The Standard Diary
H.G. Wilmot
Thetford, Vermont
*** The Journal was kept by Haviland Wilmot and records daily events on the family’s move from Vermont to Colorado. After his death in 1912 it was probably kept by his wife, Florence, and then by his granddaughter Eleanor. Records of births, deaths and marriages are kept on pages with no connection to the dates. I have consolidated these at the end. More anecdotal notes I have moved to an appropriate date to make it easier to follow the 1883 narrative.
1-31-83
Description of my timber claim in Nebraska
SoWest quarter, section 84 in township 25 of range 31
Receipt in Spencer *** Sloan, IA
3-27-83
Helped Charlie draw wood we *** very good luck had to break a road the snow was very deep Went to school meeting this evening was a moderator hope the next time I am moderator it will be in a better or worse crazed, ramming tonight.
3-28-83
HP Cummings settled our business for us to day Priced the stock as follows:
1 Cow $40
1” $30
1” $30
1 “ $30
1 *** $28
2 Steers $115
2 1 year olds $30
9 sheep $136
3 Shoats $30
——-
469
234
1 Horse $100
334
Farm 650
$984
3-29-83
Went to Thetford Centre to mill got a shot set on the horse had the sleigh shoes fixed Bauchs bottle of chamfirated oil and a bottle of seat oil to take west with me, said goodbye to all the friends I saw I trust I shall see them all again, Charlie chaired wood with Sa. Fletchers oxen.
3-30-83
Tagged 39 sheep and helped Charlie saw the wood he has got the wood all up to the door a handsome pile of 9 cords and a good year’s stock. Went up to the depot and got a letter from Florence. I probably should go to the depot again before I go west Went down to Kings this evening.
3-31-83
I went down to Hartland Charlie carried me down 1 1/2 miles below Pampa I went a foot the rest of the way to the J- had my hair cut there payed the barber 20 bought 2 lbs of new maple sugar payed 18 cents pound When I go to H – took Berts Tram and went to Windsor after Florence sleighing poor signed the deeds tonight Bought this diary tonight payed 80 cents.
4-1-83
Spent the day at Berts Weather cold and pleasant. F and I went to church, Bert preached on the journey of the children of Israel, first rate discourse Florence and Jule have gone to bed the children. Berts children are making making noise enough to distract a saint. Bert has gone to *** to preach this evening I shall go home tomorrow and Flossie will go back to Windsor.
4-2-83
Clear and pleasant a good day *** sap the first one we have had this year Left Berts for home 1 pm Flossie went to Windsor at the same hour. Met fields at H and fixed business all night Bought my ticket of EM Lewis paid 30,50 first class to Sioux City Iowa Walked up on Pampa took supper at Kinneys.
4-3-83
Bright and pleasant left HR for the west 2:10 pm. Arrived at Montreal 8:50 pm Left there at 10:10 pm on the Ed Enright & MB Hart were my *** I did not take a sleeper and consequently did not rest any I have not been homesick yet. Canada is a pretty rough country but I liked it very much I mailed a postal to Charlie and Florence at Montreal.
4-4-83
Clear and pleasant. I did not get much rest last night feel pretty well today Wer are going down through C. at good speed. Have seen Coke, Ontario it is as large as the whole state of Vermont I am not homesick but all am ***. I took a sleeping car there payed 15 cents are expecting to *** Michigan.
4-5-83
Had a good nights rest last night and the weather is rainy but warm. We are crossing the NOWest corner of Indiana Arrived in Chicago 1 pm ***west until 9:30 pm I have looked the city over some saw the Palmer House which is the nicest in the country Mailed a postal to Florence and Charlie. I am tired but not homesick.
4-6-83
Cloudy took a sleeper last night, had a good rest. Paid *** a piece. Arrived to the V*** 5:30 pm the sky is clear and in my pleaant took supper at the *** and have arrived at Sloan 11:30 tonight. Put up at the hotel. Did not see Mr. Clough ** I have got the ***
4-7-83
Mr. Clough took us out to a Asise this morning We had a splendid time. The weather is warmer and pleasant every one is very friendly to me. I am well pleased with Sloan.
4-8-83
Clear but very windy Fires are burning on the prairie. Clough took us to a drive. Went out on the prairie. Had a good time. I wrote Charlie and Flossie a letter to day. Homesick tonight. We went to the organizing meeting I don’t like such preaching as we heard.
4-9-83
Clear and windy. I have been to work for Clough today and dreadful homesick. Want to see little girl and mother and Charlie. I am not sorry I came here. I *** dreadfully Charlie and Flossie’s letters and on their way Chas gone to Chicago.
4-18-83
Commenced work for HH Clough this day am to work 4 or 5 yearly months $2300 per month and board.
