August 25, 1851 - Not to graduate this year

Monday 25th (August)

Arose did my work and prepared myself for school where I found quite a number assembled (?).  Sat and . . . talked and laughed . . . Came home at noon. Went back in the afternoon but still . . . to laugh, until 5 o-clock when Mr Lippett gave me my studies and . . . Mr Wilber will not let me graduate this year. Came to Libbie and from there to . . . came home… supper… sat on the doorstep awhile and then Libbie and Thomas went home and I went over to Aunt Charlotte’s but . . . Father . . . come home.

Mr. Wilber will have a change of heart, and allow Serena to graduate on Friday evening, June 25, 1852, at the end of this school year. She will read her composition “The Mother’s Sacrifice upon the Altar of Fashion” and also give the Valedictory Address (Alumna 1849:58)

August 17, 1851 - My face was so much broken out

Sunday 17th (August)

Did not go out in the morning as my face was so much broken out (?) but went to lessons the afternoon and I tell you we had a glorious time . . . there I met new converts (?) . . . and me on my way to glory. (?) I did not go out in the evening.

 

The Cincinnati Enquirer August 26, 1851

August 14, 1851 - Father . . . seemed to suspect me

Thursday 14th (August)

Wrote a letter to Julia, still very down hearted for when Father came home he seemed to suspect me, and took considerable notice of the letter. Finished almost all the dress, but was sad because Caroline did not expect to come (?) in with me. Made some . . .

Father must have received a report about Serena’s behavior in Piqua.

August 12, 1851 - Travel back home

Tuesday 12th (August)

Bright and early, I had on my travelling dress to start home. About seven the coach stopped and we were all seated, after bidding all good bye we started. Dined at Dayton. Had arrived coach to Dayton, 23 passengers, only . . . of which came down to the city.  Father met us rather cool which made me feel very bad. I found sickness at home as usual. 

Serena is probably traveling home with little brother Albert, but we don’t know who else may be with them. Albert has been badly neglected if there is no one else in their party.

August 10, 1851 - I tell you we had good times

Sunday 10th (August)

Arose quite early prepared myself for church, but still felt very sad, went to the Presbyterian, and heard a tolerable good discourse. Came home ate dinner after which Julia went to Sunday school and left John and I home alone, and I tell you we had good times. John went to a funeral in the afternoon and in the evening Mr ? came over and joked a while with us, after which John and I sat up a while and then retired.

 

So much for our assumptions that young ladies should always be chaperoned!

 

 

 

August 9, 1851 - Mrs. Jordan started for camp-meeting

Saturday 9th (August)

      Early in the morning, Mrs Jordan started for camp-meeting, Julia and I cleaned up the house and then washed and ironed a few things. John came home at noon, and waited to see his vest which seemed to please him very much. We dressed ourselves for the evening but not so . . . I went over to the Hotel where I met . . . who came home . . . with me . . . Sat up a while with John. Received two letters which made me feel very sad. I cried.

Camp meetings have been important events for Methodists since they first appeared on the American frontier in the late 1700s. They first arose when worshipers from afar gathered around churches to hear popular preachers. Horse-drawn transportation was too slow to allow them to return home on the same day, so the people camped on the church grounds. The Methodist church holds quarterly meetings to conduct church’s business and to “stoke the fires of revival.” These began as outdoor meetings, but the business part has gradually separated into the indoor “conference” leaving the camp meeting as entirely a religious experience (Messenger 6). There is a feeling that campers are returning to biblical times when God was physically present, such as the wandering of the Hebrews in the desert following their exodus from Egypt (Messenger 37).

 There are some challenges. Camp life reduces the day-to-day demands of housework and work life to allow more leisure time for religious activities. Unfortunately participants have . . . “only to step into the woods to enjoy a shot of whiskey, a hearty brawl, and the pleasures of the opposite sex” (Messenger 32). The organizers meet these challenges by instituting standardization, organization, and rigid schedules. Camp Meeting Manuals are published. An example is Camp Meeting Manual, a Practical Book for the Camp Ground, by the Rev. B. W. Gorham, which will be published in 1854. This manual will provide guidance for site selection, location of water sources, construction of speaker platforms and tents, rules of order, and the presence of a “civil officer” to enforce these rules. (Gorham)

A major objective of the camp meetings is to “call God’s people away from their worldly business and cares for several successive days, thereby securing time for the mind to disentangle itself from worldly care, and rise to an undistracted contemplation of spiritual realities (Gorham 17).”

Serena seems to have made a new vest for John Jordan. 

It is not surprising that Serena would receive bad news in the letters. It is summertime, cholera and fevers are constant threats, and consumption is taking its toll on young people.

 

Daily Cincinnati Gazette, August 16, 1851

 

August 2, 1851 - Serena's visit to Piqua

Saturday 2^nd (August)

Went over to the Hotel, dressed Albert, and wandered around all day. Julia and I went over to the store and John came home with us. Staid a while and said he would be back during the day, but was not. Mr Fisk came, but I tell you he is a hard case. Dressed myself after tea when John, the sweet fellow called and took me over to Maggie Crosbys to spend the evening. Spent a pleasant evening, but was quite sad during the time John came home with me when, I met Mr Fisk sat there and talked till nearly 12 o clock and then retired. 

Serena spent the night with her friend Julia Jordan. Little brother Albert was at the hotel. Did he spend the night alone? Who was caring for him? Please, Serena, give us more details!

The Hotel may be the famous Miami House, opened in 1840. According to Echoes of the Miami Valley, it is one of the most frequented hotels in Piqua. It is described as being the finest hotel between Dayton and Toledo at this time. The ceiling of the ballroom is painted blue and studded with stars.

July 31, 1851 - Serena's Train Ride to Piqua

Thursday 31^st (July)

Change cars at Venice. Next we passed the Yellow Springs, which is a very pleasant place. We will change cars once more before we arrive at Urbana. Changed at Springfield it is a pretty little place. We got into the car where we found little space. Dined at Urbana at a nasty little hotel where I am sure . . . There we left the cars, and took  . . . to Piqua at which place we expect to arrive by 6 o-clock. We had started and such a time jolt, jolt, jolt until positively I thought we would be jolted to Death. We finally arrived there, dressed, ate supper, and after tea received a call from Frank McHinney and John Jordan, spent a very pleasant evening and retired.

