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.