Julia Ann Craddock Brumfield (1844 to 1938). Renan, Pittsylvania County, Virginia. January 2 to February 20, 1918. Transcribed by Legible as an unedited test run. Page photographs by Ben W. Brumfield via FromThePage. The diary is in the public domain.
People and places mentioned: Ben, Josie, Marvin, Charles, Smith, Owen, Harvey, Kate, Mayhew, Reynolds, Strait, Carrie, Edmons, Edna, Henny, Renan, Virginia, Blains, Brumfield, George, Gilbert, Gretna, Irvin, Jim, Paul, Craddock, Hutcherson, John, Lottie, Altavista, Bennett, Blair, Braunfield, Chesley, Curries, Effie, Ewer, Frank, Hellen, Henry, Lee, Mays, Roy, Walter, William.
A colde snowy day
has snowed nearly all day
we all set around the
fire most of the day I
milked and churned and
fed the chickens Josie got
dinner she cooked some
Beans the Edmons tried
to have a dance to night
it is so bad I dont
expect that they could get
a crowed Ben & Josie
has gone down there they
walked I feel uneasy about
them I will until they
come back
Franklin has waked up
and I will be glad when
they get back
10 30 oclock
A clear colde day
Ben & Josie come Home a
while after 1 oclock this
morning they said that they
had a fine time at Mr [Edmons]
Ben went to [Renan] & to see
Charles this morning Charles is
feeling some better now
Hellen & [Braunfield] & Virginia
Harvey come to day they are
here now. I got Breakfast
& milked the cows. ~
Josie got dinner. I sewed
some made me three Boddies
I have finished 2 little waist's
for [Cousins] Children. I worked
the Button Holes & Sewed on the
Buttons to night
9 30 oclock
A clear colde day
Ben moved the stove from
the barn to the cabin
in the woods and cut
wood fixin for a dance
Josie baked some cakes
I killed and cooked two
chickens Josie made
sandwiches and carried
up there Hellen & Virginia
has bein here all day
Elsie and Bulah
come in here Elsie gave
me some candy & Bulah
gave oranges Virginia gave
me a box of candy
I hope they may enjoy the
dance I had rather they
had not had it but nothing else
would not do I am afraid
that there is so many there
that they cant have a good
time I am so sleepy that I
hardly can write
11 30 oclock
A clear day & colde
Ben & Josie and Hellen & Virginia
Come to the House Half passed
two oclock this morning
we have bin a drowsy
crowd to day. Ben went
to the mill this morning
this evening he moved the
Store and all the things that
they had at the [Caleleen] back
where they belong
Josie got dinner she Baked a
Pudding that we all enjoyed
to night Ben & Hellen
and Virginia has gone to
Mr Mayhews to a party
Josie and the Children
are all a sleep
9 oclock
A cloudy day rained
some & sleeted the ground is still
covered with snow Virginia
staid all night here last
night this morning Jack & Irvin
come a little while Virginia
went with them home
I went to Marvins & Kate
Irvin come there we all eat
dinner there Ben & Josie
and the children staid at
home all day Carrie had
custand at dinner & Josie
had ice cream we had some
to night at supper I did
enjoy it Kate brough me
a ball of yarn I want to
knit a pair of wristlets
for Charles Harvey as soon as
I get the kneedles to knit on
8 30 oclock
A cloudy day & some warmer
to night the wind is blowing
Ben went to Strait Stone
Marvin went to see Charles
he is some better off a gain
Josie has bin sick all day
I got dinner to day
and sewed a little
Mrs Smith sent the Drugget
Home to day by Irvin Handy
and Robert Reynolds
I got a letter from Lottie
Chaddock to day
7 30 oclock
A clear day Ben cut
wood in the woods to day
Josie has had the tooth
ache all day
I washed a little &
got dinner
Willie Mayhew come
here to night him and
Ben went to John
Hutchersons to play cards
Snow is still on the
ground and it looks
to night like it might
snow before day
I certainly do hope it
wont we have not got
much wood at the wood
pile I cut out an
apron to night and then
I was too lazy to make
it 9 15 oclock
A fairly good day
Ben Hauled wood most of the
day worked at some thing all
day. Josie is feeling some
better to day she sewed some
I got dinner Josie got Supper
the first day that we have
had three meals this year
I went to Marvins this
evening Kate Harvey was there
making Carrie a dress
I commenced to knit a pair
of wristlets for [Charley] Harvey
I have bin at work on
an apron to night I intend to
give it to one of Hattie [Gilberts]
Children 9. 30 oclock
A clear day
Ben sawed wood & cut
feed to day Marvin Smith
& William Gilbert helped
him this evening he
went to see Charles and
went to Renan
Josie got dinner and
supper to day she cut
some quilt peices
I sewed some
9 30
Henny is not well tonight
A Bad day it Snowed the
most of the day and to night
it is raining Ben helped
Marvin Strip Tobacco this evening
I got dinner Baked Cracklin
Corn Bread
Josie peiced on her quilt. I
finished two aprons that I
had comenced.
