Sarah Jane Norton Diaries: Preparing to Leave Sharon Springs, NY

In the spring of 1864, 24-year-old Sarah Jane Norton, her 28-year-old husband Austin, and the couple's infant son Charlie emigrated from Sharon Springs, New York, to Ypsilanti. Sarah kept a diary over the next 43 years until her death in November of 1906. Her 1864 diary will be serialized here during 2012. To see all entries to date, see the "Sarah Jane Norton" tag at bottom.

At left she is pictured in 1888 at age 49. Introduction to the Norton family.

2/26/1864: Rained Aut went hunting and shot a rabbit Josh an Flora were here to tea Charlie was quite sick again this afternoon

2/27/1864: Snowed it looks as though we were a going to have sleighing

2/28/1864: Raind to day we were to Floras this afternoon took tea there Charlie acts like himself again to day. Aut spent the evening to home

2/29/1864: Washed. Mother Norton Elma and Mrs Spong were here to look at our things We think we will go west a week from Tuesday or Wednesday

3/1/1864: Hung up my clothes this morning then I went to Jack Smiths a little before noon. Mrs Lingered and Mrs Best were Charly was very cross he has a cold and cutting teeth

3/2/1864: Went to George Fondas Eve was home and Bettesy Like was there Charlie worried some

3/3/1864: Aut read till after two last Charlie woke up early. I got up at five and finished ironing I went to Mrs Wilds this forenoon and John Harppers this afternoon drawed Charlie in his wagon

These diaries were written by Sarah Jane Norton and are the property of the Norton Family. They may be used and reproduced for genealogical and historical purposes only. No commercial use is allowed without the express, written permission of Dennis Norton and no charge may be made for, nor income derived from their use.