 

 

 

The Cincinnati Enquirer, January 5, 1851

July 29, 1851 - Libby has moved into her own home

Tuesday 29^th (July)
 
Arose rather late, and after breakfast, went up . . . and had quite a time . . . saw her instated in her own home . . . had happened, I arose to go but found nothing serious the matter only the loss of a heel, so . . .

Serena's handwriting is very faint and hard to read. We learn from this entry that Libby and her husband have moved into their own home.

The last two weeks have been mostly concerned with sickness. Mr. Prentiss has gradually recovered from his illness. Various family members have sat with him, night and day. There was a nurse at one point. Dr. Prior Fiore and Dr. E. K. Chamberlin have made house calls. There was a brief scare when Caroline became ill. Serena feared it was cholera. A doctor was called to come see Caroline during the night. She quickly recovered.

Caroline and Serena have been making bed sheets. Although it is no longer necessary for the family to weave their own cloth for sheets, they must hem and finish sheets and make pillow cases from store-bought fabric.

Serena writes that there is "quite a discussion on Slavery, at the dinner table" one evening, but gives no details. It is surprising that this is the only time she mentions slavery in this journal. Serena's father and uncles are active abolitionists.

There was a partial solar eclipse yesterday, but it was obscured by clouds.

July 15, 1851 - Father was quite angry

Tuesday 15th (July)
A little before two-oclock Mr P sent Thomas to awaken me. …?..James. And after I dressed myself, went down stairs to make a cup of coffee. About ½ 3, the omnibus drove up, and I went to the door, but John was not there. Father of course would not let me go. So I took off my things, and in about 1 hour and a ¼ another came stating that John was at the depot. Father was quite angry, and sent word back, that he did not permit his daughter to meet any gentleman at the ..?.. when they were too impolite to come for her. So I put off going until Father should go up, which will be Friday or Monday. I did not believe one who had made such professions of friendship would thus slight me. But I will have to content myself at home. Well evening has come, and we all assembled around the bed of the sick one, Mr Hazelton is sitting up with Mr Printiss, and I do not know where we are to sleep. Father is to sleep on the trunk, and the rest of us are to sleep, where we can. I wrote a note to ..?.. to night.
It is surprising that Father would even consider allowing his daughter to travel to Piqua with a young man. It is even more surprising that the young man, John Jordan, would be so rude as to not call for Serena to escort her to the depot. Father puts his foot down, and Serena feels slighted by John’s lack of consideration.
Mr. Prentiss has been ill for several days. He is staying with Serena’s family, which requires some rearrangement of sleeping accommodations.

July 6, 1851 - I asked Mr. Printiss his meaning of Precocious

Sunday 6^th (July)

Quite an unpleasant morning. I did not go to Sunday school and in fact did not go out all day. In the morning father and Mr Printiss went to the country and did not return until 7 in the evening. In the afternoon William Spooner but was very cool towards Celly (?) and me. In the evening William Lewis preached his trial sermon but none of us went to hear him. Mr Printiss Caroline and I cleared away the table and washed the dishes, but had no dishcloth or towel. Before retiring, I asked Mr Printiss his meaning of Precocious, he said forward, which so shocked me that I was quite vexed, and he also was angry, and I have not seen him since.

The dishcloths and towels must have all been sent away with the laundry. Serena’s family may send their laundry out because Serena never mentions needing to do it herself during the periods when they have no servants.

When laundry is done at home, it is usually takes most of the day on Monday. This is the traditional wash day because there should be enough leftovers from Sunday dinner so that the housewife would not need to cook a full meal in addition to doing the laundry. The dirtiest items are soaked in lye or caustic soda and then boiled in a large pot. They are agitated by hand-operated wooden “peg dolly” or rubbed over a ridged washboard. Lighter articles are washed in a tub of lukewarm or cool water. Stains are removed by using Fuller’s earth (a type of clay), lemon juice, onion juice, or even urine. Linen is bleached by soaking it in urine, which contains ammonia. On sunny days linens can be bleached by laying them out in the sunshine. Men’s shirts and collars are starched stiff as boards. After the laundry is rinsed, it must be hung to dry. It must first be wrung as much as possible to minimize the drying time. Hand-cranked wringing machines are available in the nineteenth century. Laundry is hung on lines in the yard (or possibly hedges and bushes) or racks in the kitchen. Finally, ironing is done using flatirons heated on the kitchen range or box irons filled with hot charcoal. There are a multitude of special tools used to iron ruffles and frills (Seymour 278-287).

William Lewis is Serena’s cousin, the son of Uncle Samuel and Aunt Charlotte.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, the definition of the word “precocious” is:

Of a person (now esp. a child): prematurely developed or showing an unusual degree of advancement in some faculty, ability, or proclivity; (hence, of attributes, behaviour, etc.) indicative of such development. Now freq. mildly derogatory, with connotations of overconfidence, self-assertiveness, or pretension.

 

 

July 4, 1851 - Every one is out trying to Hunt the Fourth

Friday 4^th (July)

A memoral day, every one is out trying to Hunt the fourth, and many I trust will find him, some in the grog shop, others at balls and some like myself will find him in the kitchen. We did all the work as usual and in the afternoon Libbie, Thomas, and I went out to the farm. Spent a very pleasant day in the hay field, lying on the new mown hay. Got a lecture from Cousin Joe Nye and returned home. Had many fireworks of every description. A little past 9 went down to get some ice cream and such a time. After we came home, sat on the steps a while when father called us in to look at the fireworks from Sterritts, after which we retired.

The farm may have been in Maineville, Warren County, Ohio. According to the 1860 Federal Census, Joseph T. Nye lived there with R. T. Nye, H. Wilson and Sidney Stacy. Perhaps he was not happy to have the young people trampling his freshly mown hay. Joseph Nye’s wife is Serena’s aunt. Roxanna Tolman Nye was the widow of Timothy Wilson. She is the mother of Lewis, James, and Henry Wilson, as well as Abigail and Samuel Nye (Spooner 178-180).

