May 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:
- Myra Helene Foss (1892-1976), who would marry George Woodbury McKenney
- Annie Evelyn Foss (1900-1988), who would marry Lewis Isaac Woodman
- 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
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.
- James Benson - James Benson worked occasionally for and with John; married Maud Nelson
- Mrs. Manson - either a Mrs. Manson as spelled, or perhaps Mrs. Mason, owner of the Mason place
- 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 2, 1900 - [John] Went to center today, got some grain. Planted peas. Settled with Ceas
- Ceas - presumably Cecil Leighton Haley
May 4, 1900 - [John] I went over to Will Deering and got 20 dollars of what he owed me.
- Will Deering - presumably William Brooks Deering
- C. W. Smith - possibly Charles W. Smith
- Mason place - the farm and woodlot that John either leased or worked
May 7, 1900 - [John] Planted potatoes. It was cold. Painted the sleds. My trees come in the afternoon.
May 8, 1900 - [John] Set out apple trees and spread manure up on the Mason place.
May 9, 1900 - [John] It has rained this morning. I set my peach trees.
May 10, 1900 - [John] Went to West Buxton; got Dot shod. Went to the Ctr in the afternoon. Got my springs.
- Dot - John's draft horse
- James B. - presumably James Benson
- Uncle George - presumably John's paternal or maternal uncle or by marriage
May 14, 1900 - [John] I carried Uncle George to the Center.
May 15, 1900 - [John] Hauled manure and harrowed.
May 16, 1900 - [John] plowed for Huff all day.
- Huff - presumably referring to the place of George P. Huff and Sarah E. (Bean) Huff, parents of John's wife Isabelle (Huff) Foss, "Belle"
May 18, 1900 - [John] It rained last night and this forenoon. I went up to the Mason place and hauled rocks. We had a thunder shower.
May 19, 1900 - [John] It has rained hard all day. There has been the most rain fell today that we have had for some time.
May 20, 1900 - [John] It was pleasant today. I went up to the Mason place.
May 21, 1900 - [John] There was a thunder shower today. I planted sweet corn.
May 22, 1900 - [John] Went to West Buxton and harrowed for James.
- James - presumably James Benson
- James Benson's woman - presumably Maud (Nelson) Benson
- B. Gilpatric
- Jed - presumably John's draft horse
May 26, 1900 - [John] Been to the Ctr and got Jed shod today. There is a meeting up here today.
May 27, 1900 - [John] It was warm today. Quarterly meeting up to the meeting house.
- Ed Tarbox - presumably Edward A. Tarbox, husband of Jennie B. (Hooper) Tarbox
- Mrs. Hill - presumably Hannah (Seaver) Hill, daughter of James and Mary (Bean) Seaver and widow of Jeremiah Hill. Mrs. Hill would die on November 7, 1903, as noted in the 1903 diary.
May 30, 1900 - [John] Planted up on the Mason place.
May 31, 1900 - [John] Planted up on the Mason place.
June 1, 1900 - [John] Went to Clarks' in the morning. Built fence in the afternoon.
- Clark - presumably the establishment of lumber dealer Charles Franklin Clark (1844-1917)
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 June 1900 or return to April 1900.
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