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.