lovely
Cleaned up stairs. Roof leaked in Marrons roof [?] and in kitchen. E. chopped ice from roof at noon & Eve. Pa & Fred came over. Ma went out. Went home.
Cleaned up stairs. Roof leaked in Marrons roof [?] and in kitchen. E. chopped ice from roof at noon & Eve. Pa & Fred came over. Ma went out. Went home.
1/22/12
January 20, 1918
Sun. Cold
May wore new shoes. Went to S.S. Fred over to breakfast & dinner & supper. E. & he acted like nuts all day. MAde fudge. A & P burned in Eve. Saw search lights.
May wore new shoes. Went to S.S. Fred over to breakfast & dinner & supper. E. & he acted like nuts all day. MAde fudge. A & P burned in Eve. Saw search lights.
January 19, 1918
Sat. Lovely Warmer
Fred came over to breakfast & dinner & supper. Fixed parlor lights. Ma & I went down town in Eve & P.M. May went to Movies in P.M. Colder in Eve.
Fred came over to breakfast & dinner & supper. Fixed parlor lights. Ma & I went down town in Eve & P.M. May went to Movies in P.M. Colder in Eve.
January 18, 1918
Fri. Cold
Shops closed for 5 days. School one session indefinitely. Glad. May is tickled. worked hard all day. Fred came on midnight. Ma & Pa came.
Shops closed for 5 days. School one session indefinitely. Glad. May is tickled. worked hard all day. Fred came on midnight. Ma & Pa came.
January 17, 1918
Thurs. Lovely
Stop industries for 5 days also make Monday holiday for 10 weeks on acct. of coal shortage. Ironed in eve. Ma & Pa came. Went home in Eve. May is terribly tired.
Stop industries for 5 days also make Monday holiday for 10 weeks on acct. of coal shortage. Ironed in eve. Ma & Pa came. Went home in Eve. May is terribly tired.
1/15/12
January 16, 1918
Wed. Beautiful but cold
Ma came over in A.M. May went to school as usual. Went to committee meeting at Mrs. LaFountaine's in P.M. Ma & I went down town in Eve. Bought shoes & tablecloth.
Ma came over in A.M. May went to school as usual. Went to committee meeting at Mrs. LaFountaine's in P.M. Ma & I went down town in Eve. Bought shoes & tablecloth.
January 15, 1918
Tues. Terrible snow storm
School did not keep in P.M. Glad. snowed about 1 1/2 ft. Fixed pillow slips in P.M. Pa came over. Marion tended the boil all P.M.
School did not keep in P.M. Glad. snowed about 1 1/2 ft. Fixed pillow slips in P.M. Pa came over. Marion tended the boil all P.M.
January 14, 1918
Mon. Cold
Marion got here at 3-30 this A.M. Looks bad. Been sick. School began. May was glad to go. Ma & I went down town in P.M. Pa came over in Eve. Marion has a boil.
Marion got here at 3-30 this A.M. Looks bad. Been sick. School began. May was glad to go. Ma & I went down town in P.M. Pa came over in Eve. Marion has a boil.
1/12/12
January 13, 1918
Sun. Colder
May wore new brown & plaid dress. Feels pretty fine. Looks good. Went down town for Grandpa [sic] paper. Pa & Ma came over. went home in P.M. Miss R. is coming in at midnight. Finished sweater for Red Cross.
May wore new brown & plaid dress. Feels pretty fine. Looks good. Went down town for Grandpa [sic] paper. Pa & Ma came over. went home in P.M. Miss R. is coming in at midnight. Finished sweater for Red Cross.
January 12, 1918
Sat. Snow in A.M. Thawing in P.M.
May took music lesson in P.M. Pa came over in P.M. & smoked. May went over to Helen's & played. Tired. Worked hard all day. Baths tonight.
May took music lesson in P.M. Pa came over in P.M. & smoked. May went over to Helen's & played. Tired. Worked hard all day. Baths tonight.
January 11, 1918
Fri. Warm & Nice
Coal came from Charlestown at noon. Pa came over. Ma . May & I went to A&P & got sugar in A.M. Ma & I went to Dodges Concert in Eve. Good.
Coal came from Charlestown at noon. Pa came over. Ma . May & I went to A&P & got sugar in A.M. Ma & I went to Dodges Concert in Eve. Good.
January 10, 1918
Thurs. Warmer
May played out in P.M. Mother is feeling fine. May & I went to movies in Eve. Bum. PA came over in P.M. & A.M.
May played out in P.M. Mother is feeling fine. May & I went to movies in Eve. Bum. PA came over in P.M. & A.M.
January 9, 1918
Wed. Warmer
May played out doors nearly all day. Mother & I went down town in P.M. Got sugar at Handy & Browns. went home after wards. May very tired.
May played out doors nearly all day. Mother & I went down town in P.M. Got sugar at Handy & Browns. went home after wards. May very tired.
1/8/12
January 8, 1918
Tues. Snow Warmer
Went home in A.M. Ironed in A.M. May. Mother & I went down town in P.M. Paid Wilcomb $2.50 for umbrella. E. got seats for White concert. $26.17
Note: I can't imagine what this concert could have been. That seems like a huge sum of money for those days!
