2022.88.12

"In 1876, 20-year-old Hattie Moffat Wright (she was born a Moffat but raised by the Wright family) was being courted by Charles Bird, [soon to be] the new Saugatuck druggist. He gave her a journal in which she faithfully recorded the social events of her young life which give interesting insights into daily life, courtship and school teaching in Saugatuck of that era. Hattie and Charles were marred later in 1877 when both were 21 years old. They lived above the store in Saugatuck then moved to a small house on the square and then to the old Samuel Johnson home (later Frolic Resort) on Allegan Street. The couple had seven children. Charles died in 1941, Hattie in 1944." [above text is from the introduction and end of the transcript] The journal describes a confined life of frequent prayer and choir meetings, sewing, washing, ironing, churning, and baking but also teas, social calls, surprise parties and a kiss. Frequent comments of "did up the work this morning" (that included mopping) and "wove hair all day." Many mentions of assisting women who were sick or elderly, delivering/giving produce or flowers, and staying overnight at other people's houses to provide company or if the weather was bad. As a school teacher, Hattie usually was "brought up" to the school, often by her father on Monday morning, and boarded away from home during the week with the Zwemers, McClairs, Kennedys, Doanes, or Hoadleys. She spent her weekends at home. At times she started walking home on Fridays but was usually her father "came out" to pick her up on the way. The number of students under her charge varied from day to day. She often reported feeling ill with ague or homesick. Hattie ruminates about a former love interest John Underwood, "I am so glad and thankful tonight that I have such a lover as Charlie (Bird) instead of that blackeyed one that I used to admire so much. How could I have loved him so I don't see. Why I despise him tonight from the very depth of my soul. I do not HATE him though I sometimes say I do and I pray for him every day of my life. And I hope that God will some time touch his heart and make him a a man in Christ Jesus." [Nov. 7] At a party, Hattie notes "I did not dance only to waltz with one or two of the girls." The text includes references to Mr. and Mrs. Horace Moore, Lillie Moore, Tom Moore, Henry Bird, Mrs. Bird and Lillie, Miss Comstock, Si Galdersmith, Mrs. Stocking, Mr. Jewet, Callie Pride, Mr. Pipes, Mr. Pond, Florence Snyder, Annie Taylor, Reca Cheesen, Mrs. Grant, Mrs. Taylor, Mr. King, Jennie Smalley, Marcia, Mrs. Frank Johnson, Mrs. Hilbrook, Mr. Gill, Mrs. Skinners, Moses Nash, Dr. McRae, Mr. Ensign (who sold drug store to Charlie Bird), Harvey, Lillie and Jessie House, Walter and Lollie Miller, Bisha Jenkins, S.S. Phelps, Mary and Elsie Renneda?, Mr. and Mrs. Adrian Zwemer, Avart Zwemer (student), Johnnie Zwemer, Addie Hames, Will Hoadley, Kittie Hibberdine, John and Jimmie Underwood, the Wallins, Mrs. Adams, Perry Goshorn, Eve Johnson, Mrs. Philbrooke, Mrs. Coates, Ida Weaver, Mrs. Fred Taylor, Emma Johnson (store owner), Mr. Paris (administrator at the school), Mr. and Mrs. Estabrooke, Fred McKnight (student), Marcia Scovil, Mary Dennis, Maggie Donald, Bert and Louise Breuckmann and Jennie (Smalley) Tedmon. Choir members mentioned include Emm, Mr. Pride, Mr. Dunn, Lina Chadburn, Lou Breuckmann, Fan Upham, Events mentioned include Ed Tedmon's marriage to Jennie (Smalley) Tedmon, services at the Episcopal church, men's journeys to Chicago including her Papa "starting for Chicago to the Exposition" (Sept. 15) and Charlie Bird on the "Heath" ship (Nov. 27), Jessie Morrison's wedding invitation (Dec. 5) and a fire that destroyed "Johnson's Store and Wilson's Saloon" (Feb 11) - "the town greatly excited over it."

Family History

Winthers, Sally

https://sdhistoricalsociety.org/publications/NLHist/NLHist/P445-448.php

12/19/2022

08/15/2024