 

Ice cream is included in the list of products prepared by confectioners (Parkinson). Williams’ Cincinnati Directory and Business Advertiser, for 1850-51 lists more than forty confectioners in Cincinnati. They are scattered along the main streets throughout the area between the Ohio River and Ninth Street. Serena has previously mentioned going to Bakers for ice cream. There is a grocery operated by Charles F. Baker, located at the northeast corner of Seventh and Elm. Perhaps he also sells ice cream. This ice cream would be made using natural ice cut from frozen lakes and rivers, insulated with hay in ice houses, and delivered by ice dealers. There are no freezers to store the ice cream; it must be eaten soon after it is prepared.

July 3, 1851 - Taking a ride to the Cemetery

Thursday 3^rd (July)

Rose rather late got breakfast, and then sat down to wait for the girl but finding she did not come, Libbie and I again ..?.. stations in the kitchen. Did all the work and after dinner Thomas proposed taking a ride to the Cemetary. He and Libbie and Caroline went with Albert but as I was very tired and did not get ready in time I did not go. We still have no girl. We thought Mr Printiss was going to stay out to the farm all night but who should knock at the door but him.

The family has been without a maid since Bridget left on Saturday. Libby and Serena must do all the housework until they can hire a new maid.

Churchyard cemeteries are becoming crowded in the mid-nineteenth century. Public rural cemeteries are now desirable. Mount Auburn in Boston, Pere la Chaise in Paris, and Laurel Hill in Philadelphia are examples of this new type of cemetery. They feature landscaping, many types of trees and flowers, statues, monuments, columns, stone vaults, and winding lanes. Spring Grove was consecrated in 1845 on about 166 acres four miles from Cincinnati. It has become one of the most beautifully landscaped areas in the city (Green, and Bennett 40).

Serena’s grandparents, Samuel and Abigail Tolman Lewis, and her mother, Serena Rose Lewis, were originally buried at the Methodist Episcopal Church. In 1846 they were moved to a family vault in Spring Grove. The vault is topped with a stone lighthouse, perhaps in memory of Samuel Lewis’s seafaring days.

June 27, 1851 - Graduation of the Class of 1851

Friday 27^th (June)

Well the examination is over, and how glad I am, no more study for 7 weeks. We had no school, but went down however to practice some chorusses for the evening. In the evening I had a beautiful bouquet sent to me from Charlie W. Went and had so much fun. Played the schoolmaster for Mr Pond and two little girls to sing. After the evening closed, we had a great time kissing, the Valedictory was very good. Got home very early considering the number of compositions which were read.

The Class of 1851 graduated this evening. The program does not list the titles or the performers of the seven musical selections. One of the selections was the song The Schoolmaster sung by Mr. Pond and two students, with Serena at the piano. There were twenty compositions read by graduates. The Valedictory was given by Susan E. Overstreet of Louisville, Kentucky (Alumna 1859:56).

The first edition of the Alumna, which will be published in 1859, will include programs from the Commencement Exercises of 1845 through 1859. Each of these events will include an opening prayer, several compositions with interspersed musical selections, the awarding of diplomas, a valedictory address, a parting hymn composed by one of the students, and a benediction. Guest  speakers are listed only three times in this period: Bishop T.A. Morris, D.D., will offer the opening prayer in 1853, the Hon. B. Storer, LL. D., will give an Address to the Young Ladies’ Lyceum in 1858, and Rev. Calvin Kingsley, D.D., will also address the Young Ladies’ Lyceum in 1859. Commencement Exercises will expand to two consecutive evenings in 1858 and 1859, possibly to accommodate the twenty-nine compositions in 1858. The first commencement, in 1845, was held at the Ninth-Street Methodist Church. The second, in 1846, was held at Morris Chapel. Commencements held from 1847 through 1859 will be held at Wesley Chapel (Alumna 1859:46-75).

June 26, 1851 - Cousin Elizabeth’s wedding day

 

Thursday 26^th (June)

Still, I again must say we have our examination. I trembled considerable during the morning as I was to be examined the last hour. The time soon arrived, and we were assembled on the platform. Mr Trimble and Mr Johnson sat in front of us laughing.  I was very much, consequently missed one question, also stammered over my proposition. I felt like giving up all for lost, when Mr Lippitt gave us another chance, and I did finely. In the afternoon after hearing some compositions read and some singing, I staid to practice a while and then came home to dress for the evening. I had a beautiful book (?)- muslin dress, read to satisfy myself, also played twice. Stopped and congratulated the bride and groom as I returned home.

Joseph M. Trimble is the Presiding Elder of the East Cincinnati District of Methodist Episcopal Churches (Cist 80). Perhaps Mr. Johnson is Professor H. F. Johnson, M.D., Professor of Practice of Medicine at the Physo-Medical College. They may have been there to administer or to observe the final examinations of the students (Cist 115).

This is the wedding day of Elizabeth Spooner and James Bigger. It is surprising that Serena does not attend the wedding because she and Serena and Cousin Elizabeth are so close. Perhaps she would have attended if examinations were not scheduled that day. It is also possible that William Spooner’s parlor is crowded with the families of Elizabeth’s brothers, William and Thomas Spooner, and the immediate family of James Bigger. Serena calls on the newly married couple after her day at school.   

 

The Cincinnati Enquirer June 28, 1851

 

June 10, 1851 - The Wedding day of my dear and only Sister

 This was a day of days. We arose in the morning quite early, but Libby was not in a very good humor, the first part of the morning. However she cheered up, and before the appointed time, we heard her sweet notes to resound through the house. Mr Printiss and Aunt Charlotte set the . . . which after it was completed did really look beautiful. Caroline and I went up to William Wright’s to get a neck ribbon, and after she came home we drest ourselves, for the Wedding. Libby and Mira did look sweet, also Thomas. We had the invited guests, but after they came down without being seated Mr Trimble rose immediately and married them which ceremony was beautiful. After the ceremony was concluded, Libby received several calls. They all seemed to enjoy themselves very much, and about ½ 1 o-clock most of them left excepting the family and a few others who went to cars with Sister. We sat there until the bell rang when we bid them good bye and then returned to an almost desolate home. It was very lonely without Libby. We sat and talked a while about her, and the retired. Mr Printiss was obliged to go home as there were some . . . at his house.