Went home in A.M. Ironed in A.M. May. Mother & I went down town in P.M. Paid Wilcomb $2.50 for umbrella. E. got seats for White concert. $26.17
Note: I can't imagine what this concert could have been. That seems like a huge sum of money for those days!
January 7, 1918
Mon. Snow & Rain & hail
Washed a little in A.M. Went home in A.M. with May. Sewed on May's brown dress in P.M. & Eve. Pa came over in P.M. & Eve. Tired.
Washed a little in A.M. Went home in A.M. with May. Sewed on May's brown dress in P.M. & Eve. Pa came over in P.M. & Eve. Tired.
1/5/12
January 6, 1918
Sun. Cold
May & I went home in A.M. & knit. Mother & I went for a walk in P.M. It was lovely. Pa came over in Eve. E. went down town in Eve.
May & I went home in A.M. & knit. Mother & I went for a walk in P.M. It was lovely. Pa came over in Eve. E. went down town in Eve.
January 5, 1918
Sat. Cold & Windy
Went home in A.M. Pa came over in P.M. & Eve. E. came home cross. Wish I could enlist. You bet I would go. May & I went down town in Eve for bread.
Went home in A.M. Pa came over in P.M. & Eve. E. came home cross. Wish I could enlist. You bet I would go. May & I went down town in Eve for bread.
1/4/12
January 4, 1918
Fri Cold & windy
Laundry has not come yet. May & I went home in A.M. Down town in P.M. Pa came over in Eve. 200 lbs. coal came. Went down town in Eve. Fixed Ma[?]
Russell Stiles went to Brattleboro Insane Asylum.
Laundry has not come yet. May & I went home in A.M. Down town in P.M. Pa came over in Eve. 200 lbs. coal came. Went down town in Eve. Fixed Ma[?]
Russell Stiles went to Brattleboro Insane Asylum.
1/2/12
January 3, 1918
Thurs. 36 below zero
Expect coal from Charlestown. Went home in A.M. May went to movies in P.M. Went home & sewed. Pa came over in Eve. Cold water stuck. Thawed it out.
Expect coal from Charlestown. Went home in A.M. May went to movies in P.M. Went home & sewed. Pa came over in Eve. Cold water stuck. Thawed it out.
January 2, 1918
Wed. 40 degrees below zero
Went home in A.M. with May. May & I went down town in P.M. and put her money in bank. Went home in P.M. Pa came over in eve. All in.
Went home in A.M. with May. May & I went down town in P.M. and put her money in bank. Went home in P.M. Pa came over in eve. All in.
January 1, 1918
Tues. Not as cold but cold
We can have coal. Good. Only 200lbs. Satisfied. More later. May went up to Shirley's. Went home in P.M. and sewed & knit. E. did not work in P.M.
We can have coal. Good. Only 200lbs. Satisfied. More later. May went up to Shirley's. Went home in P.M. and sewed & knit. E. did not work in P.M.
December 31, 1917
Mon.
Paid Pa $40. Cold again. 35 below zero. Glad May doesn't go to school. Ma May & I went down town in P.M. Ma both a silver teapot at Stiles.
Paid Pa $40. Cold again. 35 below zero. Glad May doesn't go to school. Ma May & I went down town in P.M. Ma both a silver teapot at Stiles.
December 30, 1917
Sun. coldest A.M. we have had in yrs. 35 below zero. We have kept warm. May & I went home in P.M. Pa came over. Played India.
December 29, 1917
Sat. cold as deuce
We hugged stove all day. Hot water stuck. MA came over. Thawed it out. Wound it with paper in P.M. Cleaned up stairs.
We hugged stove all day. Hot water stuck. MA came over. Thawed it out. Wound it with paper in P.M. Cleaned up stairs.
December 28, 1917
Cold Terrible
Did not get up until 10. May & I slept fine. May went down town. Terrible cold. Our coal is getting low. Government takes railroads.
Did not get up until 10. May & I slept fine. May went down town. Terrible cold. Our coal is getting low. Government takes railroads.
December 27, 1917
Thurs. Cold
Ironed in a.M. Went home. Ma & Pa came over.Mended in P.M. Helen & Ruth came over. May went to Helen's.
Ironed in a.M. Went home. Ma & Pa came over.Mended in P.M. Helen & Ruth came over. May went to Helen's.
December 26, 1917
Wed. Lovely Cold
Fred & Marion went to Orange at noon. All in. Didn't we all get lots of presents. Cora & Bill & June are here. Saw Bill & June. MA & I went down town. May stayed with Grandpa.
Fred & Marion went to Orange at noon. All in. Didn't we all get lots of presents. Cora & Bill & June are here. Saw Bill & June. MA & I went down town. May stayed with Grandpa.
December 25, 1917
Thurs. Cloudy Merry Xmas
Sent the last of the Xmas packages yesterday. Thank goodness. Had a grand time over home Turkey dinner. May had tree. she was happy. Marion stayed. Got dishes. Silk dress. May got wrist watch. Ma got two chairs.
