March 31 thru April 1, 1894

I will not be transcribing each entry since most of Bert's diary is pretty clear. You can read the original more easily by clicking on the image above to view a larger version. I will be including this paragraph, or something similar in each entry so that new readers will know they can click the image to enlarge it for easier reading. Also, there will be some links to the right of the page with relevant information that may be of interest. If you follow Bert's diary regularly, you can skip this paragraph. My notes will include the basics of what Bert talks about each day, along with my own personal thoughts, research, information gleaned from past or future entries, etc. If you have information or suggestions that may help my research, please e-mail me.

Saturday March 31, 1894 - Leman and Bert do the morning chores while Olivia and Pa make breakfast. John, Leman and Bert go over to Italy with the horses and sleighs and load up some hay. John and Leman take the hay home, and Bert goes over to Herman's. Bert ate dinner there, and helped saw some firewood. Winnie went down to Italy to swap horses, and Bert stayed the night at Herman's.

Sunday, April 1, 1894 - Bert comments that it is April Fool's Day, and that he did not get fooled all day! Bert stayed at Herman's all day, but went over to Milo Dye's around 4PM. Bert says he went to "hayness" for a while in the evening. Maybe Haynes's place? Not sure who that is?

Bert comments that he lent Herman $50.

Not sure what the little drawings of cubes are about?

March 29 thru 30, 1894

I will not be transcribing each entry since most of Bert's diary is pretty clear. You can read the original more easily by clicking on the image above to view a larger version. I will be including this paragraph, or something similar in each entry so that new readers will know they can click the image to enlarge it for easier reading. Also, there will be some links to the right of the page with relevant information that may be of interest. If you follow Bert's diary regularly, you can skip this paragraph. My notes will include the basics of what Bert talks about each day, along with my own personal thoughts, research, information gleaned from past or future entries, etc. If you have information or suggestions that may help my research, please e-mail me.

Thursday - They move more stuff to the new place today, and spend the night there for the first time. Bert loads up some more "truck", and then leads Fanny over to the new place. I assume this is one of their horses, but no idea why he would not have ridden her over? Pa (John Babcock), "Pie Face", and Leman moved more stuff over to the new place, and Horton "fetched Olivia and some other truck." I have no idea who "Pie Face" is? Or who Horton is?

Friday - Another of Bert's great phrases - "the wind was in the south this morning and it blew lather to shave" (I'm thinking maybe referring to blowing hard enough to blow everything away - like shaving your beard?) He and Leman did the chores as always, and then went to Italy (nearby community) to get some hay. They stop in Jerusalem (another small community in the area) on the way home. I have no idea what he means about it being his "last night in Jerusalem"?

March 27 thru 28, 1894

I will not be transcribing each entry since most of Bert's diary is pretty clear. You can read the original more easily by clicking on the image above to view a larger version. I will be including this paragraph, or something similar in each entry so that new readers will know they can click the image to enlarge it for easier reading. Also, there will be some links to the right of the page with relevant information that may be of interest. If you follow Bert's diary regularly, you can skip this paragraph. My notes will include the basics of what Bert talks about each day, along with my own personal thoughts, research, information gleaned from past or future entries, etc. If you have information or suggestions that may help my research, please e-mail me.

It is still pretty cold for the end of March - 10 degrees. Chores as usual, and then Bert and Leman load up a load of "truck" to take over to the new place. "Truck" was a word for miscellaneous stuff that today we might need a truck to haul? Leman drove the horse and sleigh with the "truck", and Bert walked over leading two of their horses - Kit and Stub. At night Bert and his father went to visit Herman, and Leman and Olivia went over to the McConnels to "eat sugar". This time of the year is Maple sugaring time, so a gathering to enjoy the results would be in order!

On Wednesday, they did the chores of course, and then loaded up two loads of "truck" which John and Leman drove over to the new place (by horse and sleigh of course). Winnie Fisher and Bert drove the cattle over to the new place - sort of a mini cattle drive, and Herman drove the flock of sheep. The animals would have been sort of the last thing to move to the new farm. Keeping two places going must have been quite a task?