I wrote a letter to [Lucy]
Pugh to night
[Kenny] has bin complaining
all day they are all a
bed & Sleep I guess
8 oclock
A clear colde day
we had a storm last night
it thundered and rained
and the wind blowed very
hard Ben mended his
fine place this morning
then went to renan
he helped Marvin strip
tobacco this evening to night
he has gone to Strait Store
to the lodge
I got Breakfast this
morning Ben milked
Josie got dinner & washed
dishes fed the chickens
& calves I have not tried
to do any thing out doors
to day I was afraid I might
fall I got a nice letter
from Effie to day
8 30 oclock
A clear colde very cold
we have all Staid at Home
Ben milke for me to day
I fed the Chickes
and got dinner
I have wrote two letters
to night one to Effie Braunfield
one to Lottie Craddock
10 oclock
A cloudy morning and little
snow Ben went to renan
come home by dinner
worked some this evening
tonight he went to John
Hutehersons
Josie got dinner & sewed
some on her quilt I made
a pair of little pants then
went to Marvins worked
the button holes up there
Ann Hutcherson was there
he said that his folks
was hauling guano
I talked with Mollie Reynolds
this morning she tolde me
that Mr George Reynolds
was dead died last night
9 45 oclock
A colde windy day it rained
and we had a heavy sleet
this morning. I got Breakfast
Ben went with Marvin Smith
to Strait Stone
Josie got dinner. and Ironed
some then Cut out a dress
for me
I Sewed some on my dress
Franklin has bin sick to day
hope that he may get well soon
9 oclock
Warmer & cloudy
Ben cut tier poles for a
Barn this morning this evening
he went to Renan
Josie got dinner Josie & Edna
went to Marvins this evening
I staid with the baby &
Henny I finished makeing
me a dress the first one that
I have made in several years
heard this evening that
Ernest & Lottie Chaddock was
at George Blains last night
Franklin is bad off with
cold yet hope he will soon
be well a gain
9 40 oclock
A clear day & warmer
Ben went to a Sale at
Walter Murphy's on George
Blairs land Marvin Smith
went to the Mill at White
falls.
I got dinner to day killed
a Chicken
Josie sewed on her quilt
finished one ready to quilt
I made an apron this
evenin Ben Franklin is
feelin some better to night
Edna is Complaining to night
hope she will soon be well
a gain
9 45 oclock
A good day but it is
snowing to night Ben &
Tom & Chisley Edmons helped
Ben cut a set of Barn
logs to day they both eat
dinner with Ben we were glad
to have them here to night
Ben has gone to Jims Tower
to a dance Josie was sick
this morning but is feeling some
Bether Tonight
I got most of the dinner
I sowed some this evening
& then went to Marvins
Josie sewed on her quilt this
evening Lee Brumfield passed here
and stopped a while he was haulin
a load of wood for the Teachers
they are going to try and keep house
at Kate Hardeys I am sorry
for the girls 9 30 oclock
A clear colde day
Ben got Home this morning
at 5 oclock from Jim Powers
said he had a good time
Josie got dinner to day. and
Sewed on her quilt some
I got Breakfast & milked
the Cows. and Set by the
fire nearly all day I Sewed
a little finished a under waist
for Edna to night
10 30 oclock
Snowed this morning but
it is clear tonight
we all staid at home
to day did not eat but
twise
Kate & Irvin Harvey come
a little while I was so
glad that they come they did
not stay half long enough
the Teachers commenced
to Board them selves today
at Kates Virginia was
sick to day I hope she
may soon be well a gain
Dodson Bartis come a little
while to day
9 oclock
A clear colde day
Ben walked to Renan this
morning and got oil & Coffee
Marvin loaded his waggon
to go to Gretna tomorrow
if nothing happens to hinder
I heard this evening that
Anna Craddock was dead
& will be burried Tomorow
I wish that the weather
were so that I could go
up There
Josie got dinner to day
I made me a bonnett
I got a fall this evening
the first time I have since
the Snow
9 oclock
Snowed a gain to day it
snowed until a bout twelve
oclock it is clear to night
Ben has bein at home all day
he worked on a ground
slide some Marvin did not
go to Gretna to day he come
down and made pathes for
us Josie got dinner
