Mabel Allen’s 1908 Diary: Summer at Henderson Harbor

Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) grew up in the village of Adams in Jefferson County. In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Mabel, as she was known, kept a diary which New York Almanack is publishing each week. This week she was enjoying summer at Henderson Harbor on Lake Ontario.

Monday, July 20

Edna and I rowed across [Henderson Harbor] to mail some letters. The bay was beautiful, like glass. When we came back, we went in bathing with Bertha and Alice. I made a bean salad for dinner. Lynden came up to see us in the afternoon and we took him out for a short row.

Went over to see Mrs. Bickford, her baby and the rest. After lunch we rowed across after the mail. Had a letter from Jo — a splendid one. Sat out on porch and after we went to bed. Edna [her sister] read aloud “His Courtship” by Helen Martin.

Tuesday, July 21

The rain simply poured all day, so Edna and I accomplished something with our bathing suits We finished His Courtship. Just before supper Edna taught me “Cribbage” and afterwards we played ball up on the porch where Nelly Hart brot back some butter. Franklin Waite later brot us letters — one from Jessie Torrey and another from Syracuse — my yearly report. Edna had a letter saying Miss Bennett had undergone a very serious operation.

Wednesday, July 22

Wrote to Fuzzie and Aunt Chub. Went across with Edna to mail the letters and buy groceries and bacon, After dinner we sailed over to Snowshoe to see Mr. and Mrs. Harry Foreman and Cousins Angie and Charlie. The latter we missed because they were out fishing. Read The Woman of the Alcove.

Stopped at the Ripley cottage. Found a letter from mother saying their trip would be delayed on account of Bishop Van Buren’s visit. Heard to-day of Lillian Brown’s marriage.

Thursday, July 23

Mrs. Waite called to see us and told us Lillian Brown had been married since May. Lynden was up just about all day and I spent the time reading and playing with him. After dinner which I cooked, Edna finished her bathing suit and we went in swimming. Mrs. Waite was up before lunch. Afterwards we went for a walk and sat on an old log by the road. Jack barked at us when we came down. Edna found 2 letters awaiting her. Edna read aloud after we went to bed.

Friday, July 24

Finished The Woman in the Alcove. Wrote to Rollin Thompson [a suitor]. Got the dinner of rice cakes and cottage pudding. Bertha brot mail telling of Miss Bennett’s death. Post card from mother saying they would not be down. Shampooed hair.

Fresh northeaster, so Rob Waite took us with Bertha, sailing. Ice-box empty. Called at Ripley cottage. Walked up on hill. Cousins Angie and Charie called. Mrs. Bickford and her sister, Mrs. Kelley, came over. Bert and Alice brot letters, one from Rollin. Edna read “Kim” while I played solitaire.

Saturday, July 25

Awoke with a headache. Washed out white waist and made Dutch cheese. Father and mother drove down with Mr. Cooper’s horse as Jenn was so lame.

After dinner father and Edna sailed across and I read the Ladies’ Home Journal. Went out for short row with Edna. I got the supper. Edna, father and I rowed across and the water was beautiful. Hammock broke down with father. All sat outdoors and mother recited poetry.

Sunday, July 26

Edna got the breakfast and I slept. Went in to the retreat and wrote to Bess Wright and Lu. Went back to cottage and bothered Edna, who was reading Kim, while father and mother were at Cedarwood.

After dinner I read some and we all went out in the boat along the shore. Saw negro soldiers fishing in a punt and an American redstart. The Harts and Alice and Bert went home because of sickness. Edna and I went out on water in evening.

Read more from Mabel’s Diary.

Photos: Mabel Allen, Episcopal Bishop James Heartt Van Buren