March 25 thru 26, 1894

I will not be transcribing each entry since most of Bert's diary is pretty clear. You can read the original more easily by clicking on the image above to view a larger version. I will be including this paragraph, or something similar in each entry so that new readers will know they can click the image to enlarge it for easier reading. Also, there will be some links to the right of the page with relevant information that may be of interest. If you follow Bert's diary regularly, you can skip this paragraph. My notes will include the basics of what Bert talks about each day, along with my own personal thoughts, research, information gleaned from past or future entries, etc. If you have information or suggestions that may help my research, please e-mail me.

A couple of pretty quiet days. Still cold and windy. Bert goes over to Russel Dye's (brother of my great grandmother on my father's side of the family) He spends the day and stays for dinner and then comes home.

The next day is a bit warmer. Bert does chores on the farm as usual, and Winnie Fisher takes a load of furniture over to John's new farm.

March 23 thru 24, 1894

I will not be transcribing each entry since most of Bert's diary is pretty clear. You can read the original more easily by clicking on the image above to view a larger version. I will be including this paragraph, or something similar in each entry so that new readers will know they can click the image to enlarge it for easier reading. Also, there will be some links to the right of the page with relevant information that may be of interest. If you follow Bert's diary regularly, you can skip this paragraph. My notes will include the basics of what Bert talks about each day, along with my own personal thoughts, research, information gleaned from past or future entries, etc. If you have information or suggestions that may help my research, please e-mail me.

My first new posting in a long time. My apologies. Life just seems to move on and things recede further into the undone pile. I hope I can keep up with making regular entries?

I love Bert's cool turn of phrase ability. This one - "the wind blew holy Moses". He makes the usual entry about chores, and the big move goes on. He and brother Leman continue moving things from the old place to John's (Bert's father) new farm. Given the use of horse and sleigh, and bitter cold weather, it takes a while!

Saturday comes up at 6 below zero, but evidently not so windy? More chores of course, and two loads of wood (probably firewood) taken to the new farm. He and Leman get back home around 4 o'clock, and have to make their own dinner.

Bert comments in a separate entry that "five years ago tonight I left home for my self" Bert often comments about some of the loneliness of his life. It appears that his father pretty much told him it was time to go when he was old enough and he could no longer live at home. There is lots of daily family contact, but Bert lives on his own, and seems quite conscious of his "separateness"

March 21 thru 22, 1894

I will not be transcribing each entry since most of Bert's diary is pretty clear. You can read the original more easily by clicking on the image above to view a larger version. I will be including this paragraph, or something similar in each entry so that new readers will know they can click the image to enlarge it for easier reading. Also, there will be some links to the right of the page with relevant information that may be of interest. If you follow Bert's diary regularly, you can skip this paragraph. My notes will include the basics of what Bert talks about each day, along with my own personal thoughts, research, information gleaned from past or future entries, etc. If you have information or suggestions that may help my research, please e-mail me.
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Wednesday, March 21, 1894 --- It rained and thundered and lightened and they finished drawing hay bales to Prattsburgh.

Thursday, March 22, 1894 --- More rain, and John Babcock went to Penn Yan to see L. Corey. (not sure who this is - related to Charles Corey whom I bought the farm from.) Bert and Leman moved some more stuff to the new farm in the rain.

March 19 thru 20, 1894

I will not be transcribing each entry since most of Bert's diary is pretty clear. You can read the original more easily by clicking on the image above to view a larger version. I will be including this paragraph, or something similar in each entry so that new readers will know they can click the image to enlarge it for easier reading. Also, there will be some links to the right of the page with relevant information that may be of interest. If you follow Bert's diary regularly, you can skip this paragraph. My notes will include the basics of what Bert talks about each day, along with my own personal thoughts, research, information gleaned from past or future entries, etc. If you have information or suggestions that may help my research, please e-mail me.

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Monday, March 19, 1894 --- "Mud, mud, mud, mud, warm and muddy" Leman and Bert did the chores, and then loaded up two loads of hay to take to Prattsburgh - probably for John? Leman got "hung up in the mud three times" but Bert managed to not get stuck. It took 4 hours to get to Prattsburgh because of the mud. They got home around 4 PM, and had dinner. After dinner they loaded up two more loads of hay to take to Prattsburgh the next day. Bert then took Herman's mail over to his place.

