The diary begins about one week into April 1858. At this time Jane is 24 years old and has been a widow for several years.
Wed 7 - [at Aunt Anna's] Went to the Division. Had a good time tonight. Lib and I are going to stay to Aunt Anna's here. We are almost tired to death.
Lib was Jane's sister, Elizabeth Ann Tillotson, who was three years younger than Jane. At this time Lib was 21 years old.
Thurs 8 - [at home] Stayed to Aunt Anna's till after dinner. Called to Mr. ... to see Miss Deming . She is not as well today. Tonight Tim is staying with us.
Tim is an interesting person to identify. The name is obviously spelled Tim in the diary and the person is also obviously a girl. I am convinced that she is actually Louisa Orinda Peck who was Jane's age, having been born at Brunswick on 6 December 1834. She was the daughter of Willys and Sallie (Potter) Peck of Brunswick. Jane frequently uses nicknames for her close relatives and friends. How Louisa came to be known as Tim, though, I have no idea. She was, however, a close friend of Jane's and is mentioned frequently in the diary. My identification is based on the identification of her husband as will be shown below.
Fri 9 - [at home] Went to the Center in the morning. This afternoon Tim and I have been to Sarah Bennett's.
Sarah Bennett was the wife of Tillotson neighbor William
Bennett. Sarah was born Sarah M. Prichard in New York about 1827.
There were Prichard's living in Liverpool from an early time and she
may be related to them in some way. She was 31 years old in 1858 and
Jane mentions visiting her several times. On the map of Brunswick,
the Bennet farm can be found next to the Daniel Tillotson farm.
Sarah's husband, William, was 37 years old and also came origianlly from New York. They had a five year old daughter, Alice who was their only daughter. William was apparently a very bright and skilled farmer. His farm in 1860 was valued at$6000 which made it one of most substantial in Brunswick. He had been urged by family and friends to attend college as a young man in order to pursue a professional career for which he seemed suited. However, events conspired against him and he was unable to attend college. He had a strong interest in agriculture to he turned willingly to farming. He became well known for his carefully tended flocks, well tilled acres, and bountiful orchards which resulted from his hard work and the judgements of his keen mind. His interest in farming was part of his love of nature and he was reputed to really be in communion with nature. He was an ardent Congregationalist and gave much of time and money to the church which he attended regularly. Throughout his life he maintained an interest in town and all public affairs and contributed his great talents and personality to the betterment of the community.
Sat 10 - [at home] Been moping, baking, cleaning chambers and Miles has been here. Had a good visit with him. This afternoon he has gone to Columbia.
Miles was Jane's cousin, Miles Wells Tillotson. Miles was the
youngest child of Jane's Uncle Samuel Tillotson and his wife Lucy.
Samuel was the oldest son of Jane's grandfather, Samuel Tillotson,
and the only child of Samuel to remain in Massachusetts when the rest
of the family came to Ohio in 1815. Miles was about a year younger
than Jane and was born in Otis, Massachusetts on 21 December 1835. It
would appear that Miles moved to Brunswick in his early twenties,
perhaps after visiting the area with his family to see grandparents
and other relatives. Miles is another cousin who appears to have been
close to Jane.
Sun 11 - [at home] Been at home all day. Wrote a letter to Eliza this evening. We have been singing. Tim is here. This is all, good night.
Mon 12 - [at home] Sewing all day making Lib a dress. Tonight there is two Peddlers staying here selling dulcimers.
Tues 13 - [at home] Been washing, baking. Father and Mother have been to Mr. Wilmot's . Lib is down to Mrs. ... sewing.
The Wilmot family was one of the early ones in Liverpool and
some members moved to Brunswick. Jane mentions several younger
members of the family in the diary and spends some time living with
them. Typically, Jane calls the parents of her contemporaries "Mr."
and "Mrs.". Other people old enough to be her parent's generation she
also names this way.
Wed 14 - [at home] Ironing and sewing. Spent the afternoon alone as Father and Mother went to the funeral of Lucius Stevens. J. Deltow has been here.
The funeral Jane mentions was that of Lucius E. Stevens, the
five year old son of Plowden Stevens, a cousin of Jane's. Jane's Aunt
Sally (Sarah Tillotson), the first teacher in Brunswick, had married
Cortez Stevens originally from Great Barrington, Massachusetts.
Cortez and Sally had four children, including James Plowden, born in
1826. He was known as Plowden and was about eight years older than
Jane. He was a well respected piano tuner in Brunswick. Jane doesn't
mention him but must certainly have known him. The difference in age
may have been just enough to keep them from being close friends.
Thurs 15 - [at Mr. Bryan's] Went and carried Lib down to Mr. Hall's, then carried Tim down to Mr. Barber's. Sarah Bennett spent the afternoon here. In the eve went over to Mr. Bryan's to see the ... folks.
The Bryan family is something of a mystery to me. I have not been able to locate them in census records except for one husband and wife who were friends of Jane. The Bryan's may have lived in Berea or another nearby town. The Mr. Bryan mentioned here is obviously someone from her parent's generation.
Fri 16 - [at home] Came home from Mr. Bryan's in the morning. Will Wool is here from Michigan. Oh, what a pet. Lib came home from Mr. Hall's at noon.
The family of Kingston and Hannah (Oliver) Wooll had lived at
Columbia, Ohio for a time and then moved to Michigan. Jane's brother,
William, married Mary Elizabeth (Betsey) Wooll in 1855 and moved to
Elsie, Michigan. The Will Wooll mentioned here by Jane was Betsey's
brother.