Libby’s wedding is a simple event on a weekday morning, at home, with only a few guests. The young women probably wear their nicest dresses. Serena and Caroline embellish their dresses with new neck ribbons from William Wright’s store, purchased today, almost as an afterthought. Neck ribbons are worn with or without a brooch at the knot. They are bright colors, usually embroidered, and tied in a square flat knot close to the throat (Severa 100).

Joseph M. Trimble is the Presiding Elder of the East Cincinnati District of Methodist Episcopal Churches (Cist 80).

Friends who did not attend the wedding call on the couple immediately afterward.  These are brief visits to congratulate Thomas and to wish Libby happiness. Almost everyone has left by 1:30pm, when it is time to escort the couple to the train station. A bell is rung to signal the time for the train to depart. We don’t know the destination for the honeymoon trip.

June 8, 1851 - Invitation to a party

Sunday 8^th (June)

Rose tolerable early, but did not go to Sunday school nor church. Mr. Printiss left rather late, and about 11 o-clock Father came home. In the afternoon I went to class, and after I came home, Mr ? and Thomas L (?) called. After tea Caroline and I took a little to try and find where Lewis Wilson, lived but were unable to do so. So I stopped in Mary Massons and Caroline came home with the children. I found Jimmie Jackson there who informed me they were to have a ..?..party this evening Monday. After a while, Will Masson came in and asked me to go with him, I told him it was very uncertain, but I would give him an answer to-morrow. Came home as did Father, and having received the answer, no, sat right down and wrote a note to Mary Masson.
 

Lewis Wilson is Serena’s cousin, the son of Timothy H. Wilson and Serena’s aunt, Roxana Tolman Lewis. He is about twenty-one years old, working as a house-carpenter. He married Henrietta Packer on January 29, 1851. Their first child will be born in the fall (Spooner 179).
 

Who were the children that were walking with Serena and Caroline? We don’t know of any children other than little brother Albert Henry Lewis.
 

James Jackson is a popular name. One James Jackson was a twenty-one year old chair maker at the time of the 1850 Census. He was born in Maryland. He lived in Ward 4 in a household that included ten young men. It may have been a boarding house. Another James Jackson was a twenty-three year old printer, born in Canada. He lived in Ward 10, in the household of John Jackson, age twenty-nine, Ellen Jackson, and three small children. The most likely Jimmie Jackson was nineteen years old at the time of the 1850 Census. He was working as a clerk, and lived in Ward 9 of Cincinnati, in a large family, all born in Ireland.
 

Will Masson is Mary’s brother, age twenty-two.
 

Serena’s sister Libby and Thomas Hunt will be married in two days, but we would never know it from this journal entry. There seems to be no drama – no flurry of dress fittings, hair styling, florist visits, wedding cake selection, reception planning, stag parties and bridal showers. It seems that weddings are simple affairs in 1851.

 

May 24, 1851 - Boating Party on the River

Saturday 24th (May)

Preparations were made for the May party. Emma came down about ½ 5 o-clock, and the rest assembled between that time and 8 o-clock. We coupled off and went to the river, had a most beautiful sail down the river up the Licking about 7 miles, we then came back and went 7 miles up the Ohio, and landed at a most beautiful place. There was a committee appointed to set the table it was a very nice table indeed. After dinner they tried dancing which in my estimation was very wrong. Then there were . . . put up and . . . this game. Others took a pleasant walk in the wood . . . so they were differently employed. There was one which particularly attracted my attention a Mr T [homas]Harris. He is a very fine young fellow indeed. We dined (?) there until a little past six o-clock in the evening and then made preparations to return. There were some actions which were very very disgusting. We had a very pleasant trip down home except the dancing which I am afraid will make disturbance yet. We landed here a little after 7 o-clock where were omnibusses waiting to carry us home. Ours was so very crowded we were obliged to sit on each other’s laps. Mr P[rentiss] and I rode to the top of the hill and had to walk down which was not very pleasant. I tell you I was tired when I got home but soon retired.

Perhaps the picnic site is James Parker’s apple orchard, a popular destination for church picnics. It is located on the river east of the city. In 1886 it will be sold to a riverboat company and become Ohio Grove, the Coney Island of the West (Green, and Bennett 78).

Tommy Harris seems to have changed his mind about the party. On Thursday it sounded as if he did not plan to attend.

Emma may be Emma M’Cullough, from Mt. Auburn, who will graduate June 27, 1851. Her composition will be “Mountains and Valleys of Human Pilgrimage” (Alumna 1859:56).

If only Serena would tell us more. Is there a band stand with a brass band playing irresistible waltz or polka tunes? Has one of the young people brought along a fiddle or a flute? Or has the singing and clapping of the group led to impromptu dancing of spirited quadrilles (similar to square dances) or reels? Whatever the excuse, Serena is a good Methodist and Methodists don’t dance. “A deluge of American anti-dance literature was written by white, protestant, male evangelists and clergy who held rigid traditionalist views about the roles of women in society. These men admonished women that dancing always led to pernicious ends.” (Knowles 6) If Father hears about the dancing, Serena knows that she will be in serious trouble.

It is interesting that Mr. Prentiss is mentioned. Has he organized the omnibuses to meet the boating party, or has he been part of the party? Is Serena obliged to sit on his lap? Does he know about the dancing? By any stretch of the imagination, could he possibly have been considered a chaperone?

Tell me now, Mother mine, are you willing to send
Your girl to the Pit for the demons to rend?

Well, if not, then beware of the lure of the DANCE.

There the Devil will catch her if given a chance.

