DIARY OF
MINERVA HUTCHINSON Minerva Hutchinson was the daughter of Benjamin Hutchinson and Betsey (Tuthill) Hutchinson. She was born on Feb. 18, 1798. The family homestead was across from where the Longwood Public Library is located. This diary was copied and edited by Richard M. Bayles. This abstract comes from the collection of Mr. Donald Bayles. Sunday July 8, 1838 A great number were
taken into the church, of the young both male and female.
But our family remain in a state of unbelief and doubts.
Yet I would believe if I knew what was truth or the right
way. Cousin Samuel Hutchinson and wife visits for a day. July, 1838. Long Spell of dry weather
prevails. Cisterns are low, cattle have to be driven away
to water and water has to be carted for family use. July 26, Father planted a few hills of potatoes. Mother picked some pole beans for the first time. At night our rolls were brought home from the machine (carding mill down the river) I began to spin them. Very good rolls. I spun 28 knots. Aug. 19, 1838 - Sunday Mr. King did not come. I heard he was ill. Mr. Smith read a sermon in the A.M. & Ulysses Ritch in the P.M. Monday 20th Henry & E. Cherry & Mitchell Petty went to mow on the meadow at south. I washed. We had green corn (suckertash) for dinner. Tuesday, I ironed and spun the other part of the time. Mrs. Martha Swezey and her sister Abigail Stevens called. Also Mrs. Sarah Swezey. Aug. 7, Mrs. Dunns childs funeral at the meeting house. We all got up early (Aug 14) in the morning. Father & Harry killed a young hog. I got to spinning about sunrise having had breakfast by candlelight Aug. 16. Sunday. No preacher. Heard that Mr. King had got hurt by falling out of his wagon Carded mixed wool for stocking yarn. In the morning I carded again and spun in the P.M. Aug. 18, 1838- The sun was eclipsed. I smoked a piece of glass to look at it. Benjamin H. (Hutchinson appears to have the Post Office in 1838. Mrs Elizabeth Jones died about Sept. 29, 1838 Store goods were brought here by way of vessel to Drowned Meadow. Daniel Petty Sr. died Feb. 9, 1839 Miss Ruth Overton and Wm. Overton were
married Mar. 2, 1839 Mrs. Polly Howell died about April 28,
1839. Mrs. Susan Petty died May 25, 1839 Miss C. Bonney died about Aug. 23, 1839, at Wm. Sidney Smiths. She was buried at sunset of that day (Friday) in the M. I. Church burying ground and the funeral was conducted on the Sunday following, at the church. She was 21 years of age. Her sister and the Smith family were mourners. Mrs. Sarah and Martha Swezey were
frequent callers A great deal of time was spent pealing apples and peaches to dry, and neighbors came in to help for a few hours. On the night of the 13th of January, 1840
the steamboat Lexington was burned in the sound. Feb. 2. Snow storm. People went to church
in sleighs. Not any neighbor came in to see us. Mr. Andrews, Patrick Carroll, John Carroll and C. Davis were peddlers who called occasionally and dined or lodged. Jeremy Randall died Mar. 20, 1840 April 17, planted early peas April 18, Nathaniel Hudson had a lawsuit
with Smith Roe of Patchogue, at Benjamin Hutchinson's April 30th In the P.M. the stage came along with Mr. David Crowley and he spoke with father and Henry Sunday May 3, a number baptized in the P.M. Benjamin Hutchinson came along after the stage had gone and rode to the baptism. Benjamin T. Hutchinson married to Minerva
Overton Sunday May 17, 1840 June 4th- Aunt Polly Hutchinson called. June 25, Had peas for dinner Peggy and Margaret Hulse frequently
called. Mr. Backley and B. Terry peddlers also J. Bates, peddlers were numerous and they generally put up at this house. Mrs. Jershua Hulse died at the home of
Mrs. Ellison at south. Sept. 7, 1840 buried at Middle
Island on the 9th. Sept. 23, Father, H.P & B.H. forsook all again to go to Patchogue to a Democratic meeting, did not get home till the evening. Daniel Brown died of southern fever in
Sept. Dr. Samuel Norton died Nov. 17, 1840 Mother was afraid of my burning too much wood to scald the geese and we had some controversy first before the water was hot to scald the geese- O that we could enjoy all our blessings with love and peace to season them instead of disputings and contention for the future. Feb.2nd A vendue (auction) at Messrs.
Dayton's Enos Cherry put out one of his own eyes
with an awl. Feb. 28, Sunday, our peace was not
disturbed by visitors Monday April 12th Cold and snow began to fall increasing rapidly. It became more that a foot deep. Snowed Tuesday morning. Mail carrier drove through on horseback on Wednesday, and in the afternoon some sleighs broke the road. May 1, father went to the funeral of Mr.
Jerry King Amaziah Davis with his musick box called. Aug. 8, My mind was disturbed by the appearance of John Buckingham in our house with a jug of rum. Mr. Japheth Smith came to visit father with his strong drink. Aug. 22, First watermelons of the season. John Swezey is deranged, and his wife had
another child May 1840. Aunt Sarah is quite low in
spirits at the same time. Dec. 15 Zophar petty died. Miss Sally Overton died Feb. 26, 1842 April 1842, Mrs. Isaac Hudson, being sick was carried in a bed on a wagon to her father's house. She died about May 22. May 1st. Justus Overton died. Alfred Ackerly & Angelina Dayton married Sept. 7, 1842 Nov. 11, 1842 A stranger came and took dinner here, who is supposed to have murdered Mr. And Mrs. Smith at Huntington the evening before- 13th inst. On Friday P.M. 18th he was carried to riverhead jail. Amariah Davis married Nov. 30 John Gildersleeve and Sarepta Dayton
married Dec. 28, 1842 Monday 13th (Feb) and every day through
the week & evenings Mr. Hall & Mr. King continued
their meetings, although it was some days stormy &
quite tedious freezing weather & snow & icy but a
great many sleighs & loaded with people went days
& nights too. During the week beginning Sunday Feb.
19 they continued their meetings. Sally Swezey died April 3, 1843 More of this diary to come- last updated
Jan. 8, 2001 |