& brought water to night
and fed the calves
Ben milked for me this
morning Ben made the fire
in the stove this morning
the first time this year
I got Breakfast & washed
Dishes at Breakfast &
Dinner Certainly have
enjoyed sitting by the fire
the most of the time this
winter I have made a pair
of gloves two night caps and
peiced the top of a pillow to
day 10 oclock
A clear Colde day Ben
Hauled in a Shock of Corn
this morning he is very much
Complaining to night
Josie sewed on her quilt
some today
I got dinner & washed
the dishes. I went to Marvins
a little while this evening
Marvin went to Gretna
to day got Home before
dark was well pleased
with the Sale of his
Tobacco. it was and awful
Bad day to go any where
9 oclock
A colde day partly cloudy
Ben has bein sick all day
do hope that he will
be better by morning
Henny is sick to night
I have done the cookin
to day Josie had to stay
with Ben
Denia and Sallie Blair
come this evening
Marvin Smith come to see
Ben to day
Henny & Edna got in
the wood to day Josie
fed the stock this morning
I feel to night
9 oclock
A clear day & some warmer
Ben has bin in the House all
day. he is some better off
to day. Henny is Sick tonight
I got Breakfast and dinner
Josie got Supper would not
have got any but Mr Walter
Can Come
Josie Ironed some Josie fed the
Horses & Hogs I feed the Cows
William Gilbert Come this morning
and Split some wood for us
Marwin and John Smith
went to Altavista to day
Mollie Reynolds Come to Carrie's
to day. I got the Yarn to
knit for Bruce Sheppard
Sent it to day
9 35 oclock
A cloudy day raining
to night
Ben is feeling some bete
he was at George Blains
to day said that Denia Blair
was cookin a turkey for dinner
to morow Mr Ewer is here
yet Jim Brumfield come
to see us this evening the
Walker land was solde today
Josie ironed some today
I washed a little this
morning and got dinner
Jim & Mr Ewer and Ben
& Josie are playing cards
to night
I got a letter from
Lucy Pugh to day
10 30 oclock
Heard to day that Mr Allen
fell in the pit at the barn
and hurt him self very [bad]
A bad day rained some and
turned Colde Ben & Jim went
to see Charles this evenin he is
mighty feeble yet. they Come
by Kates & Marvins
Mr Ewer is here yet
Josie and I got dinner
did not get any Supper
Heard to day that all of the
Dews has Small Pox
I am Sorry for them
Henny is very sick to night
I do Hope that he may be
better by Morning
9 30 oclock
Rain and hail this morning
the ground is so slick I am
afraid to go out doors
I milked and that is all
that I have done out of doors
Josie got dinner & supper
Ben has bein in doors
most of the day
Henny is sick yet I hope
he is some better than he
was last night
Jim Brumfield and Walter
Carr went from here this
morning I certainly did
hate for them to go in
such weather
I have bin knitting on
a Helmet for Boyce
Reynolds hope I can
finish it Tommorow
10 oclock
A Bad day. Snow melting
walkin very Bad
Ben went to see Dr [Swin]
this morning. got Medicine
for Henny he is mighty Sick
yet
I got dinner to day
I finished a Helmet for
Bruce Reynolds to day
I got two letters to day one
from Julia Fergerson & one from
Lottie Craddock
Ben went this evening
to Ren Worshams and paid
for the Guano to use this
year. Ben is Sleepin in
my room to night Edna
is with him Henry is with
his Mother
8 30 oclock
Rain and Hail nearly
all day one of the worst days
this winter I got dinner
and milked and fed the
chickens I was most afraid
to put my feet out of
doors Mr Bailis come over
a little while Tonight
Tom & Chesley Edmons come
& staid until Bed time
we had soup for dinner we
grown ups enjoyed it fine
Henny is still right sick
10 oclock
A cloudy day the ground is
covered with ice. Ben went to
Renan this evening he walked
Tom Edmons Come up here to day
for Ben to cut his hair
Marvin went to see Charles to
day. I wish I could go
Johnson Reynolds Come to Marvins
to change his Phone
Josie got dinner I washed
dishes after dinner.. I sewed
some on an olde quilt milked
and then Set by the fire most
of the time
Mollie kept this evening and got
the knitting that I did for
her. we hope that Henny is
some better
8 25 oclock
A cloudy day snow & ice