Tuesday, March 20, 1894 --- They did the chores for John, and then they took more hay to Prattsburgh. They each took 12 bales in the morning and 12 more in the afternoon. Still lots of mud, but it seems to have gone better?

March 17 thru 18, 1894

I will not be transcribing each entry since most of Bert's diary is pretty clear. You can read the original more easily by clicking on the image above to view a larger version. I will be including this paragraph, or something similar in each entry so that new readers will know they can click the image to enlarge it for easier reading. Also, there will be some links to the right of the page with relevant information that may be of interest.  If you follow Bert's diary regularly, you can skip this paragraph. My notes will include the basics of what Bert talks about each day, along with my own personal thoughts, research, information gleaned from past or future entries, etc. If you have information or suggestions that may help my research, please e-mail me.
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Saturday, March 17, 1894 --- Bert saw the first woodchuck of the spring today.  Bert helped do the chores, and then Leman and Bert took two more loads of hay to Prattsburgh.  Bert bought a "spongue" to wash his buggy with.
Sunday, March 18, 1894 --- Bert saw two butterflies and another woodchuck today.  Bert seems to notice wildlife.  Bert went up to Russell Dye's place and got two dollars and 25 cents.   Then Bert went up to Eugene's for a while to visit, and then went over to Herman's and paid Glenn his interest (on a loan?) of 30 cents.  Bert then went over to J.G.McConnell's sap bush (maple syrup making)  Bert stayed with Mr. Borden for a while and then came home (to John Babcock's?)   "I am twenty seven today and I have had to find my owne (sic) home for the past six years"  (Don's note --- I've been wondering where Bert actually lived.  He seems to stay at a number of places but does not seem to have a definite home?? - He stays overnight sometimes with his father - John Babcock, but also stays at his brother Herman's place, and often with Russell Dye or with Milo Dye.)

March 15 thru 16, 1894

I will not be transcribing each entry since most of Bert's diary is pretty clear. You can read the original more easily by clicking on the image above to view a larger version. I will be including this paragraph, or something similar in each entry so that new readers will know they can click the image to enlarge it for easier reading. Also, there will be some links to the right of the page with relevant information that may be of interest.  If you follow Bert's diary regularly, you can skip this paragraph. My notes will include the basics of what Bert talks about each day, along with my own personal thoughts, research, information gleaned from past or future entries, etc. If you have information or suggestions that may help my research, please e-mail me.
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Thursday, March 15, 1894 ---  They drew 8 loads of hay - probably drawing hay from stacks out in the fields into the barn on the new place?  They did not get home until 10PM!
Friday, March 16, 1894 ---  "The wind is in the south, and it blew right stout".   Bert helped John load some hay and he drove it to Prattsburgh.  Leman went down to "debs" (?) to get the horses shod, but he was not home.  Leman came back and they loaded up another load of hay and took it to Prattsburgh.  Bert cleaned snow off another hay stack, and then stayed in the house a while before doing the evening chores.  Leman drew some hay to feed the horses.

March 13 thru 14, 1894

I will not be transcribing each entry since most of Bert's diary is pretty clear. You can read the original more easily by clicking on the image above to view a larger version. I will be including this paragraph, or something similar in each entry so that new readers will know they can click the image to enlarge it for easier reading. Also, there will be some links to the right of the page with relevant information that may be of interest.  If you follow Bert's diary regularly, you can skip this paragraph. My notes will include the basics of what Bert talks about each day, along with my own personal thoughts, research, information gleaned from past or future entries, etc. If you have information or suggestions that may help my research, please e-mail me.
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Tuesday, March 13, 1894 --- Bert took a load of potatoes over the the new farm for John after doing the chores.  Leman took a load of sleighs over to the new place.  Leman went down to Charley Corey's place and spent the night.  Bert "fed his face" and then went to  visit J. G. McConnell.  He went home with Herman and spent the night there.  

Wednesday, March 14, 1894 ---  Herman and Winnie Fisher, and Bert went over to Jerusalem, to get some hay for John.  Bert got 5 loads, and Herman and Winnie got 4 loads.  They all then went to Charley Corey's for the night.  (They worked hard!  Jerusalem is over near Keuka Lake - This is about a 15 mile trip - 5 loads = close to 150 miles?)