7-22-83
Thursday noon July 23 Went to walk from JL. Oakes and here I am with nothing but my health and ambition. My dear wife and boy are looking at me for a home and I pray god that I may be able to get them one soon I find them the best anyone one can ***.
7-21-1891
Tuesday, July 21/91 Left *** for Pueblo, Colorado
Wednesday 22 arrived at Denver walked down to Oakes 7 miles South.
10-3-1891
Denver Colorado Monday Oct. 3, 1891 went to work for the Summit Fuel and Feed Co.
10-7-1891
Wednesday, Oct 7, 1891 Florence and Carl came to Denver.
2-28-1897
WK McCole came to Denver the 28th day of February 1897
Died in Denver Oct 15 before 9 + 10 am 1898
11-1900
Thanksgiving 1900 evening 6pm. We are well and happy have much to be thankful for. Florence sewing in fancy needle. Carl sending. May we always be as well and happy on future Thanksgiving eves.
HG Wilmot, Florence Wilmot, Carlos A. Wilmot.
This has been a perfect day no snow on the ground.
8-19-1902
Tuesday August 19, 1902 bought 7 room modern house lots 50 x 125 feet se corner 4201 Forest Street Denver Colorado of Patrick Rudgers consideration 3000.00 paid 1800.00 Rudgers holds note 200 payable June 1 1903 benman Boston Building Note $1000 due in three years interest payable semiannually of 6 percent Insured for 1500. Van Camp add lots 18 and 19 blk 2.
8-25-1902
Monday August 25, 1902 moved in our new home.
2-7-1903
Florence left for Vermont Feb’y 7, 1903 her Father died March 5th. She came home May 16th.
9-1904
Carl A. Wilmot married September 1904
Carl A. Wilmot commenced May 6 for FC Ayers Mer Co as Mgr 6 months June to Sept 6th 1909.
12-6-1910
Sunday June 12, 1910 Left on Rock Island for Vermont.
5-21-1913
I left Denver May 21, 1913 on 11:30 Rock Island train for Chicago. Left Chicago May 27 reached Kinneys 4:30 May 29
11-1914
Came back to Denver Nov. 1914
Marriages and Births (interspersed throughout)
Don Carlos Wilmot, Born July 12, 1816, Died March 18, 1875 – Haviland’s father
Lucy A. Graham, Born August 29, 1821, Died Sept 3 1892 – Haviland’s mother
Herbert, Born July 21, 1854, Sept 17, 1855 – Haviland’s brother
Annabel K. Wilmot, Died Dec. 15 1873, Lowell Mass – Haviland’s sister
Grandpa Joseph Wilmot, Died March 25 1862, Aged 76 Years 4 months
His Wife Mary D. Freeman, Died May 31 1861, Aged 77 years 1 month
Laura L, Died April 28 1879, In the 60th year of age – Haviland’s paternal aunt
Uncle Joe Died Monday August 24th 10 pm, 1896 Born Dec 7, 1826 – Haviland’s paternal uncle
Aunt Siri, Died April 20 1900 – Haviland’s aunt Lucina Graham Wilmot
Sunday, July 8th AM 1903, Jude, rest in peace, You was faithful and we loved you
Carl Haviland Wilmot born April 3rd 1906, Married September 20, 1929 Ruth Ditter (Oct 8) – grandson
Clifford Graham Wilmot, Born May 30, 1907, Married Bernice Warner Nov 28, 1937 – grandson
Kenneth V. Wilmot, Born July 14, 1909, Married June 6, 1919 Betty Poshir
*** Born Wednesday, am Nov 23, 1910, Married Wilma Lawson Nov 25, 1933 – refers to grandson Norman Wilmot
Haviland G. Wilmot Died Mar 4, 1912 2:45 AM – Haviland’s death entered probably by his wife
Genevieve Carol Wilmot, Born Dec 15, 1915 – granddaughter
Eleanor May Wilmot Mar 23, 1920 – granddaughter
Baby girl born March 9, 1928 – granddaughter Luella Wilmot
Carl Haviland Wilmot Jr, Born Apr 20, 1930 8:45am – great grandson
Albert John Aug 11, 1937, Ralph born mar 11, 1934 – great grandson
Kenneth Eugene, born Nov 19, 1930 – great grandson
Dorothy born April 2, 1934
Norman jr July 23, 1937
Married Chester A. Ryerearsib June 9, 1934
Married Kenneth Burn Sept 18, 1938 Apr 14
Genevieve C. Wilmot was married to Chester A. Ryerearson June 9, 1934 on her graduation day from North High.
Chester A. Ryerearson died June 13, 1936 was buried at Corwn Hill June 16 would have been 27 years old on July 2, 1936.
A very fine young man.
Florence Cecelia Wilmot, Died June 7th 1942 1:45 am, Born Oct 16, 1858, Sunday 1:45 am June 7th 1942 at rest.