on ground and trees Ben went
with Marvin to Strait Store to
day I got dinner Josie worked
dishes after dinner I finished
a quilt that I peiced for
Josie peiced it out of olde
peices Henny is right sick
yet the Dr is here now
oh the awful weather hope
it will get Better soon
8 30 oclock
Snowed nearly all day
Ben Hauled a load of Stalks
and a little Straw to day
Josie got dinner. I washed
dishes after dinner
we both done as little a we
could make out with
Henny is some better off
to night 8 oclock
Josie made the fire in the Stove
this morning
A warm day snow & ice
melted very fast Ben went
to renan and to see Charles
Kate Harvey come a little
while the weather is so
bad that I have to stay in
most of the time Ben made
the fire in the stove this
morning I got Breakfast
Josie got dinner she had
a bowl of soup & chicken
Baked tea cakes we all did
enjoy it so much I washed
dishes after dinner Josie
fed the calves and chickens
we had tea cakes and cocoa
for supper 9 20 oclock
A clear colde windy day
Ben cut some in the woods
I got dinner. Josie sewed on
her quilt. This evening she
went to Marvins a while
Come home and fed the Chickens
and Calves. Brought water
I Staid by the fire all the
time that I could I am
hookin a Mat dont know
yet a bout finishin it
Henny is Still improving
hope he will soon be well
9 45 oclock
A clear and very colde
morning some what cloudy
tonight Ben cut in the woods
in the morning
he went to Strait Store this
evening Josie went with him
they went on the waggon
and carried some chickens
Marvin Smith went to see
Charles said he was feeling
some better than he had bein
I do wish that the weather
would get good so that I
could get out some
Josie made the fire in the
stove this morning I got
Breakfast Josie got dinner
9 30 oclock
clear most of the day and
warmer South wind blowin
Ben shod the Horses this morning
Split wood some this evening
Josie got dinner I killed a
Chicken this morning
this evenin Josie fixed a
Box to be Solde at
Strait Stone School House
to night Ben and Josie
went down there I hope
they may get on ok it is
a dark and dreary lookin
time to me
I am here with the Children
they are all a Sleep now
8 40 oclock
A clear good day
Ben hauled feed & wood
Josie got dinner
I went to Marvins and
spent the day Marvin
went to the mill
I hemed on Curries Babys
peices I enjoyed my visit
so much
I got a letter from
Bruce & Thelma to day
Ben & Josie got home
from the school house
this morning just be fore
one oclock they said
that they had a good
time 9 oclock
A clear Morning cloudy
this evenin Ben Hauled
some wood this morning.
Cut feed & Sowed wood
this evening Marwin Smith &
William Gilbert Helped him
Josie Swept the yard some
and got dinner
Some man passed here today
and I greed to take the
Cow that I Bought from
Marwin. Johnson Reynolde
[Cotte] is here tonaght
he went to Gretna today
have not heard how Tobacco
Solde to day
9 oclock
A cloudy day Ben finished
sawin wood this morning
Josie ironed most of the day
she got dinner & supper
I sewed a little
Made up the Bleach that
I got from Charles Williams
Stores
Ben has gone to Strait
Store to night
Henny is well enough
that he has gone to Bee
in my roons a gain
10 oclock
A clear nice day we all
Staid at home most of the day
Just at night Ben went to
Charles's to get his team to go to
Long Island after Guano
Mr Owen Come to day wants to
move to morrow he will move in
the House that Mr Bailies moved
from.
Kate Harvey come to see us today
Josie got dinner she fixed every
thing very nice. I think all of
us enjoyed dinner
I have not seen any of
Carries folks to day Paul Sent me
his gloves to mend I guess I will
mend them Tomorrow if nothing happens
9 40 oclock
A good day Ben went
to Altavista with Owen they
will stay all night some
when over there Mr Mayhew
went with them Ben carried
my calf Frank Mays went
to the Island for Ben
Josie washed a big washing
this morning she finished
about twelve oclock
we all went up to Carries
this evening
about all of the snow
has gone and it is so muddy
that it is most imposable to
traval at all
8 40 oclock
A good day Some Clouds
but no rain. Ben moved
Sam Owen here to day.
