Newberry Library - Rowley family journals, 1851-1887

Title Rowley family journals, 1851-1887

Date 1851-1887

Summary Two journals kept by Mrs. Jane Rowley about the city of Chicago and its environs. The first journal, from 1851, describes the death of her husband, Aldric (also spelled Aldrich), who had gone to California. The second journal spans 1857-1887 and describes farming life, weather, multiple marriages and funerals, and family and social gatherings at home and at Hoards Hall, Unity Church, and camp meetings. Frequent trips to Chicago and other nearby towns including Leyden, Ridgeland, Harlem, and Maywood are described, along with an extended trip to Mrs. Rowley's childhood home of Shelburn (now Shelburne), Vermont. As the journal progresses, Mrs. Rowley enters her 60s and 70s and begins to write repeatedly after family gatherings and holidays that the whole family may not be together for the next gathering. The entries stop in early December 1887, just months before Mrs. Rowley's death in February 1888.

Biographical/Historical Note Jane Perry Rowley was born in Shelburne, Vermont in 1816. She married Aldrich Rowley (1812-1850) in 1836, and by 1840 they had moved to Illinois. The Rowleys had three daughters: Martha Delphine Rowley (1837-1913), Adeline "Ada" Cornelia Rowley (1840-1931), and Marietta "Etta" Jane Rowley (1848-1903). Mrs. Rowley lived in various places including Oak Park and Cicero. She died in Cook County on Feb. 16, 1888.

Extent 0.1 linear ft. (1 folder)

Format Diaries

User-Contributed Transcription 186121 Paid two dollars to Mr Gunnison for Mr. Hannah Aug 11 Mr and Mrs Brewster made us a short visit 24 Received letters from Marrietta Hrekok which brought us the news of Uncle Clarks death which took place Aug 8st 1861Sept 4 Celebrated my 45st birthday buy pulling weeds in the garden all the forenoon14 Ada started for West Creek with Henry Classes folks 19 Clark and Oscar went to Saint Charles and were sworn in to the service of the United States19 14 Had threshers the first and last time since we lived here 18 Clark and Marty got home from Indiana20 Adaline Mr Robbins and Jo Burns came26 All went to St Charles to escort the soldiers came home next day Oct 12 Martha went in Chicago and stayed till monday to see the Soldiers start for Washington went in monday myself 8 We all went to Mill and went in the Soldier Camp 10 Had cider made for the first time17 Mrs Emerson was buriedNov 1 Ann Sherman came here to board with us1 Borrowed $25 of William Willis and paid Michael Nov 2nd2 Got our fields cleared and our cattle in8 Weather very mild roads dry as summer17 Mr Robbins and Jo Burns got back from Town stayed till the 19st took little Jopha home with them an awful cold windy day20 More comfortable day21 Clear beautiful day so warm that the Bees were out but rain and thunder at night23 First snow storm Clark Tarewell and Albert Robbins came here and stayed till the 27 Martha went town with them Dec 1 weather very cold and some snow but not enough tounclear sleighing Girls went down to Roses on sled but went pretty unclear

Transcription Status Needs review

Transcription Note This document was transcribed by volunteers as part of the Newberry Transcribe crowdsourcing initiative.

Link to Catalog View record

Call Number Midwest MS 96

BibID 826556

Rights Status No Copyright - United States

Contributing Institution Newberry Library

Newberry Open Access Policy The Newberry makes its collections available for any lawful purpose, commercial or non-commercial, without licensing or permission fees to the library, subject to these terms and conditions.

Size 3299px × 4082px 38.56 MB

File Created 07/26/2016

Filename 998265568805867_mms_096_002_007.tif

Unique Identifier NL1NSW0