Lulu Agnew Singer (From “The Lure of the Dance”)

(Knowles)

May 20, 1851 - Going to the Panorama

Tuesday 20th (May)

Arose tolerably early, went to school, and Mr. Wilber proposed going to see the Panorama. Recitations as usual, came home to dinner, and it rained quite hard, I was caught in it, and by the time I got to school was quite wet. Had a little talk before school, and then, recitations as usual in the afternoon, after which we came home. I wrote a little composition and then dressed myself and went up to Sallie Sterritt’s. Spent quite a pleasant evening and Mr Ware came home with me. It was about ½ 10 o-clock when I got home, but I found Libby and Thomas still up, and this . . . had gone to bed. I retired.

A panorama is coming to Cincinnati! This is big news in these days when only live entertainment is available. Photography is in its infancy, and we are well before the invention of moving pictures in the 1890s.

The panorama was a form of mass entertainment developed in England early in the Industrial Revolution. The invention was patented by Robert Barker on June 17, 1787. The word “panorama” was coined at about the same time (Oettermann 5-7). Early panoramas were paintings viewed in specially constructed rotundas with domed roofs. Observers entered through a dimly lit corridor and climbed a stairway to a central platform. The platform was roofed to shield the view of the skylights above the pictures. The painted canvas was hung in a full circle around the walls. There were three-dimensional objects or cutouts at the base of the picture to provide a realistic transition to the mural. The first panoramas depicted a 360-degree view of a real landscape or historical scene. The painted surface could consist of a canvas strip up to 300 feet in length and 40 to 60 feet high (Oettermann 49).

Cincinnati is getting a moving panorama, a more recent development. This type of panorama depicts the view that a traveler might see from a moving vehicle such as a steamboat or train. It might be of any length. The ends of the canvas are attached to mechanically driven cylinders so that the canvas can be unrolled in front of the audience. The panorama would probably be narrated by a lively speaker and accompanied with exciting piano music. Steamboat journeys down the Mississippi are popular. This type of panorama is portable, so that it may be carried from city to city. Panoramas will become less popular as travel opportunities increase later in the 19th century (Avery 52-53).

We met Sallie Sterritt on March 30. Mr. Ware might be David A. Ware. The 1850 Federal Census describes him as a 16-year-old brick molder, living in Ward 8.

May 15, 1851 - Such graceful jumping

Thursday 15th (May)

The day of days has come. Rose by 5 o-clock was ready by 7 to start. Went down to Aunt Dodson’s to start, when I got there found the omnibus waiting for me. Went over for Mary S[ackett], and when I came back found Charlie [Wright?] waiting for me, introduced Mary to him and also Julia [Jordan]. Well we got started and such a beautiful morning, and pleasant ride until we came to the narrows where we all had to get out and the boys helped to haul the omnibus by. We walked nearly a mile when we got in but soon had to get out again. We were soon there and such a beautiful place. Went to the dressing room prepared our toilet and then down to the woods. The boys were very polite indeed, we got on top of the fence and such graceful jumping. Went up in the woods and staid until dinner time, came back ate dinner at a most splendid table after which we went out under a shady tree, read awhile, and then took a walk to the culvert and was caught by the boys, who came out from behind a bush, and took us a skiff ride, the boat filled so fast as to frighten us dreadfully, we tried to get to shore but it was impossible for sometime, finally we landed on a rock the boys waded and took us out. We then went up to the house, sat on the grass a while, and then prepared to come home. All seated in the omnibus we started, and had a very pleasant ride down. Edna W sang for us and then we sang. Arrived at last, but the beaux had their feelings somewhat hurt. Went home with Mary Sackett a while and then returned home.

Aunt Dodson is probably Jane Rose Dodson, the sister of Luther Rose. Luther Rose is Serena’s maternal grandfather.

Mary J. Sackett is a fellow student at Wesleyan Female College. She will graduate on Friday, June 27, 1851. She will read her composition “Influence of Cheap Literature” at the Commencement Exercises. (Alumna 1859:56). She will teach at the college from 1853 until at least 1859 (The Alumna 1859:98). Edna W. may also be a classmate.

Times are changing. Back in the 1820s, women had such a “passion for modesty…that group picnics were thought to be indelicate” (Green and Bennett 33). The location of this picnic is not mentioned. They use an omnibus to get there. An omnibus is a horse-drawn conveyance, similar to a stagecoach, but with the doors at the back and seats running lengthwise along the sides. It can seat from twelve to twenty-eight people, depending on the size of the vehicle, and requires two or four horses. Omnibus lines came to Cincinnati in the 1840s (McShane and Tarr 59). Williams’ Cincinnati Guide and Business Register for 1852 lists ten scheduled routes, but the young people seem to have hired this one for today’s adventure.

“Prepared our toilet” means that they combed their hair, washed their faces and hands, and perhaps bit their lips and pinched their cheeks to give them more color. These young ladies would certainly not use lipstick or powder their noses. They may have removed veils or wraps worn to protect their hair and dresses from dust while they were traveling in the omnibus.

They must get over a fence to reach the fields and woods. That fence would probably be a rail fence; barbed wire will not be commercially available until 1873 (World Book).

“The best way to assist a lady over a fence, is to stand yourself upon the upper rail, and while using one hand to keep a steady position, stoop, offer her the other, and with a firm steady grasp, hold her hand until she stands beside you; then let her go down the other side first, and follow her when she is safe upon the ground” (Hartley 70). Serena and her friends choose to ignore this advice. The laughing girls, in a flutter of sunbonnets, long skirts, and petticoats, gleefully leap from the fence, perhaps into the arms of the eager young men waiting to “assist” them.

May 11, 1851 - Calling a friend of mine Dutch

Sunday 11th (May)

It was very very warm when I arose Sunday morning that I could (?) not prepare myself for Sabbath School, I did not go to church. After dinner I dressed myself for class. Had to wear my old bonnet, however I went had a good class returned home where I found Thomas H[unt]. After tea Caroline and I went over to Cousin Elizabeth’s. Spent a very pleasant evening with Thomas S[pooner] and Mr B[igger] and returned at 10 oclock. Mr B accompanying us, but met with a small misfortune calling a friend of mine Dutch. . . .home where I found Thomas H[unt] and Libby courting, father not yet returned from church.

