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. In this installment, she is on summer break, spending the days at home in Adams and at the family camp on Henderson Harbor.
Monday, July 6
The day very warm, being almost 90° in the shade. Picked last of the peas this A.M. and served. Made salad dressing after dinner and then went down to office. Came home early and made a chicken salad. Walked up with Alma who had been down to the Harbor. After supper I finished “Lorna Doone.” I liked it immensely.
Went up to Spicer’s with Sarah after eggs and then walked down to see Jessie. She came up a piece with me and Herb Williams overtook us. He walked on home with me. Card from Ruth Holmes.
Tuesday, July 7
Letters from Dora [her older sister] and Hubert Jenkins. Dora left hospital Monday and will be able to start [back east] about the 20th. Mr. Cooper is not well to-day. Father came up and harnessed and we all went to S.S. picnic in Laurence grove. For fear of a shower, we came home early. Had splendid rain about 4 o’clock, which we need greatly as heat was intense. After supper I went down to see Jessie and had such a good time with her.
Wednesday, July 8
After breakfast made a cake. Went down to the office. Frosted cake after dinner. Called on Mrs. Louis Bartlett, Mrs. Lawson and Miss Kellogg, the last being the only one at home. Made egg and lettuce salad for supper. Edna [her other sister] is laboring with a bathing suit. After supper we — Alma; Edith and Viva Baker — went around to see about a picnic. Tried to call up Henry Brown but could not get him. Herb & Edith with me. [Mabel would marry Henry Brown in 1916.]
Thursday, July 9
Called up different people to see about a picnic at Draper’s and then went down to post books. After dinner I packed up for the picnic and went to ball game with Edna. Sat on Mrs. Young’s porch. Helped Edith make sandwiches. Mother came home from Watertown, where she went for dentistry, and brot me a brown and white waist. At 4 Herb took Viva Baker, Edith, Louise and I down to Draper’s. Alma brot down Holley Greene, Carl H., Florence Buell and Nettie Brown. Archie and Fred Osborne came later. Louise and I drove home with Mr. Osborne and up to Center. Night beautiful.
Friday, July 10
Herb did not bring our baskets home, so Louise and I went up early and helped ourselves. Alma gave us kodak pictures of Georgia. About 10:30 father, Edna and I started for Henderson. Mother could not go on account of Mr. Cooper’s illness. Reached here about 2 and had dinner at 3. As Edna and I were tired, we rested after dinner but father took off blinds, doors etc. Went down to see Mrs. Waite. Went across in the evening. I rowed home around by Tyler’s. Went to bed at nine.
Saturday, July 11
Jo’s birthday. Edna got most of breakfast while I slept. Very warm. Busy most of the morning putting up draperies and curtains. I was upstairs working when who should drive in but Sarah and mother in a livery. Sarah staid until about 4 and then went home. I went in bathing off the Waite dock, Mr. and Mrs. Waite and Franklin took Edna and me across in their motor skiff “The Dragon.” Had our bread and milk late and then rowed across for meal. Electricians sent out a flash light from their island.
Sunday, July 12
Staid in bed while mother and Edna got breakfast. Edna made a chocolate pudding. Put up curtain and round beam with Stars and Stripes in the dining room. Edna and I put up pictures. After dinner we discussed the Bixbys and I read “Kim.” The Waites came down in their auto. Billy is dear. Father and mother rowed over to Cedarwood and later Edna and I were out on water for a long time. Edna popped corn.
Photos: Mabel Allen; Henry Brown, her future husband.
Read more from Mabel’s Diary.
Leave a Reply