April Entries in the 1900 Diary of John Foss & Isabelle (Huff) Foss of West Hollis, Maine

April entries in the 1900 diary of John Foss (1860-1934) and Isabelle (Huff) Foss (1869-1929), "Belle", who farmed at West Hollis, Maine.  From the entries, it's plain to see that they were a hard working couple.

The couple made use of a blank diary for 1894 to record their 1900 entries.  Fortunately, the days match up.

John and Belle, who married in 1890 at Hollis, Maine, had two daughters:

1. Myra Helene Foss (1892-1976), who would marry George Woodbury McKenney 
2. Annie Evelyn Foss (1900-1988), who would marry Lewis Isaac Woodman

From a collection of five of their diaries covering 1899, 1900, 1902-1904 and John's 1913 account book.  See an overview post that features:

• family history of the Foss family
• links to entries for the rest of January 1899 and other diaries from 1900, 1902, 1903 and 1904
• an alphabetical list of surnames in the diary and an approximation of how many different people of that surname were mentioned in the diaries
• an alphabetical list of individual people mentioned in the diaries, some countless times

1894 diary used for 1900 entries

The person making the entry is identified in brackets.  Throughout the diaries, John made occasional entries, but Belle made the majority of them. 

People mentioned in the entries below are identified or tentatively identified the first time they appear. If you have corrections, alternate identities or additional information on anyone mentioned,  please leave a comment or contact me directly.

 March 29, 1900 - [John]  Went over on Johnson and cut wood today. Came around by Tarbox as he had a nice cow.

• Tarbox - perhaps James Blaisdell Tarbox (1841-1917) or a relative

March 30, 1900 - [John]  Cut wood for Cecil. We cut two cords down by Joseph Gilpatric.

• Joseph Gilpatric - perhaps Joseph Googins Gilpatrick (1832-1908) or Joseph Henry Gilpatrick (1874-1924)

March 31, 1900 - [John]  Cut wood for C H.  It was cold and the wind blowed.

• C. H. - possibly Cecil Leighton Haley

April 1, 1900 - [John]  It has been warm today. I went up and carried Nell home this morning. I have been over to James B this afternoon.  

• James B. - presumably James Benson

April 2, 1900 - [John]  It is warm today. I have been to the center and got 3 axes upset and got some pork.

April 3, 1900 - [John]  It rained this morning and snowed some in the afternoon.

April 4, 1900 - [John]  We have been cutting wood for C.H. It has been warm.

April 5, 1900 - [John]  Have been cutting wood for C. H.  

April 6, 1900 - [John]  Have been cutting wood on the Mason place.

• Mason place - a farm and woodlot which John may have leased 

April 7, 1900 - [John]  Cutting wood up on the Mason place.

April 8, 1900 - [John]  It was pleasant. I went over to Johnson.

• Johnson - either the Johnson home or the woodlot, which John occasionally leased

April 9, 1900 - [John]  We cut wood up on the Mason lot. It was cold.

April 10, 1900 - [John]  We have been cutting wood today for C. H. It has been warm.  Went to Clarks' and got sawdust in the morning, cut wood in the afternoon.

• Clark -  presumably the business of lumber dealer Charles Franklin Smith (1844-1917)

April 11, 1900 - [John]  Went to Portland to see the steamers and had a good time.

April 12, 1900 - [John]  Went to the center and got some grain.

April 13, 1900 - [John]  Went up to Corn Smith and bought a barrel of flour and some meat.

• Corn Smith - presumably store owner Constine D. Smith (1851-1917)

April 14, 1900 - [John]  Went up and helped Len Saw wood in the forenoon and went up to the river to see about the logs in the afternoon.

• Len - 

April 15, 1900 - [John]  Turned in logs all day. We had 60370 feet.

April 16, 1900 - [John]  I have been grafting today.

April 17, 1900 - [John]  Cut wood today. It rained in the afternoon.

April 18, 1900 - [John]  Went up to Had's this forenoon. Cut wood in the afternoon.

• Had - possibly Had Smith or Hod Smith

April 19, 1900 - [John]  In the wood in the forenoon and plowed for Frank Benson in the afternoon.

• Frank Benson - 

April 20, 1900 - [John]  Cut wood in the morning. hauled out in afternoon.

April 21, 1900 - [John]  Went to Ctr in morning, got the horse shod and got some grain and went and got Dot shod in the afternoon.

• Dot - John's draft horse

April 22, 1900 - [John]  Went up to the Mason place.

April 23, 1900 - [John]  Helped Cecil saw wood. It rained some.

• Cecil - presumably Cecil Leighton Haley, but possibly Cecil Frank Clark

April 24, 1900 - [John]  Plowed all day. The wind blowed and it was cold.

April 25, 1900 - [John]  Plowed in the forenoon and went to Clarks'. The wind blowed. I settled up with C. F. Clark.

• C. F. Clark - lumber dealer Charles Franklin Clark (1844-1917)

April 26, 1900 - [John]  Plowed. It was very cold for the time of year.

April 27, 1900 - [John]  Cut wood all day. It was cold.

 April 28, 1900 - [John]  Went over to James Benson with wood.

• James Benson - James Benson worked occasionally for and with John; married Maud Nelson

April 29, 1900 - [John]  Settled with Had this morning. Went up and payed Mrs. Manson for the lading.

• Mrs. Manson - either a Mrs. Manson as spelled, or perhaps Mrs. Mason, owner of the Mason place

April 30, 1900 - [John]  Hauled manure and went up to Elmer's.

• Elmer - possibly one of the following: postmaster Elmer E. Abbott; Lewis Elmer Burnham, if he went by his middle name; Elmer Haley; Elmer E. Tufts of Waterboro; Charles Elmer Warren

May 1, 1900 - [John]  Plowed in the morning; went up to the Mason place.

May 2, 1900 - [John]  Went to center today, got some grain.  Planted peas. Settled with Ceas 

• Ceas - presumably Cecil Leighton Haley

May 3, 1900 - [John]  Rained hard all day. I piled wood in the shed.

Again, if you have information to share on any of the people mentioned, including the Foss family itself, please leave a comment or contact me directly.

Advance to May 1900 or return to March 1900.