Sent the last of the Xmas packages yesterday. Thank goodness. Had a grand time over home Turkey dinner. May had tree. she was happy. Marion stayed. Got dishes. Silk dress. May got wrist watch. Ma got two chairs.
December 24, 1917
Cold Mon. ###
Marion & I went to Xmas concert in A.M. yesterday. Had it today to save fuel. May spoke first yesterday. Fred & Ma & Pa came over. Knit.
Marion & I went to Xmas concert in A.M. yesterday. Had it today to save fuel. May spoke first yesterday. Fred & Ma & Pa came over. Knit.
December 23, 1917
Sun. Looks like rain.
Fred came home Ma & I went down town yesterday. in P.M. Got 2 lbs. of sugar at Stearrns & Handys. Marion got Ma some. Shopped in Eve yesterday. Tired.
Note: Looks like Ada messed up on these days and has gone back and written "yesterday"
Fred came home Ma & I went down town yesterday. in P.M. Got 2 lbs. of sugar at Stearrns & Handys. Marion got Ma some. Shopped in Eve yesterday. Tired.
Note: Looks like Ada messed up on these days and has gone back and written "yesterday"
December 22, 1917
Cold Sat.
May spoke at school yesterday. Went to rehearsal at church after school yesterday. Mother & I went down town in P.M. yesterday. Class to us.
May spoke at school yesterday. Went to rehearsal at church after school yesterday. Mother & I went down town in P.M. yesterday. Class to us.
December 21, 1917
Cold Friday
Crocheted on Mother's jacket. Last day of school. Pa came in. Ma came over. Ma & I went down town in P.M. Marion & I went down town in Eve.
Crocheted on Mother's jacket. Last day of school. Pa came in. Ma came over. Ma & I went down town in P.M. Marion & I went down town in Eve.
1/1/12
December 20, 1917
Thurs. Cold
Seems grand to have Mother home. She & I went down town in P.M. Went in Stiles. Mother bought berry spoon for Marion. Met May.
Seems grand to have Mother home. She & I went down town in P.M. Went in Stiles. Mother bought berry spoon for Marion. Met May.
December 19, 1917
Wed. Cold
Ironed in A.M. Went down town in P.M. Met May after school. Mother came at 9 in Eve. Oyster stew for her.
Ironed in A.M. Went down town in P.M. Met May after school. Mother came at 9 in Eve. Oyster stew for her.
December 18, 1917
Tues. Cold
Lester Stiles closed up. Went home and swept house. Made pie. Went down town in P.M. Went to meet Ma in eve. Did not come.
Lester Stiles closed up. Went home and swept house. Made pie. Went down town in P.M. Went to meet Ma in eve. Did not come.
December 17, 1917
Mon. Lovely
Marion is better. May brought home an excellent report card. Glad. She & Grandpa went down town. Mr. Hoisington buried. Got letter from Ma.
Marion is better. May brought home an excellent report card. Glad. She & Grandpa went down town. Mr. Hoisington buried. Got letter from Ma.
December 16, 1917
Sun. Lovely
Marion has terrible cold. Doane came up in Eve. Pa came over in P.M. took Sam's breakfast over to him. Worked all day. Did not change dress.
Note: Doane is a Doctor. While Ada's mother is away on an extended visit, Ada is helping out with everything at that house too, including laundry and housework for Pa and taking over breakfast for her mother's brother, Sam.
I guess not changing her dress is an indication of how busy she is - since she apparently changed after her work was done on most days.
Marion has terrible cold. Doane came up in Eve. Pa came over in P.M. took Sam's breakfast over to him. Worked all day. Did not change dress.
Note: Doane is a Doctor. While Ada's mother is away on an extended visit, Ada is helping out with everything at that house too, including laundry and housework for Pa and taking over breakfast for her mother's brother, Sam.
I guess not changing her dress is an indication of how busy she is - since she apparently changed after her work was done on most days.
December 15, 1917
Sat. Lovely & Cold
Marion, May & I went to Claremont at 11:40 home at 7. Had a good time. Had tow Westerns. They were good. E. had a nice hot oyster stew waiting for us.
Marion, May & I went to Claremont at 11:40 home at 7. Had a good time. Had tow Westerns. They were good. E. had a nice hot oyster stew waiting for us.
December 14, 1917
Fri. Cold & Windy
Snow is terrible deep. May wore leggings to school. Ironed in A.M. Went home. Got letter from Ma. Sewed and knit. Pa came in. Early to bed.
Snow is terrible deep. May wore leggings to school. Ironed in A.M. Went home. Got letter from Ma. Sewed and knit. Pa came in. Early to bed.
December 13, 1917
Thurs. Cold Snow in Eve
May & I went to "Runaways." Very good. Cold there. Went home. Pa came over. Sewed in P.M. Snow deep when we came home. Tired.
May & I went to "Runaways." Very good. Cold there. Went home. Pa came over. Sewed in P.M. Snow deep when we came home. Tired.