1863 Handwritten Civil War Era 17yr Old Teacher\'s Diary Hulda Comstock Albion NY
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1863 Handwritten Civil War Era 17yr Old Teacher\'s Diary Hulda Comstock Albion NY:
$240.39
WELCOME TO SALLYS DIARIES:
Up for saletoday is an 1863 handwritten diary that originally belonged to Hulda L.Comstock of Albion New York.Hulda was a school teacher born on September 19th, 1845. A yearafter this diary was written, on November 24th, 1864, she marriedLieutenant Henry B. Barnard. The diary mentions Henry quite a bit showing thatthe couple is courting. In the back pocket of the diary there is a partialpiece of a letter and I so wish the entire letter was there. It’s cut so youcan only make out parts of the letter but what parts there are make me believeit was from Henry as it is a very passionate letter, and the part I can readsays this…..
“Affordme to be with you…to take you in my arms… press you to my heart and…the warmkisses of love on….lips. I hear people talk about….growing cold darling thatisn’t ….experience the flame of love….just as bright and warm…today as it oncedid. If…..”
Hulda and Henryhad three children: Augusta U., James Henry, and Helen Allen. Sadly Henry diedin 1878. Henry was a Lieutenant Captain during the Civil War and fought withCompany K, Second New York Mounted Rifles. I’m not sure if Henry eventuallydied because of the wounds he received while fighting or not but I did findthis out from a report on the web……
“CaptainHenry B. Barnard, Co. K. 2nd, new York Mounted Rifles, age 27 yearswas wounded at Petersburg, July 30, 1864 by a conoidal ball, which entered theanterior aspect of the upper third of the left thigh and came out at the rightgluteal region; in its passage, it wounded the sigmoid flexure of the colon. Hewas taken to the field hospital, and, on August 3rd, was transferredto Washington and admitted into Armory SquareHospital, under the charge of SurgeonD. W. Bliss, U. S.V…..”
This report goeson to talk about his wounds and how they kept bothering him and theexaminations that took place all the way up to 1872. So, I’m assuming this iswhy he died. I’m not quite sure of thedate of her second marriage but the 1900 census shows her husband listed asClark H. Harding. It looks like Hulda outlived both of her husbands as Clark died in 1917.
So, this diarywas written while Hulda was still single and only 17 years old. She has a fullhandwritten entry for every day of the year with handwritten expenses andadditional notes on the pages in the back. It’s really a wonderful peek intothe life of a young school teacher during the Civil War…..
1863
“January 2nd, Workedall the forenoon. Pa, ma and Aunt Gussie went to Albionand brought home the new carriage. Went down to Mrs. Potter’s this afternoon,knit a mitten for her. Played Euchre this evening. Mr. Bernard spent the evehere. Ma got me a new Garabaldi and headdress also beads for a bracelet.”
“February 9th, Cameover to Albion this morning with George andmet John. Came up with a load of wood. Been to school as usual. Had quite anadventure tonight after tea, a never to be forgotten one. A bright spotstory to be remembered. “Oh surely.” Arthur Hatchman and Mr. Paddock calledtonight.”
“March 3rd,……Iremember well 1 year ago tonight.”
“March21st, Mel and I tore up this morning. Went to the Academy and got acertificate. Came back at three o’clock, got something to eat and went downstreet. John came after us and took boy and baggage. As school has closed and Iam at liberty again.”
“April 8th,Went up to Mr. Gasbott’s (the estate that they live next to) to a party. Had a splendid time. Danced andplayed Euchre all night. All the neighborhood was there and a good many more. Istaid all night. Went to bed about two o’clock. Had a real lively time.Everything passed off well.”
“May 2nd, Saturdaynoon. I’m here by the fire in this little school. Have it all to myself. Beensick all the forenoon, hardly able to teach. Sit in the chair on the north sideof the stove precisely. Helen came after me tonight and we went to Albion. I took a music lesson.”
“May 20th, Twoyears ago today we went to Albion to see thesoldiers off and 2 years today since Willie was taken sick. Heard the boys hadcome home today. Give three cheers. Came up to Mr. Nobel’s tonight, had a verygood time. May to school today.”
