A little more about Salem

Ann & Henry arrived in the Salem area October 8th and stayed a week. (They had lived there for a time in 1855 before moving further west.) Ann's brother, Curtis stayed put in Salem, and there were several nieces & nephews and many old friends to see. Some of their visiting was in Cedar Creek, a few miles north of Salem. Ann's diary indicates that she and Henry also attended some Quaker business meetings. Much of what Ann writes is about who they visited, what they bought, and who is not feeling well. Several days' entries are condensed here:

"Fourth day morning 9th [Wednesday, October 9, 1867] Rain, with considerable wind last night. Glad we were not camping out. Henry gone to Salem Monthly Meeting. Anna J. Winslow & her blackeyed little Orestus Alson [Ann's niece & her baby son] came over to see us."

"Fifth day, 10th [Thursday, October 10, 1867] Went to Monthly Meeting - very small & I thought a little backward in speaking to business. Job Smith obtained a minute to labor in Truth's service in Western Indiana and Ohio Yearly Meeting." [A minute seems to be a directive or declaration]

"Seventh day morning, 12th (Saturday, October 12, 1867] After breakfast went to Curtis' in Salem. A thimble for 5 cts., a lb of sulphur for 20 cts. Curtis not at home, but came just after we had eat dinner. How my heart yearns for him my youngest brother."

"First day morning [Sunday, October 13, 1867] Job & Elizabeth went to Oak Ridge meeting. Pretty good meeting. An omission of duty clothed my mind with poverty most of the afternoon. [She forgot to do something and felt awful about it.] Got back to John's a little after dark. Had a solemn favored family meeting. After the sitting Henry & I went to Josiah's to sleep. Stayed till after breakfast then came back to John's to do up our working & washing. Aim to start tomorrow for Indiana. Washed and baked some."

"Second day evening 14th [Monday, October 14, 1867] John and
Matilda, Henry & I and all of the small children went to Mary's and stayed all night. Had a real good visit. Jane and
her children were there. Henry went home with J & M."

"3rd day morning [Tuesday, October 15, 1867] I stayed and ironed and baked some more to eat on the road -- went back to John's about noon, packed & loaded up again, & in the evening went past Mary's, got Jane & the children & came to Curtis' in Salem, a little after dark."

Next: A surprising discovery in Saint Paul, Iowa.