1885 ORIGINAL GROUP OF THREE [3] MANUSCRIPT DIARIES HANDWRITTEN BY THE WIFE OF NOTED REVEREND WILLIAM RICE

SPRINGFIELD MASSACHUSETTS. Good. 1885. On offer is an interesting group of three [3] original manuscript diaries  for 1885, 1886 and 1887 handwritten, as identified in two of the three  books, by C. L. Rice of Springfield Massachusetts. Research leaves little  doubt that this was Caroline Laura Rice, wife of Reverend William Rice.  The noteworthy [see the BIO NOTES below] Reverend Rice was born on March  10th about 1821 and Caroline born in 1820. While she did not write every  day, between the three books there are about 373 pages making for them an  average of one third full each. Illness may have played a part in this as  it seems that Caroline is crippled in a wheel chair and in some way; at  least it seems that way during the time these diaries were written. She  notes that they carried her up stairs in her new chair. Then through 1885  and 1886 the doctor visits and recommends a "rubber" who is plainly a  masseuse who frequently gives her massages. That said she is 65 years old  and perhaps her aging is advanced. Here are some snippets: 1885 "Miriam  came up with the two boys. Horace is to sit for a crayon picture. They  stop at "the other house" but were over to tea….We had Horace's picture  home from Mrs. Parmalee's for our criticisms. Mrs. J. and Rachel came over  to see it…. Had a woman (Mrs. Fawcett) recommended by Dr. Bowles to give  me "Massage."…..Mrs. F. for the second time to manipulate my lame  legs….Mr. R. at preachers meeting. Miriam was over here in the forenoon  and did some errands for me. The children, Laura and William stayed to  dinner and came again to tea, curious to see Grandpa's birthday packages  opened. Mrs. Fawcett and rubbing (6)…Con. adjourned at noon. Several of  the company left before dinner. Some of them to attend the funeral of Bro.  Braman who died suddenly at Evans House during conference. All our  visitors left in afternoon. Charles went to Webster to get ready for his  move to Lowell. Went to ride this morning. Called on Millett's again and  he finally came this evening and filled the vase but did not finish his  work…..The Crawford's gone to Cape Porpoise to try change of air for the  baby. Ed went at noon to Pittsfield. Will and Lizzie dined with us on  their way to Boston and the White Mountains. Eddie came up last evening  and went with the Crawford's…." 1886 "Mr. Woods came this afternoon on his  way to Westfield to the graduating exercises of the Normal. Mr. Bishop in  to tea….Mr. R. went to N. York today to attend a meeting of the trustees  of the Wesleyan University….Ed went back to Pittsfield this noon. Mr. R.  came in before dinner with his throat in a much worse condition and  apparently sick every way. Miriam and Laura came in. They have just come  to the other house and Horace is with them….Lizzie appeared this forenoon.  Charles arrived about noon but stops at the other house. We all went to  the library to see the procession, the great celebration. I have not been  in the library for years before….A telegram says the dear little boy is  worse….A telegram that he died last evening. Mr. R. went to M. this  morning and returned in the evening to go again with me  tomorrow….Middletown. We came here this A.M. Mr. R. not well when we left  home. Very ill in the afternoon after we arrived…..The little boy was laid  away in his narrow bed but we could not follow him or even be present at  the services in the house. Mr. R. is sick with dysentery and I stayed with  him. All the folks said good bye to us and left but Charlie….Charlie came  from Lowell today to spend a few days here before going to the  Vineyard….Carrie and Morris went to Springfield to get furniture. A  dreadful day, rain, rain, rain. Air close, depressing….We have been moved  and are settled at Will's this afternoon. Have driven most of the family  out of their rooms. Carrie and Morris came this evening…Middletown. We  went down stairs. Mr. R. and myself the first time he has walked down for  two months. Carrie and Morris over to dinner…." 1887 "Mr. Rice gave his  lecture on Milton to a class of ladies this forenoon. Emma came this  afternoon just at dinner time….Went to the Miss meeting and read a paper.  Emma went with me. Had a dress maker at the house. Mr. R. and E. went to  see the Tapestry in the forenoon….Went to Mrs. Alexander's to hear the  Pandita Ramabai. She spoke to the "club". Left Laura putting up a picture  house. Had the dentist in the afternoon come and take out one of the  fillings in my teeth. It caused so much pain….Went to the club at Mrs.  Powers. Subject, How best to promote the temperance reform now that the no  license law is in force. What to do for young men….Mr. Rice gone to the  preachers meeting at Northampton. Miss Goeckler, his last summer's nurse,  came to make us a little visit. Had a tooth out this morning…Pleasant.  Remembrances of my birthday from children and grandchildren. The  Crawford's left early this morning. Went out to ride. Found flowers from  Miss Kueil when I came in…Mr. R. went to W. again in a great rain to  accompany ex. Gov. Robinson to the graduating exercises. He is to make a  speech on the occasion (the Gov.)…..Ed came down this noon, only for a  short visit. He has not yet prepared to leave for the summer. Miss R. was  taken ill this evening and called the doctor. She was in great pain but  soon found relief. Carrie's baby not well. Miss R. better but sick in bed.  Ed left at 9 o'clock A.M. Baby Freddie has dysenteric diarrhea. Artie  Pease has come in to take care of her aunt….Clara Pease came to care for  Miss R. in place of Artie. Means to take her home. She is rather better.  Baby Fred quite ill and all his folks anxious. They took him this  afternoon to the sea shore….Saturday had some changes made about the beds  upstairs and was carried up in my new chair to see the arrangement. Later  we all went to ride. It was cold but clear and bright". Many names  mentioned: Crawford, Mary Scranton, Jennie Bishop, Dickinson, Bishop  Foster, Strong, Dr. Vincent, Crowell, Fawcett, Darling, Denslow, Dr.  Rogers, Pease, Bogbee, Richardson, Dr. Cummings, Dr. Bates, Donovan,  Northrup, Woods, Emerson, Pillsbury, Holburds, Dr. Bowles and more. All  three diaries measure about 3¼" x 5¾" and are overall G. BIO NOTES: The  book "William Rice: A Memorial" tells of his distinguished career as a  preacher abolitionist. Later in life he became Springfield's town  librarian. In fact the library is now called The William Rice Building. He  married Caroline on September 13th, 1843. She was the daughter of William  North of Lowell Massachusetts. They had two sons, William North Rice,  Professor in Wesleyan University and Charles Francis Rice, a member of the  New England Conference. Their daughter is Caroline Laura, wife of Morris  B. Crawford, professor in Wesleyan University. Then one of their sons,  Edward Hyde Rice, died at an early age in 1895. Both William and Caroline  died before 1900.; Manuscript; 16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall; KEYWORDS:  HISTORY OF, CAROLINE LAURA RICE, REVEREND WILLIAM RICE, C. L. 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