Sat 17 - [at home] Went up to Uncle Dan's and washed for Aunt Elmira. Mrs. Stow, Sarah and Jennie Bryan spent the afternoon here. Jennie stayed all night.
Uncle Dan was Daniel Tillotson.
Mrs. Stow was Elizabeth Stow, wife of Daniel B. Stow. Daniel Stow was the son of Rhoda (Ward) Stow who came to Brunswick in 1817 with her brother, Jacob Ward, who was the Methodist minister who came out to establish the first Methodist Church in Brunswick. She served as her brother's housekeeper. Daniel Stow married first Phidelia Deming, of the Deming clan mentioned earlier, but by 1858 she had died and he was then married to his second wife, Elizabeth. Daniel was 55 in 1858 and Elizabeth was 47. Daniel was one of the wealthiest farmers in Brunswick. In 1860 his farm was valued at $6000. Jane mentions the Stows often and also several of their children.
The Sarah mentioned here I presume to be Sarah Bennett. Jennie Bryan was another good friend of Jane's. She may have lived in Berea.
Sun 18 - [at home] Went to Beebetown to meeting. Saw .... Went up to Mr. Butts and took tea. Tim, Dry, Lib and my own self.
Jane's parents were Methodist but she seems to attend several
different churches. Beebetown was a village located at the northwest
corner of Brunswick and included both Liverpool and Brunswick land.
It was named for an early settler in the village whose name was
Beebe. In1826 a Baptist Church was organized in Beebetown by Elder
Russell Gilmore. After holding services in members' homes for eight
years a two-story log meeting house was raised in 1834. The building
Jane went to in 1858 was a frame building constructed in 1852, then
six years old. It was replaced with a brick building in 1905. Why
Jane sometimes attended a Baptist Church instead of the Methodist is
not certain.
Mr. Butts would be Daniel Butts of Brunswick. He was the father of Nellie Butts who married Jane's good friend and cousin, Miles Tillotson, in 1860.
Dry is another interesting person to identify. There is no direct evidence but I am convinced that Dry was Darius Francis Tillotson, son of Jane's Uncle Dan. I am convinced because Dry obviously lives in Uncle Dan's household and is a good friend of Jane's.
Mon 19 - [at home] Today Bun? Clark, and Mr. Clark, Delia, Lewis, H. Prichard and Geo. Prichard have been here. Dry came over and spent the eve. Father has gone to Wooster.
The Clarks and Prichards are not easy to identify and I have
not really been able to do so. I presume the Prichard's belong to the
Liverpool family.
Jane's father was Leonard Tillotson, the ninth child of Samuel and Sarah Tillotson. He was 56 in 1858.
Wooster is an Ohio town south of Brunswick on the main road which connected Cleveland with Columbus. This road is today Route 42 and passes directly in front of the old Daniel Tillotson farm and I presume the old Leonard Tillotson farm also. It was a stage route and he may have gone by stage.
Tues 20 - [at home] Sewing all day. Have finished Tryphenia's quilt. Tim is talking so I cannot write.
Tryphena was Jane's cousin, Tryphena Tillotson, daughter of
Uncle Dan and Aunt Olive Tillotson.
Wed 21 - [at home] Tim and Chub went over to Mr. Bryan's. Had a good (time). Carrie came up with Father to stay a few days. Lewis is here. Rec'd a letter from Eliza.
Thurs 22 - [at home] Washed in the forenoon. In the afternoon Carrie, Lib, and Chub went up to Uncle Dan's. Aunt Elmira came up after .... Carrie enjoyed the visit.
Carrie was her cousin, Caroline Rogers Tillotson, daughter of Uncle Zadock and Aunt Almira. She was about 17 years old in 1858 having been born about 1841. She came for visits with Jane's family several times.
Fri 23 - [at home] Been at home sewing all day. Eunice has been here. Lib has gone to Mr. Bryan's. Put to Mr. Wilmot's. Today Frank is a year old.
Sat 24 - [at home] Moping, baking. W.G. Bern was here and took tea with us. Monday he starts for Wisconsin. Father has gone to the Lodge.
The Frank who is a year old is Frank Leroy Wait, the son of Jane's sister Eliza and her husband Charles Wait. Frank was their second child, the first being Susan (Susie) Wait born in 1853. They were apparently living in Elsie, Michigan at this time. (See Tillotson Genealogy person ?)
Sun 25 - [at home] Went down to Uncle Warner's. Went up to see Carrie a little while. Miles came up with Lib and Chub as far as Mr. Butts. Had a little sing.
Uncle Warner was Lucius Warner who married Jane's Aunt
Melitiah Tillotson.
Mon 26 - [at home] Washing. The men have come at last to saw wood. Went up to see Tim just at night to Mr. Brown's. Lib has gone to Mr. Hall's.
Tues 27 - [at home] Baking and ironing. Jennie came over just at night. Sarah and Louisa are gone to watch with May. She is not as well.
Wed 28 - [at home] Making curtains. Commenced making soap. Went down to see Lib just at night. Miles came up after I had gone to bed. Wrote a letter to Eliza.
Thurs 29 - [no entry]
Fri 30 - [at home] Cleaning house. Most tired to death. Lib has got the phthisic, is about sick tonight.
Tim and Lib appear to have been "working out" at the Brown's
and Hall's. Jennie is probably Jennie Bryan and Sarah probably Sarah
Bennett. I don't know who Louisa is unless it is Tim.
When Jane says someone has gone to watch with someone it usually means the person is very sick and perhaps dying. In fact, May only had a few days to live. I presume she is a member of the Goodrich family as will be seen below.
Jane says that her sister Lib has got the phthisic. By this she was referring to asthma.
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Last revision: 30 December 1997
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