March 11 thru 12, 1894

I will not be transcribing each entry since most of Bert's diary is pretty clear. You can read the original more easily by clicking on the image above to view a larger version. I will be including this paragraph, or something similar in each entry so that new readers will know they can click the image to enlarge it for easier reading. Also, there will be some links to the right of the page with relevant information that may be of interest.  If you follow Bert's diary regularly, you can skip this paragraph. My notes will include the basics of what Bert talks about each day, along with my own personal thoughts, research, information gleaned from past or future entries, etc. If you have information or suggestions that may help my research, please e-mail me.
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Sunday, March 11, 1894 -- Bert declares it a nice day after starting out cloudy.  Bert helped do the chores at John Babcock's, and then went over to Russell Dye's to shave and change his shirt and drawers.  He then went up to E. Hayner's for dinner, and then he went over to Herman's.  Bert then "came down home" - still not sure if this is John Babcock's, or Russell Dye's??
Monday, March 12, 1894 --- A nice day again.  Bert does the chores, and then Leman and Bert put up two more loads of oats and took them over to the new place. 

March 9 thru 10, 1894

 

I will not be transcribing each entry since most of Bert's diary is pretty clear. You can read the original more easily by clicking on the image above to view a larger version. I will be including this paragraph, or something similar in each entry so that new readers will know they can click the image to enlarge it for easier reading. Also, there will be some links to the right of the page with relevant information that may be of interest.  If you follow Bert's diary regularly, you can skip this paragraph. My notes will include the basics of what Bert talks about each day, along with my own personal thoughts, research, information gleaned from past or future entries, etc. If you have information or suggestions that may help my research, please e-mail me.
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Friday. March 9, 1894 ---  Leman and Bert do the chores at John Babcock's this morning and they then put up two loads of oats to take over to the new farm.  A little rain today.  Bert notes seeing the first robin and chipmunk of the spring season!  
Saturday, March 10, 1894 --- A cold morning, but another full day of spring thaw.  Herman took a load of potatoes over to the new farm, and Bert and Leman each took another load of oats.  "the mud began to dry up today".  I'm not sure what the cross drawing is about, or even if it is intended as a cross? 

March 7 thru 8, 1894

 

I will not be transcribing each entry since most of Bert's diary is pretty clear. You can read the original more easily by clicking on the image above to view a larger version. I will be including this paragraph, or something similar in each entry so that new readers will know they can click the image to enlarge it for easier reading. Also, there will be some links to the right of the page with relevant information that may be of interest.  If you follow Bert's diary regularly, you can skip this paragraph. My notes will include the basics of what Bert talks about each day, along with my own personal thoughts, research, information gleaned from past or future entries, etc. If you have information or suggestions that may help my research, please e-mail me.
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Wednesday, March 7, 1894 --- Bert, along with John and Leman, cleaned the hog pen.  Then Leman went over to Charles Corey's to see him about drawing hay and to see how the roads are. (Spring time and all the thawing means muddy roads) Pa and Bert go to Naples to do some trading.  Bert got a pair of pants, and a pair of mittons (sic).  "it thawed all day"
Thursday, March 8, 1894 --- Below freezing in the morning, but it thawed all day.  Bert saw the first bluebird of the season.  Bert did the morning chores at Russell's, and then Leman and Bert went over to John Babcock's new place with 2 loads of oats.  They ate a can of beef.... probably home canned. 

March 5 thru 6, 1894

 

I will not be transcribing each entry since most of Bert's diary is pretty clear. You can read the original more easily by clicking on the image above to view a larger version. I will be including this paragraph, or something similar in each entry so that new readers will know they can click the image to enlarge it for easier reading. Also, there will be some links to the right of the page with relevant information that may be of interest.  If you follow Bert's diary regularly, you can skip this paragraph. My notes will include the basics of what Bert talks about each day, along with my own personal thoughts, research, information gleaned from past or future entries, etc. If you have information or suggestions that may help my research, please e-mail me.
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Monday. March 5, 1894 ---  a little cloudy with some rain.  Bert does the morning chores at Russells, and went over to brother Herman's place.  Then they went "down home" to see them press hay.  Bert "fed 10 bales" and then went over to Russell Dye's and then went back to Herman's for the night.  Russell Dye has returned from his trip. (not sure what type of hay press this might have been, but the first patent for a hay press was in 1880, so this is a real innovation for the time)

