1925-1938 Diaries of the Husband and Wife of a Stafford, New York Farming Family, Both of Whom Are on Their Second Marriages

On offer is a terrific archive of two diaries and a cash accounts book kept by a farming husband and wife in Stafford, New York, which follow them from late in their courtship through their marriage and the family life that followed. 

The diaries belong to Charles Leonard Cone (1904-1978) and Marian Erma (Williams McCracken) Cone (1905-1995). Charles and Marian were each other’s second spouses. Charles’ first wife, Mae Pinney died in 1926, while Marian divorced her first husband, Ezekiel David McCracken in February of 1929 (in her accounting notes she includes the $70.00 she paid for said divorce). Marian and Charles married on May 4, 1929. They had ten children. They each entered their marriage with a child from their previous unions (Evelyn and Charles Jr.). Together, the couple had Doris (who did not survive infancy), Shirley, Norma, Laura, Laverne, Lloyd, Robert and Betty. 

This collection of three diaries covers the years of 1925-1938. The first two books were kept by Marian. The first is a diary that covers January 1, 1929-May 9, 1929 and May 10 1930-August 5, 1930 (note that this is a 1929 diary and Marian has changed the year to 1930 beginning on May 10). The second is a cash account book, offering a fascinating look at the cost of goods and services in the 1920s and 1930s. Marian begins the accounts book in January of 1925 and keeps it consistently until mid-1926. The book is then used inconsistently between 1928 and 1938, allowing the researcher to compare cost of living over the course of 13 years. The final dairy allows us to see the Cone’s world through their patriarch, Charles. He keeps the diary mostly from January to April, 1934, with a few entries in 1937. His entries are fairly brief but provide a nice contrast to Marian’s, as he describes the work he does day to day. 

Some excerpts from Marian’s diary follow:

“It has been pleasant, just like a spring day. The snow is all gone. The creek is up to the road and it is raining tonight. I mopped and done my ironing this forenoon. We sewed this afternoon. I finished Elsi Scott’s dress and got Mother’s all done but the hem” [Jan 18, 1929]. 

“It was pleasant only the wind blew. Louis plowed all day. We went over to Stafford and got our license this forenoon. We took Evelyn up to his folks while we went up and got married. We went up to Ruth’s tonight. [Charles] Junior came home with us this afternoon. Ruth and George had gone away. I made a cake and decorate it for Ruth’s birthday. I broke the starter again” [May 4, 1929]. 

“Louis plowed over to the other place in the afternoon he dragged the barley ground. Charlie drilled the barley in the forenoon and sowed grass seed in the afternoon. I rolled a while in the afternoon” [May 10, 1930]. 

“It was pleasant all day. The boys began pulling beans this morning. Had to fork them out by hand. I baked a cake and 2 pies this morning then went over and forked beans the rest of the day” [Aug 28, 1930]. 

Excerpts from the Charles diary follow: 

“Arose 5:30. Took children to school. Took Marian to dentist had all her teeth out. Rev Miller was here tonight. Mrs. Votry kept children” [Feb 1, 1934]. 

“Fixed spreader in a.m. cut awhile p.m. until rain. Marian went to Batavia alone p.m. Omar and I went to night” [Mar 31, 1934].

“Rose 3:15. loaded lambs. Fred helped us sold some potatoes worked around all day went to Raymond’s at night” [Apr 9, 1934]. 

The diaries measure 7x4.5 inches, 5.25x4.75 inches and 7x4.25 inches respectively. All are in Fair+ condition with notable wear to the covers. The books range from 30% to 60% complete.