1913 and 1924 Diaries of a Farmer and His Wife Exploring the Male and Female Perspectives of a Tough Life of Work and Community in Wayne County, New York

On offer are two diaries, written just over a decade apart by a Wayne County, New York farmer and his wife. The pair of diaries present the busy and thankless lives of early 20th century farmers from both the male and female perspective. 

The authors of these diaries are a husband and wife duo, John Nelson Pitts (1875-1961) and Minnie R. Pitts (nee Wells) (1874-1957). John was born in Butler, New York and lived near Wolcott, New York for his entire life, dying in Huron. Minnie was also born and spent her life in Wayne County. They married in 1904 and did not have any children. 

The 1913 diary was written by John, when the couple is in their late-30s. The 1924 diary was kept by Minnie, when they are in their late-40s. 

John’s 1913 diary details the day-to-day workings of his farm. His entries are short and sweet, but very consistent. He writes every single day in 1913 and adds additional notes about his work days in the Memoranda section. Some excerpts of John’s diary follow: 

“Cloudy & squally. I picked up around the A.M. and we cut wood this P.M. Snowy in the eve” [Jan 27, 1913].

“Fine and cool. I sowed grass seed this A.M. and helped Elmer cut wood P.M.” [Apr 9, 1913].

“Fine and cool. I [ ] the orchard and helped Elmer in P.M. We Minnie and I went and got the new rake. Fine eve” [July 15].

“Fair and warm. I cut corn today for myself. Minnie helped this P.M. Cool eve” [Sept 19, 1913]. 

“Fine and cool. I husked corn and chores. Min washed and is cross” [Nov 25, 1913]. 

Minnie’s 1924 diary is equally as consistent as John’s. She writes every single day and her entries are very detailed. She is the quintessential farmer’s wife and it is plain to see that she is a very busy, hard-working woman. Some excerpts follow: 

“Cold this morn 6 above zero. Bright all day. Cold west wind. We over to G. Fowler’s this A.M. and I washed this P.M. - J cleaned out smoke house”  [Feb 18, 1924].

“Snow squalls and flurried all day. Wet and nasty time. I made birthday cake for John on his birthday tomorrow. M and Lewie here in P.M. and I passed a lunch. Fire in furnace felt good” [Apr 20, 1924].

“46 [degrees]  this morn – fair today and cool. I washed, picked cucumbers and stuff from garden. Wella boys called at noon. Deetz’s goods came this P.M. 5 truck loads. J. Plowing and drew some hay. Still cool this eve” [Sept 4, 1924]. 

“Rained all day today – J choring around & he & Chas fixed she to put roosters in – J put hogs in pen in P.M. and I crocheted. Chas laid down in P.M. Dixie cow has a little calf this eve” [Sept 30, 1924].

For a social historian, these two diaries give an excellent look at how this couple managed their farm. It also shows very clearly the division of labour and the clear gender roles of the people involved. For a Gender Studies program, this would be a very good illustration of how these played out at this time in rural America.

The 1913 diary measures 5x3 inches and contains 182 pages. It is 100% complete and is in overall Fair condition. The 1924 diary measures 5.5x2.5 inches and contains 52 pages. It is 100% complete and in overall Good condition, save for some staining on the pages.