Madden Diary: Celebrating the Holidays and welcoming in New Year

When we last checked George Madden’s diary if was December, 1857.  He and his bride butchered a hog and their cabin was far enough along to move into.  

George was particularly proud of the fireplace, having made the hearth with clay removed while digging the cellar.  

He made the back and sides of stones packed with clay, the chimney of sod.  

Unfortunately the chimney did not draw well, filling the house with smoke.  

Because the fireplace was both the heating and cooking appliance, this was more than just an annoyance.  

George makes several attempts during the month to fix it, without success.  
We rejoin him as the problem is about to be remedied.  

Friday, Dec 25, 1857.  Brother Isaac and sister Sarah came to father’s last night and this morning we all went down to uncle Isaac Prickett’s for Christmas dinner.  What a fine time!  Uncle Isaac bought 360 acres at $7 per acre.

Sat, Dec 26.  Makes a pair of quilting frames.  Our livestock consists of one dog, one Shanghai chicken, a cat and four pigs.  The Mormons have declared open rebellion against the United States.  Consequently war will ensue which will bring them to their senses.  Mary and John Parish took dinner with us today.

Sunday, 27th.   I and Lizzie were married four months ago today.  The chimney does not smoke as it did.  I built a large fire and all at once the whole chimney seemed enveloped in fire.  Quite unexpectedly.  This has burned all the roots, etc., out so the chimney draws much better.  Lizzy and I attend meeting services by Rev. Wallace.  There were also services held by Rev. Allen at the school.  Mr. Wallace preached at Mr. Hinman’s wagon shop.  

Mon. Dec 28.  Fixing a house for our Shanghai chicken.  

Tuesday.  Double laying the loft.  Haul a barrel of water from the stream.  

Thursday, Dec 31.  Fixing things up around the house.  Ground is very dry.  Last day of the year.  Farewell old year, thou hast been very good to me.  

New Year.  Jan. Friday 1, 1858.  We bid you welcome, New Year, and may you be a year of blessings to us that we may be better and wiser still than in the old year which is past and gone.  I carry corn on my back 1/4 mile.  The corn is a great deal damaged and has to be sorted.  I am putting some away in my loft for bread and feeding the rest to the pigs.  I went to town to settle up with Hawley and Curtiss, merchants.  Unable to settle my bill and I am sorry for it.  The stores have closed against credit.  The hard times are beginning to be keenly felt.  Very few are able to pay their debts.  It would be a good thing if people kept clear of banks and adopt that of a specie currency.  It is said that California has yielded 350 to 450 tons in gold since it was discovered and that nearly all of it has gone to other countries.  

Sat. Jan 2.  Hauls a barrel of water.  Helps Alfred to load a saw log onto his wagon.   Doing small chores.    

Enough for this week, but because some might take the term ‘Shanghai chicken’ to mean a timid Asian, we will make a clarification.  

The Cochin breed of chicken originated in China, thus was commonly called ‘Shanghai.’   

These fowl were prized by settlers as they were hardy foragers, the Shanghai roosters grew big enough to roast, the hens reliable layers that slowed down in cold weather but didn’t quit.  

With corn in the loft to be ground for cornbread, how precious a winter egg must have been.

Roy Marshall is a local historian and columnist for the Red Oak Express. He can be contacted at news@redoakexpress.com