Cincinnati is the new home for a large population of Irish and German immigrants. The immigrants tend to live together in neighborhoods with a common language and culture. The Germans in particular become politically active. Germans in America are often called “Dutch,” a corruption of “Deutsch,” for “German.” The term “Pennsylvania Dutch” is an example of this. A “nativist” movement arises among people born in America who resent the influx of Catholics and other foreign born. This leads to violence and riots. This prejudice will slowly wear away, and Cincinnati eventually will come to treasure its German heritage (Green and Bennett 32-34).

Cousin Elizabeth Spooner and James Bigger will not be married until June. It looks as if she has already set up housekeeping in her own home. She may have had an inheritance from her parents that would have facilitated this. Another possible explanation is that she is staying with one of her brothers, Thomas or William Spooner.

Libby and Thomas were apparently enjoying a few moments of unchaperoned privacy while the others were away.

May 9, 1851 - Saw the bride and congratulated her

Friday 9th (May)

A most Beautiful day, and when I gaze out upon Nature how beautiful did every thing appear. Truely God is in every thing, Even when the gentle breeze this morning seemed slightly to ruffle the tender leaf, me think I could see impr.?. thereon the name of God. I did not go to school as I was not very well in the morning. In the afternoon, I walked down with Mr Printiss and such a walk, and such a talk. I got to school quite early, talked a while when the bell rang. I was not prepared with my Rhetoric lesson for which I was very sorry. Went up to get a library book and then after a chat with the girls returned home. After tea Cousin C[aroline] and I took a walk around the square, after we came to our door we met Thomas H[unt], who with Libby took a walk up past Sallie Sterritts, she came down with us, had a pleasant walk, but was quite fatigued. Caroline is now sleeping. Saw the bride and congratulated her.

Serena does not describe the library books that she reads. There is a concern at this time that young women and girls are too fond of novels and light reading, and that this may lead to “female depravity” (Calhoun 73). Serena’s teachers would probably have looked askance at Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre and Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights, published in 1847, and even at Jane Austen’s books, published before 1817.

Is the bride Fannie B.? I have not been able to identify her.

April 27, 1851 - Caroline and Serena go to the country

Sunday 27th (April)

Arose rather early, Father ate his breakfast…?. Caroline and I thought we would go in the country. So Jamie got the horse and carriage, and as father went out the front door we went out the side door. Got there about 20 minutes past 11 but found no one at home. Lot [Lothrop] came in presently and said they had all gone to the funeral of Mrs C’s baby. He got dinner about 2 (?) When A[bigail] and the rest arrived, dinner was again prepared for them. Abbey was quite cool towards me and also Caroline, matters however were soon explained. Lot and I went down in the woods (?) gathered some wild flowers and then came to the house, we soon started home but stopped in to (?) Aunt Roxana’s home had ..?.a beautiful conversation. We then started home but as the carriage broke down with us we were obliged (to tie ?) it up which made every one laugh that passed us. However we soon got home and we found Mr P[rentiss], father Aunt C[harlotte] and Mrs Wells.

Serena and Caroline have decided to visit the home of Caroline’s father-in-law John Wilson in Green Township, Hamilton County, Ohio. Caroline lived here before the death of her toddler Joseph in January and now seems to drift back and forth from the farm to Serena’s home. Abigail and Lothrop are Serena’s cousins. Abigail is unmarried, about thirty years old, and has inherited the role of housekeeper after the death of her mother. She may wish that Caroline would stay on the farm and help her.

Lothrop is a family name. John Lothrop was a leader of the first Congregationalist church in England during the time when religious dissent was persecuted. He and his congregation were discovered holding a church meeting in Blackfriars on April 29, 1632. He was imprisoned for two years and then freed on the condition that he leave England. He sailed on the ship Griffin to Boston in 1634. Mr. Lothrop was the first regularly settled minister of the First Parish in Scituate, consisting of sixty-three members.  He took charge of it Jan. 18, 1634-5.  He and twenty other heads of families founded Barnstable five years later, Oct. 11, 1639. John Lothrop is Serena’s fourth great-grandfather.

Aunt Roxana Nye’s home seems to be nearby, so she must have moved to Maineville after this time. Maineville is about thirty-five miles from Green Township, too far away to stop by. Roxanna and Joseph Nye have not been found in the 1850 US Census.

Serena says that they were obliged to tie up the carriage after it broke down. Apparently she did not mean that they had to tie up the horse. She must mean that they needed to tie broken parts together, otherwise they would not have reached home without sending for help.

April 24, 1851 - Our house was on fire

Thursday 24th (April)

Went to school as usual also as usual, the girls tormented Mr Bowers. Came home at (?), and returned but as I and Mr (?) met, I was rather late. Nothing special occurred, returned in the evening, and Thomas S[pooner] came up. Our house was on fire however which is one piece of news.

James W. Bowers is the Professor of Penmanship at Serena’s college (Cist 68).

Fires are frequently reported in the Cincinnati newspapers but if Serena’s house was really on fire, the fire was not significant enough to be mentioned. The fire in the clothing store of P. Solomon, reported in the Cincinnati Enquirer, was six or seven blocks from Serena’s home. She may have walked past the site on her way to school.

The Cincinnati Enquirer April 25, 1851

Sunday 20th (April)

In the morning Libby and Mira went up to the Cathedral, Caroline and I went down to Mr Pagington’s with Father, heard a splendid sermon and returned. Libby was quite sick in the afternoon, however Thomas came up which cheered her up. In the afternoon I did not go to class as I had no money to take with me. Thomas S[pooner] and Thomas H[unt] came and staid to tea. After tea we all went to church, heard a poor sermon and returned, retired quite early.

This is Easter Sunday. Jenny Lind attends church today, in black, and is recognized by no one (Ware and Lockard 90). The Cathedral is probably St. Peter’s Cathedral, Roman Catholic, on the southwest corner of Plum and 8^th Streets (Cist 77). Why do Libby and Mira, who are Methodist, visit the Cathedral? Is it possible that they think they might spot Jenny Lind there?