Mr Mayhew Brought one
load for him Ben is up at
the Cabben now Helpin fix
up his things
Carrie and Paul Roy and
Hazel was with her Reese
was at School. they intended
to make some candy. but
Could not get what they
wanted to fix it with
and did not make any
Some man Come to day
and got the wooding Cow
hope he wont be Sorry
that he got her
9 oclock
A good day Ben went
for a load of plunder for Owen
they got home about three
oclock in the evening they brought
his cow Ben went to
Mr Laynes this evening to
pay some money that
Charles owed him they are fixin
to have a gatherin at the
School House to morrow
Carrie & Josie made candy this
evenin they had good luck with
it I do hope they may do well
with their sales
Marvin bought him a cow to
day
9 oclock
A good day very warm for
the time of year
Ben Helped Richard wooding
Shuck Corn. Josie made sandwichs
and her and Edna went to
the School House and Carried
them they went by Carries
and got the Candy that Josie
and Carrie made yesterday
and Sand witches that Carrie
made yestenday Josie drove Prince
was gone two hours. did not take
the Harness off the Horse at night
Ben & I and Henny went to
the School House I think they
Solde a bout all that they
had to Sell. there was a
Small Crowd there the roads
are very Bad yet.
I could not find my glasses
So this is wrote 9 15
Friday morning
A good day but windy
Ben and Owen burnt plant
Beds Josie ironed
I went to see Charles
he is very feeble
I do hope he may get
better yet Frank Mays
and Lee Brumfield and Irvin
Lewis went to Chatham to
day Kate Harvey and Mrs
Mayhew and Laura Mayhew
was at Charles
to day was the first time
that I have bein to Renan
this year I hope to go a
gain soon Chesley Edmonds
commenced work at Kates
to day hope he may finish
his crop 9 30 oclock
A clear morning then clouded
up and Hailed before twelve
oclock Ben & Owen got up
their plant Beds and Sowed
them. Josie Baked a Cake and
got dinner
I washed a few garments
Lizzie Bennett Come to night
I am glad that She came
She went to see Charles
this evenin
I am always glad to See
any of them
Reese and Paul and Roy Smith
Come a little while this
evenin Rees & Henry caught
the little Calf but could
not manage him
11 30 oclock
A good day Ben went
to see Charles this morning he keeps
mighty feeble Lizzie and Paul
Bennett and Reulen Reynolds was
here for dinner
Josie got dinner she got a nice
dinner fried ham and eggs
Tomatoes and Potatoes and Butter
and Preserves she had it all
so nice and attractive I was
proud of her fixin so well I
did not do any thing but keep
company Mr & Mrs Hutcherson
was here this evenin I was glad
to have them Lizzie and I
went to Curries a while and to
George Blains and staid until
Bed time had a pleasant visit
10 oclock
A clear colde day Ben &
Owen went to Long Island after
[Fentenizer] they got Home a bout
dark. Carrie and the Children
was here to day. Lizzie Bennett
went home this evening
Josie got dinner. I washed
dishes after dinner Josie got
Supper & washed dishes
I Brought in Twenty one
eggs to night
Henny went to School to
day the first Time since
Xmas 9 30 oclock
A cloudy day some rain
Ben went with Henny to Blains
this morning Henny went to
School I have lost the smoke
house key Ben brought a key
from Blains but it would not
unlock the door dont know
what we will do about it yet
Ben and Owen went to the
mill this evening with corn
got their meal
Josie sewed on her quilt
I got a snack for dinner
churned and jobed a round
most of the day Ben went
with Willie Mayhew to
John Hutchersons to night
Josie and the children are
all abed and I am going
soon 9 oclock
Rain this morning. Clear by
twelve Ben opened the Smoke
House door this morning. and
Hung up the meat. we have
not found the key yet hope
we may find it yet
Josie washed some to day.
I got dinner and kept the
Children. Kate Harvey come a
while. I was glad to see
her. Ben and Owen went
to a cutting match this
evening they cut for Tom
Peak at Mr Wooldings
9 10 oclock