How Madden celebrated the Holidays
I thought it might be good, during this holiday season, to check George Madden’s diary for the same time of year. He and Lizzie do not do a great deal of celebrating. During the years of his diary—from 1855 to the early 1860s—he makes no mention of Thanksgiving. Pilgrims might have feasted, but for George and Lizzie it was just another day. Christmas was observed.
Theirs, however, was considerably different than ours. Here are some entries from Madden’s journal of 1858:
Sunday, Nov 30. Today we went to hear an old man preach of the Christian church, known as the Cambellite church. He is about 60 years old and very plainly dressed. It is said he never went to school a day in his life. His name is Hobbs. Lizzie and I have been married 14 months. Time is passing and eternity draws near.
Wed., Dec 1. Gathers in one load of corn. Snowstorm strikes and lasts all day. Gets some lime and plasters around the north door. Very cold and strong wind driving in snow.
Sat., Dec 4. Cold morning. Frosty. Pulls 3 loads of corn from snow 5 or 6 inches deep.
Sunday, Dec 5. We have been in our house one year today. Snow continues. Now 11 or 12 inches deep on a level. We go to meeting but suffer considerably from the cold.
Tues., Dec 7. Today mother is 52 years old. Her age is bringing her nearer the tomb. She is very unwell. May her last days be as a Christian. Get in 3 loads of corn.
Thurs., Dec 9. Cold. Gets in 2 loads of corn for father. His rent is now paid. Lizzie spins some rolls at McFarlands, the first spinning of her life.
Monday, Dec 13. Today father and I took our hogs to town. Over 200 pounds and under 250 pounds got $3 per hundredweight, net.
Wed., Dec 15. Mr. Sickles, who came here from Michigan, was here wanting to buy some corn. I sell him 100 bushels at 25c per bushel. Have paid some bills.
Monday, Dec 20. Went to see Squire Thompson today about a note. I am being sued. I have never yet been sued in my life and I dread it. Yet there is hardly a person here who has not been sued since the hard times set in. More snow.
Wed., Dec 22. Cold wind from the east. Husks 14 1/2 bushels of corn. A donation party is being made for the Reverend Mr. House, a Methodist preacher.
Friday, Dec 24. I go down to Page County with a load of provisions for Brother Cole, our circuit preacher. I give him 2 bushel of parsnips and two bushel of potatoes and also one dollar in money. Father gives him 1 1/2 bushel of corn meal and 1 bushel of buckwheat. The whole load amounted to something over $17 worth.
Saturday, Dec 25. Went to the mill. A dull Christmas. Went home and read the bible.
Friday, Dec. 31. Chopping wood. Good-bye old year. Thou will leave a record of wonders.
That’s it. No Black Friday. He gives the preacher some parsnips and potatoes, but no mention of a gift exchange with Lizzie. While ministers today might think George Madden had his priorities in order, wives and children would probably not.
As he does at other times in his journal, Madden makes reference to his mother’s failing health, her apparently impending death.
He doesn’t know it, but the war that will take his life is only months away.
Roy Marshall is a local historian and columnist for the Red Oak Express. He can be contacted at news@redoakexpress.com.