This 1878 pocket diary records the daily farming activities of Newton Persons as well as the farm's production and employment. It includes weather information as well as details on neighbors and family members. He also visited friends and relatives in Indiana and met his future wife, Phebe Grills. The diary records their wedding on September 19, 1878. Daily entries consist of a few short lines, and the book contains a cash account, calendars, and other information.
Theodore Barrett wrote to his future wife, Georgia McKee. He is worried about her health as she suffers from a cold. He told her that he will wait to purchase furniture for the house. He also told her about selling hay to his neighbor Youngquist.
Theodore Barrett wrote to his future wife, Georgia McKee. Even though he wrote in the morning, he is writing again in the evening. Writing in the morning makes his day go better. Writing in the evening helps him sleep better. He wrote of all the people moving to the area and the several visitors he had during the day. He wrote of seeing Mr. Hodgson about purchasing trees, enough to plant 5 to 15 acres. He feels better because he has gotten rid of his anxieties about expenses and buildings.
Theodore Barrett wrote to his future wife, Geoergia McKee. The factory where the doors and windows for the house were being made burned down. He reported that the wheat has begun to sprout. He had been reading about Egyptian farms.
Theodore Barrett wote to his future wife. He intended to write a long letter but he had written four others and time got away from him. He told her he will have a black pair of pants. The weather has been favorable for planting. The well has been dug. He worried that Georgia will be disappointed at how little has been done on the house.
Theodore Barrett wrote to his future wife, Georgia McKee. His friend from St. Cloud stayed three days, not allowing him time to write to Georgia. He described his excitement to find the first wheat coming up. They have just over a week of planting wheat, oats and barley, left to do. He told of the need for rain.
Theodore Barrett wrote to his future wife, Geogia McKee, about his mood. He also wrote about changes he was making to the plans for his house after a windstorm blew down a house being built in nearby Herman, Minnesota.
Theodore Barrett wrote to his future wife, Georgia McKee. As they prepare for planting wheat, the Parable of the Sower, from the Bible, comes to his mind. He tells of new people who have moved to the farm (likely as farm hands). He is counting the days until the two will be together.
Theodore Barrett wrote to his future wife, Georgia McKee. He wrote from Herman, Minnesota where he went to pick up his mail. While there he purchased a load of oats. He told of the large wheat field planted and having faith the weather will provide a good crop. He told of receiving the bill for the 201-pound bell he purchased for the Herman school. He is growing impatient for the time when they will be together.
Theodore Barrett wrote to his future wife, Georgia McKee, about spring farm work starting at the farm. Ice is still on the lakes and the ice house is full of ice for summer. He also writes about the progress on buiding their house, and will wait until she arrives to make some of the decisions.
Theodore Barrett wrote to his future wife, Georgia McKee. He contemplated the past and the future at his farm. He would like to find a photographer to document the progress of establishing his farm.