“May 26th,Nothing of importance occurred today. The same old thing, teaching, no changein the programme. Came up to Mr. Kimball’s again tonight. There has been agreat many passing today. I wished I could be one. Had 14 scholars today.”
“June 22nd, Camehome from Holley on the 6 o’clock train. Came down street, saw Henry and Mr.Atnoll. Henry came up with one horse and carriage. Helen brought me directly toschool. Came home tonight after school completely tired out. We much pay thefiddler.”
“July 4th, Todayis the 4th of July and so and so we must go in to spend it to thebest of our ability. Helen and I went to Albionthis afternoon. Saw anybody I ever thought of knowing. This eve. Helen andHenry and I went to the fireworks at Gains. Had lots of fun. Somebody is quitescornful. A gay old time.”
“July 11th,Worked hard all the forenoon. Isabelle here a short time this afternoon. Helentook me over to Waterport. Went to Nell Bentley’s. Will Phillips came down totea and brought me home. Had a gay ride. The darkest night I ever was out. Hecame back and staid here all night. Reached home about 11 o’clock.”
“August 8th,They all went to the Lake today from here but me, I staid at home alone. Henrycame over this eve. A very good excitement about the draft. Heard that JohnMurray was drafted. Went over to Mr. Barnard’s to hear the list of draftedmen.”
“August 13th,We all went to the picnic today. It was for the drafted men. Saw a great manythat I knew. Mr. Atwell was there. Mel and Dwight also. Henry went down, as hecame home he came back here in the eve. Staid till 11 o’clock. Am about tiredout.”
“September 8th,Pa and John Murray drawing in beans. Ma fixing my black silk shirt. John Wilsonhas not come, heard he was drunk and was locked up. Henry started for Canada today.Been pieing plums and everything. Retired at 9 o’clock.”
“October 1st,Helen and I went to Albion this afternoon. SawHenry and Atwell came home about dark. Henry went to a war meeting to Martin’shouse with Capt. Cady. Did not hear from mother.”
“October 3rd, Mahas been fixing my dress today. This afternoon I went riding with Henry. Wentover to West Kendall and from there toKuckville. Got lost, had a glorious old time. Went to a war meeting there.”
“October 21st,Been to the Institute all day. Capt. Cady addressed hour this afternoon. Thiseve went to the Dept. with Theda. Heard that Mrs. Barnard had been among whichrode down with Fred. Came back and went to a lecture with him. Had a verypleasant time.”
“November 20th,Been sewing all day on my dress. Made me a collar and under sleeves for theGrand Affair under consideration. Went down to Mrs. Beardsley after a sleevepattern. A splendid night.”
“November 30th,Today the Grand Wedding came off. Henry came down about 10 o’clock. We had goodtimes going. Got there precisely at 12. They were married at 1 and came down.Took the 4 o’clock for Rochester.Henry and I staid to singing school. Reached home about 12 and retired at 1 ½o’clock. Enjoyed myself splendidly. Weddings are grand things in their way.”
“December 31st,Helen and I ironed all the forenoon. Mrs., Miss Wood came about 1 o’clock. Paand ma went to Albion and today closescarelessly and recklessly has passed this happy and ever to be remembered yearof my life.”
There is muchmore than what I’ve quoted here. As with most diaries, a lot of names arementioned, some of which are: Potter, John Wilson, Cade, Garbutt, Judge Nott,Dan Thurston, John Burlock, Parker, John Hunter, Theda Bragg, Ophelia Ross,Libbie Brower, Jennie Pratt, Nobel, Billings, Wood, Waterman, Phillips, NellBentley, Eva Broadwell, Simpson, Hale, Dora Criswell, Weaver and more.
The diary is alittle pocket diary that measures about 2 ½” x 4”. The cover is very worn andstarting to pull away from the binding a little. The pages and binding itselflook good but there is a bit of foxing.
1863 Handwritten Civil War Era 17yr Old Teacher\'s Diary Hulda Comstock Albion NY:
$240.39