Tuesday March 6, 1894 --- Bert got up at 7AM at Herman's and had breakfast, and sat around awhile.  He then went over to Russell Dye's and had dinner, and helped "Zette.  He then went back to Herman's place and got  pa's lantern and then came down home to stay a while.  (sort of a "lazy" day --- I'm still not at all sure where Bert  home is? - probably not Herman's or Milo Dye's, but whether he considers Russell Dye's place, or his father's place home, I have no idea?)

March 3 thru 4, 1894

 

I will not be transcribing each entry since most of Bert's diary is pretty clear. You can read the original more easily by clicking on the image above to view a larger version. I will be including this paragraph, or something similar in each entry so that new readers will know they can click the image to enlarge it for easier reading. Also, there will be some links to the right of the page with relevant information that may be of interest.  If you follow Bert's diary regularly, you can skip this paragraph. My notes will include the basics of what Bert talks about each day, along with my own personal thoughts, research, information gleaned from past or future entries, etc. If you have information or suggestions that may help my research, please e-mail me.
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Saturday, March 3, 1894 --- Below freezing overnight, but "the sun came up bright and warm and it thawed all day." Bert stayed overnight at Milo Dye's, and went up the hill to Russell Dye's place to do the chores.  He then hitched up, and went back down to Milo Dye's and loaded up Mr. Dye's sow (female pig) and took the sow to F. L. Tyler's (not sure of initials?) to "git some pigs planted" ( I assume this refers to having the sow bred with Mr. Tyler's boar - babies on the way!)  Bert ate his dinner at Milo Dye's and then went up the hill to do the chores.  He then came back to Milo Dye's for the night.  "Freezing a little tonight" (Don's note - perfect weather for the flowing of Maple sap - spring is on the way!)  Bert finishes the day with a crude sketch of a couple of pigs!


Sunday, March 4, 1894 ---  Bert does the morning chores at Russell Dye's, and then hitched up and went down home and got some of his clothes.  He stopped by brother Herman's on the way back to Russell Dye's.  He "built up a fire and cooked 9 eggs and baked some pancakes for dinner".  He then went up to E. Hayner's for a while before doing the chores.  Bert spent the night at Milo Dye's.  He comments that it thawed all day - more Maple Syrup weather.

March 1 thru 2, 1894

 

I will not be transcribing each entry since most of Bert's diary is pretty clear. You can read the original more easily by clicking on the image above to view a larger version. I will be including this paragraph, or something similar in each entry so that new readers will know they can click the image to enlarge it for easier reading. Also, there will be some links to the right of the page with relevant information that may be of interest.  If you follow Bert's diary regularly, you can skip this paragraph. My notes will include the basics of what Bert talks about each day, along with my own personal thoughts, research, information gleaned from past or future entries, etc. If you have information or suggestions that may help my research, please e-mail me.
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Thursday, March 1, 1894 ---  it thawed all last night and the sun came up bright this morning and it thawed like fun all day.  Bert got up at 5AM, and went up the hill and "done my chores".  ( Not sure which place these chores were at? Probably Russell Dye's)  He then went over to Atlanta and got 5 barrels of salt for Russell Dye.  (8 years ago, Henry C. Olney was referring to modern day Atlanta as "Bloods".  Bert now calls it Atlanta?)   Bert dropped off two barrels of the salt at S. C. Avery's, and took the other three on to Russell Dye's place.  He then went back and got the two barrels and brought them on the rest of the way.  (No idea why --- possibly the five barrels were too heavy for a hill?)  He then did the chores - evidently at Russell Dye's?, and then went to spend the night at Milo Dye's place.  "and it thaws yet" 

Friday, March 2, 1894 ---  the sun came up bright, but it clouded up and snowed a little.  It thawed all day.  Bert trimmed some chestnut logs and hauled a load of wood for Milo Dye.  Bert then went "up on the hill" and did the chores, and then returned to Milo Dye's for the night.