Sarah Jane Norton Diaries: 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.


1/15/1864: we are having good going there is a g[r]eat deal traveling

1/16/1864: I felt little better today Mrs J Mallet was here visiting this afternoon

1/17/1864: Did not go to church up to Floras a little while Aut don't like to taek care of Charlie very well and let me go

1/18/1864: I did not wash to day I was glad I did not get it for about ten oclock Anna Wills came and stayed till four. rained this afternoon Aut went hunting and shot a Rabbit

1/19/1864: Raind hard Aut went hunting did not get any thing but a good soaking Eve Ann Van Wantinberg and Lizzie Lingerd visited here this afternoon. the old saying is that if one has company on mondy they will have all of the week it looks like it now

1/20/1864: Washed. had a large wash Aut helped some. there was a town meeting to day on the hill Aut bought a peck of walnuts they are very nice ones. two dollars a bushel. Flora was here this afternoon. Lib Smith and Anna Wills called this evening

1/21/1864: Aut is choping for Theadore today. I spent the day to Floras and her mothers

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.