Elizabeth Edwards and her husband, Robert Edwards, lived on Underground Road outside of Highland. This week we continue Elizabeth’s diary from June of 1864. The spelling and grammar were left as she wrote it.
June 11 – It has been cool all day, feels like frost. John, Charles and Susan was here. Jesse took J. home Robert has just got home from the mill and Leesburg.
June 12 – I don’t feel well all day. Cool and clear. Uncle William and Uncle John was here today. R. has gone to Lex. not got home yet. 9 oclock.
June 13 – The girls washed today. it is cool to day and clear. I washed my stockings, wool. Susan and children here to supper. R. hauled one load of stone and one of lime. Abbie has gone to sit up with D. Johnsons child.
June 14 – Some warmer today and clear. I baked and churned. Sis ironed. the boys ploughed corn. R. spent the afternoon at Lex. I set out 50 cabbage plants this eve. G. Conard took supper here.
Editor’s Note — Lex is short for New Lexington, which was the village of Highland’s name until sometime after 1900.
June 15 – Warm today and clear. Robert hauled 2 load of wheat to Leesburg. Sis and Charlie McCoy went to the post office Adaline and Abbie have been sewing.
June 16 – It is very warm today and Sis went home with Adaline this morning to have a good days sewing. R. took the last load of wheat to Leesburg. I baked some pies and done fifty other things.
June 17 – Warm and clear. I made a cheese, churned and baked bread. The girls was fixing their shell frames. Robert was at Lexington this afternoon.
June 18 – Hot today no rain. I baked bread and pies. Frank Miller was here today. Robert took the mason home.
June 19 – Warm as ever, the girls went to meeting and Sabbath School in the afternoon. R. went too. I went to see Maria Phillips. R. came for me in the evening. I feel very weak.
June 20 – The girls washed, I cleaned the cellar. It rained a little not much, it is very warm. No one here today, Robert is helping the mason.
Next week, we will finish the month of June in Elizabeth Edwards’ diary.
Sources: Janet Larkin of Hillsboro and “Time Travels: 200 Years of Highland County History” by Charlotte Pack.
Charlotte Pack is a local author and historian. She calls her column Time Travels.