Mr. Pagington’s church is not mentioned in Cist’s Cincinnati in 1851.

Serena mentions that she does not attend her church class because she has no money. This is one of the two times that Serena mentions money. She asked Uncle Henry for two dollars on April 9. Could she be trying to get together enough cash to buy a ticket to hear Jenny Lind? 

A member of Jenny’s troupe wanders about the city today. He observes: “It is apparently a city whose rapid growth has been too quick to allow cleanliness and neatness the chances of expansion. Some sixty years since a few log houses, and a wooden chapel, were all that marked the spot which was so soon after to be the abiding place of a large and wealthy city. Its situation is charming. Almost surrounded with small hills, and placed in the corner of a bend in the stream of the Ohio, it will, when it has partially finished its singularly rapid growth, and can find time for the development of its advantages on the side of comfort, be, I should imagine, one of the finest cities in this portion of the States (Rosenberg 206).”

 

The Cincinnati Enquirer March 25, 1851

April 17, 1851 - How much they were pleased with hearing Jenny sing

Thursday 17th (April)

I went to school, but was disappointed at finding Mr Lippitt sick. However we recited. The day passed off as usual. I went home in the evening and found the folks preparing to go and hear Jenny Lind.  I went down to William L[ewis] with Cousins E[lizabeth] & C[aroline]. I met Thomas H[unt] and he went along spent a very pleasant evening had a pleasant walk home but had to run most of the way. I heard them tell how much they were pleased with hearing Jenny sing.

Who are the folks that are going to hear Jenny Lind tonight? Father and Libby? Why isn’t Serena included? Why doesn’t Thomas Hunt go to hear Jenny Lind? Does this have anything to do with the problems that Libby and Thomas seem to be experiencing? William Lewis, Serena’s cousin, and his wife Virginia Baldwin Lewis must have attended Jenny Lind’s concert on Monday.

 

The Cincinnati Enquirer April 18, 1851

 

 

The Cincinnati Enquirer April 18, 1851

 

 

The Cincinnati Enquirer April 18, 1851

 

April 14, 1851 - The Jenny Lind Concert

 

Monday 14^th (April)

Rather a pleasant morning but as I did not arise very early I did not feel much like going to school. However I went, and recited poorly. Came home in and there was quite an excitement about going to hear Jenny Lind sing. We saw quite a show, Mira and her beau went, and had to climb six steps before they could get into the hack into which they were to ride. They got off finally. Libby felt very bad because she could not go. Cousin E[lizabeth] and Mr B[igger] went down to William Spooner’s, Libby, Caroline and Thomas H[unt] are over to Aunt Chelita [Charlotte]. Father and I are sitting alone at home.

There is excitement about going to hear Jenny Lind sing, but who is going? It seems that Cousin Mira and her beau are the only family members that will attend the concert. Marcellus Hagans does not want his sweetheart to walk on this special occasion. He is just starting out professionally and does not own a carriage, so he hires a hackney coach. He does not realize how difficult it will be for Mira to climb the narrow steps wearing her concert finery with a long skirt and voluminous stiff petticoats. Serena sits comfortably across the street observing Mira’s difficult climb.

Libby is disappointed, but Serena does not seem to mind missing the concert. She does not complain about sitting home alone with her father.

Aunt Charlotte is Charlotte Goforth Lewis, the wife of Serena’s Uncle Samuel.

 

The Cincinnati Enquirer April 15, 1851

“The theatre, on the opening night, was completely filled, and crowds packed the street at the side of the building peering through the windows beside the first circle. Their continual clamor necessitated the police firing several shots into the air in order to disperse them. The vigorous yells and shrieks which followed cause a considerable annoyance (Hansen 117)”.

 

April 9, 1851 - Introducing Catherine and William Spooner

Wednesday 9^th (April)

Quite a pleasant morning, but was obliged to walk to school alone. We had quite an interesting lecture from Rev Dr Simpson, and also from Mr Mathews teacher of some Academy I do not know which. Things went on as usual until noon when I came home to dinner and after dinner went down to the pork house and asked Uncle Henry for 2 dollars but he would not give it to me, so I went to school and in the afternoon stopped, but could not get it so I came home and expected to have a scolding but she had gone downtown, so I escaped it. In the evening I studied my lessons, and then went into Cousin Maria’s, and after a little while came home and Catherine S[pooner] and William S[pooner] came in, Father came home about 9 or 10 oclock in the evening, but was dreadful sick.

Perhaps Mr. Mathews is Charles E. Matthews, A.M., Adjunct Professor of Mathematics and Secretary of the Faculty at the Woodward College and High School (Cist 69). M. Simpson, D.D., is the editor of the Western Christian Advocate, a weekly publication of the Episcopal Methodist Church in Cincinnati (Cist 74).

Catherine S and William S may be Catherine and William Spooner. William Lewis Spooner has a hardware business at 198 Main and lives on the south side of 9^th between Walnut and Vine (Williams’ Cincinnati Directory). He is Serena’s cousin, the son of Reed Spooner and Abigail Lewis. He was born in 1818 and married Catherine Smith in 1840. They have three children living in 1851 – Lemuel Reed Spooner (10), Edmund Dana Spooner (8), and Charles Wiley Spooner (6) (Spooner 151).

 

It is official! Jenny Lind is really coming to sing at the National Theatre in Cincinnati.

 

                                                   The Cincinnati Enquirer April 10, 1851                                                                      

 

April 5, 1851 - Uncle Samuel's family

Saturday 5^th (April)

Arose rather early but did not get done the work until very late. In the afternoon Aunt R[oxana] and Jimmy [Wilson] came in town and such talk as I have heard before, but am ashamed to tell it. They went home we dressed ourselves, I studied my lessons, and after tea Mr B[igger] and Mr H[unt] called. C[aroline] and I went to bed but I do not know what time the others came up to bed. In the afternoon however, Mira’s beau came and spent the evening with her.

