1874 Handwritten Look at Farm Life in Alfred, New York Through the Eyes of the Farmer’s Wife

On offer is a fine 1874 diary kept diligently by a middle-aged farmer’s wife and bereaved mother who is plagued by illness in Alfred, New York. 

The author of the diary is Mrs. Phebe Henrietta (Witter) Perry (1828-1901). She was the daughter of Weeden Witter and Phoebe Johnson. In 1847 she became the second wife of John Gardner Perry (1818-1906), a farmer. John had been widowed in 1842, when his wife, Katherine Burdick died at age 24, one month after giving birth to their son, Oliver, who died in 1843. They lived in Alfred, Allegany County, New York and had four sons together: William Perry (1848-1863), Cyrenius Perry (1850-1925), James Fones Perry (1854-1912) and Melvin (1857-1861). Melvin sadly died of drowning at just over four years of age. [Note: Phebe’s gravesite indicates her year of death as 1891, but federal census documents support the reported date of death of 1901; the reason for this discrepancy is unknown].  

This diary is chock full of the details of daily life on this family farm. The entries are detailed and complete. She also makes many many references to family and neighbours illustrating a very active social life. Census data shows that the Perry family often had a relative of Phebe’s staying with them to support the household. In 1874, Thankful Witter was boarding with them. 

 These excerpts will give a sense of the quality of her entries:

“Pleasant. John brought water for me to wash. Baked light bread. Cooked a rabbit. I feel tired and lame tonight but am better than I have been a number of days past” [Feb 1]. 

 “My 46 birthday. My days are gliding swiftly by and when my days are past and I from time remove Oh! May I be prepared to rest with those to whom Jesus will say well done good and faithful servant – enter thou into the joy of the Lord” [Feb 9]. 

“Some snowy. I done out quite a large washing. Mr. George Wescot came to sell medicines – bought 12 shil worth , a bottle of syrup $1 and a 2 shil bottle of painkillers and a bottle of magnetic ointment” [Apr 28]. 

 “Another very warm day. Menfolks planed some potatoes in the garden. Sowed hay seed on hill. I baked and moped and ironed 5 sets of window curtains and fool valences” [May 29]. 

“A good hay day. Frank worked for our folks. Finished mowing. [p ] went home with Frank to help him. Darwin helped our folks afternoon. Emmett Colman eat dinner with us. Bibby came and helped me quilt this afternoon. Mira and I washed and moped and baked bread, pies, cake” [Aug 16]. 

“Cloudy and cool I had quite a surprise. Mrs. Sweet come to see me had a little babe most 4 months old. Calls it Alice Caroline. Emerett washed for me. J and C dug potatoes I done considerable work for me today with Franks help” [Sept 11]. 

“Pleasant for the season. John went on the hill last night – shot and killed a tom. I finished binding my strip quilt besides doing the chores. Have not felt very well all day. Guess my work has been a little too much for my strength” [Dec 20]. 

 For a historian, this is a very detailed, daily account of life on a farm in post-civil war rural New York. Her descriptions are full and clear as she describes daily life. For a genealogist this diary references many in the Alfred community. For a Women’s Studies program, this is an excellent depiction of the life lived by farmer’s wife at middle age in 19th century rural America.

Measuring 5x3 inches, this 1874 diary contains 122 pages and is 100% complete. The cover is in good condition. The binding has cracked substantially the front cover, but is otherwise intact. The pages are all intact and the handwriting is clear and legible. Overall Fair.