Life in Thorntown

Ann's diary continues for a few more days after she arrives in Thorntown. An odd thing occurs in the diary. Ann's last entry was Fourth day morning 30th which would have been October 30, 1867. Then it jumps to Fifth day, 12th mo. [December] 1st. It looks like she forgot that October had 31 days. In addition, it seems as though she skipped an entire month, but I don't think so because of the nature of her subsequent entries. Ann is greeting people she hasn't seen in some time and writing as though she is still newly arrived. Perhaps she just got mixed up on her dates?

"Fifth day, 12th mo. 1st [November 1, 1867?] After breakfast at Jerries, Henry & I went to James Brown's & found him sick with something like cholic. Felt a void in not seeing Ruth, tho the new wife Martha seems like a nice woman. Staid there till evening & went to Wm's."

"Sixth day 2nd [November 2, 1867] Went to Joseph Andrew's funeral at 11 o'clock. Saw Hugh Woody, Enos & Malinda & many others we had not seen before. Had meeting in the meeting house after the funeral. Hugh & Nathan preached as did several others. Went back to Wm's & in the evening went to James's again. He is still quite unwell. Heard while there that Lotan & Emily has arrived at Bransons. Came on the cars."

"Seventh day 3rd [November 3, 1867] Came back to William's & done up some chores. Martha Binford buried today, died of consumption. We did not go. Hear they had great pomp & display. Coffin cost one hundred & ten dollars! White satin dress & other things in accordance. Her wealthy father, tho a Friend, employed the undertaker to bring out the showy Freemason hearse for which, we hear, he charges 75 dollars. Washed our straw bedticks & went to Branson's to sleep. Branson's knee painful from his fall."

Wow! Ann sounds a little "holier than thou" in this entry! Martha was 18 years old, according to church records. I'm sure her father wanted to honor her. Many of the older headstones in this cemetery are worn and unreadable. Some of our kin are laid to rest here.