Serena’s aunt Roxana is the younger sister of Serena’s father, Albert.  Roxana's first husband, Timothy H. Wilson, died in 1835. Jimmy is their son, James Wilson, who was born October 12, 1832. Roxana’s second husband is Joseph T. Nye. The 1860 Federal Census shows them living in Maineville, Ohio. We wish that Serena would have been less ashamed of the talk and had told us about it.

Mira is Almira Lewis, the daughter of Uncle Samuel Lewis and Aunt Charlotte Goforth Lewis. Mira was born October 3, 1831 (Cook 962). Uncle Samuel and Aunt Charlotte live on the east side of Broadway, between Woodward and Liberty (1850-51 Williams' Cincinnati Directory). Their home is across the street from Serena’s home. This allows Serena a good viewpoint for cousin-watching.

The 1850 U.S. census lists the value of Samuel’s real estate at $60,000. Samuel Lewis is one of the five brothers of Albert Lewis. Another brother, Henry Lewis, lives nearby, on northeast corner of Main and Webster (1850-51 Williams' Cincinnati Directory).  His real estate is valued at $70,000. This home may be the “old Woodward mansion” inherited from the uncle of Henry’s wife Abigail (Old Woodward 12).These homes would be valued at over $1,500,000 in 2010 dollars. They are relatively fine homes, but by no means the finest. The real estate of Nicholas Longworth, former law partner of Samuel Lewis, is valued at $2,000,000 in 1851 dollars. Charles Cist reported that, in 1851, 5360 individuals own the houses that they occupy (Cist 73). Many of the real estate values shown in the 1850 Federal Census are less than $5000, or $147,000 in 2010 dollars. Samuel and Charlotte also own a farm in Green Township, Hamilton County, Ohio.

The 1850 Census shows that Samuel and Charlotte’s household included their 24-year-old son William, Professor of Languages, and Samuel Lewis, age 5, probably their grandson. Little Samuel may be the son of Rev. Joseph Lewis, eldest son of Samuel and Charlotte, who died of consumption (tuberculosis) on November 3, 1850.  Little Samuel’s mother, Martha J. Keeley Lewis, died in 1846 (Cook 962). The spacious home was also shared with Jeremiah Goforth, age 50, and Virginia Goforth, age 82. They may be Charlotte’s brother and mother. Finally, Mina Potter, age 22, born in Germany and probably a servant, lives with them. Samuel and Charlotte’s daughter, Almira (Mira), was not at home when the census was taken. She may have been living at school. The 1850 US Census lists an 18-year-old Almira Lewis, born in Ohio, attending the Pettyman Collegiate Institute for Young Ladies in Wilmington, Delaware. Charlotte’s sister, Jemima, lived in the Lewis household for many years (Petit 161). Uncle Samuel and Aunt Charlotte have buried four of their six children: Baby Martha died in 1826, little Samuel died at the age of four in 1845, Elizabeth died of consumption at the age of 19 in 1847, and the Rev. Joseph Lewis died in 1850 (Cook).

March 29, 1851 The Girls Filled His Hat with Flowers

Saturday 29^th (March)

This was a beautiful morning, but I arose rather late, did my work, and then went down to school where was such a sight as I have not seen for some time. Mr Gough was there with about 100 girls around him. He wrote in all, and those he did not write in he signed his name and dated after Mr L had written in them. The girls played and sang for him, filled his hat with flowers, shook hands with him and I do not know what all they did not do. We staid there until nearly two and then came home but found no dinner. After I came home I answered a letter washed myself and dressed. In the evening father and Libby went down also Cousin Elizabeth went with Mr Bigger leaving Caroline and me home alone. The first part of the evening I sat on the front steps, then came in and studied my lessons, and now while Caroline writes her journal I shall …?.. awaiting the arrival of the absent ones.

Serena gives an interesting description of the celebrity, Mr. Gough, surrounded by his admirers. She appears to be slightly critical of the adoration. John B. Gough published his autobiography a few years ago, in 1848. It is a small book, measuring 4 inches by 6 ½ inches, the perfect size to be tucked next to a young girl’s heart. The girls may be asking Mr. Gough to sign their copies of this book. Mr. L. is probably Edward Lippett, the Professor of Mathematics and Natural Sciences.

Serena goes to her bedroom to wash herself and dress for the evening. She probably has a wash stand in her bedroom. The wash stand is a low cabinet with a marble top holding a pitcher of fresh water and a large basin. A china soap dish is decorated to match the pitcher and basin. A slop jar is hidden behind cabinet doors in the base. This is used to dispose of used water from the basin. The servant is responsible for filling the pitcher and emptying the slop jar outdoors.

Serena’s home probably does not have running water. It may possibly have a bathroom with an ornate tub that would be filled by the servant carrying buckets of hot water. Less affluent families may bathe in a large tub moved into the kitchen. Catherine Beecher includes several floor plans in her 1841 Treatise on Domestic Economy. None of these floor plans includes a bath room. She recommends accommodations at the rear of the home to include a bathing-room and laundry tub conveniently placed near the pump, reservoir or cistern, and boiler or furnace. Privies and a large wood pile would be nearby and sheltered from the elements (Beecher 274-294).

The family may have one of the new water closets or earth closets to function as a toilet inside the house, or they may use chamber pots or commodes in their bedrooms for toilets.  Chamber pots are large porcelain pots, with lids, discretely kept under the beds. Commodes are large, stately chairs with a seat that can be lifted to reveal a large pot (Seymour 302-303). Again it is the responsibility of the servant to empty these pots into the privy in the back yard.

 

Daily Cincinnati Gazette, July 29, 1851

The Cincinnati Enquirer March 30, 1851

 

Rumors about the “Swedish Nightingale” Jenny Lind are beginning to circulate. P. T. Barnum, the promoter, has brought her to America and is making arrangements for her concert tour. It is unlikely that anyone in Cincinnati has heard her sing because that would have required travel to Europe or to one of her earlier American concerts. Sound recordings, moving pictures, radio, and television will not be invented for many years. Mr. Barnum will succeed in whipping up mass hysteria among people who may have never attended a concert before.

Johanna Maria Lind