John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, Page 49

[John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, page 49. Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing scans of the original document, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source. This is my rough transcription. Extra paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading.]

[continued] mean sentiment, could forgive him for being mean, but not for expressing it under the circumstances, When a stranger [?], he should always bear a high and noble sentiment, because what people hear a total stranger say, the always recalled[?], and to get such sentiments impressed is the object of all [?], preachers and teachers.

Passenger) "What place is this?"
Cond[uctor) "Woodpile!" -- general laugh[ter] --

-- Sonora, or some like name [probably West Sonora, Ohio].

-- Country more broken, hardly equal to the incomparable Miami valley, but excellent settlements springing up as if new country. Village with the stumps still, and streets partly in wood, Everything raw and crude.

This allows me, alltogether [altogether], to imagine myself in western Iowa with Mary. I fancy what she would say on looking hereabout as her home with me, would her Eyes fill with tears, would her heart sink, and would hope dip his wing in tears and resign the upper air, and would she hide it all, and say only, only say, "It is night!"

[John Milton Binckley (1831-1878).
Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel (1838-1930).]

John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, Page 31

[John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, page 31. Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing scans of the original document, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source. This is my rough transcription. Extra paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading.]

[continued] [to] make rails, or rot in the filth of a hog pen.

As I passed on my way, I think of Mary, conceive myself on my way to the west with her by my side, sharing in the speculations of the hour.  Expectation shall dance before her, and hope shall blossom on her cheek and beam from her upturned eye as she leans on my shoulder as we sit, for she is now fatigued with the travel all night from Washington.

The country grows finer, day plunges with all the energy of a reformer over down the hill and over the fence at the train, dashing headlong down an inclosed plane like the augurs of the faith in mad frantic vehemence seeking to arrest the irresistible procession of science and demonstration in this stream energised age, or undertaking even to overtake its swift and sweeping train (There! I have reminded myself of the pun of John Alden about Bob Page, where who was notorious for multiplying engagements beyond his power of fulfillment. John said, when Bob advertised as an undertaker, "If Bob Page is only an undertaker, I'd like to know who the d[evi]l is an overtaker."[)]  

[to be continued.]  

[John Milton Binckley (1831-1878).
Mary = Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel (1838-1930).]

John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, Page 25

[John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, page 25. Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing scans of the original document, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source. This is my rough transcription. Extra paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading.]

[continued] morbid apprehension and initiation.

The morning is beautiful, & the town roofs gleam with almost a splendor in the sun. Beyond this place, the country continues broken and rugged, resembling much the Hocking country.

Feeling that I might be able to do so, I court a small cat nap. Am uncertain whether in an hour's trial, succeeded at all.

Tunnels. They are lighting the Camps. The mile tunnel is therefore near.

Out of tobacco, here behind a plain genteel old man. Take the liberty to ask him for a supply. He furnishes if promptly. Find him Mr. Scott of near Fredericksburg Va on way to Kansas. Knows several I know.

Here we go through a lovely region, all golden with the beauties of morn. Pretty cold. I retire to a corner seat, and looking out, muse. 

Mary's daguerreotype, tunnel now & then casts my [?] and [?] into darkness, only a moment, & I emerge with them, I with the smile of Mary still upon me from the picture. Well, sure Enough, I am a foolish lover. 

[To be continued.]  

[John Milton Binckley (1831-1878).
Mary = Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel (1838-1930)] 

John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, Page 10

Map of Knoxville and Weverton, Maryland  (1858). Library of Congress*

[John Milton Binckley, June 1859 Travel Diary, page 10. Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing scans of the original document, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source.]

Mother has fallen in with some very nice ladies, old & young from Richmond.

We fall now upon the Potomac & canal. A boat, resembling in windows etc., a fortress, is getting is getting along at her best speed, & has the national flag at Each End.

An old lady, not observing any motion, inquires “whether that house is a government Arsenal.”

Buckeystown, or like name, another village, with a long bridge over Potomac, don’t know name of it.

We are now approaching the mountains, and as Twilight comes on, The scene grows wilder.

At Weverton or Knoxville (one name on church, other on goods boxes lying about) a very wild and beautiful scene, a crazy mountain side, offers a month’s study for an artist.

Above this, still on canal, a boat passes, desk covered with pretty girls in whose midst a soldier in uniform is cutting the gayest swagger and muster-man capers, to the envy of the unknightly boatsmen & the admiration of – why of course, of women. I wanted one to fall overboard so as to

[Marginal note, perpendicular to the above text, possibly in the handwriting of Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel (Binckley):]

Many a time, as I watched sunrise or sunset glories gild this lovely spot would I sigh for the artist gift that I might seize and make immortal the beauties around me. Now, I transfer my artist hopes and dreams to you. 

[John Milton Binckley (1831-1878).

Mother = Charlotte Stocker Binckley (1788-1877).
Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel Binckley (1838-1930).
Weverton and Knoxville were located on the Baltimore & Ohio rail and Chesapeake & Ohio canal lines, just north of the Potomac River and the Virginia boundary line. 
*Link to entire map of Frederick County, Maryland here.]

John Milton Binckley to Charlotte Stocker Binckley, November 10, 1862

[John Milton Binckley at Washington City to Charlotte Stocker Binckley, November 10, 1862. Extra paragraph breaks added for easier reading.

[Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing a scan of the original document, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source.]

                                                                    Wash DC 10 Nov 62

My dear Mother

I have your letter of the 31 and answer it in bed. I am a little better of about 11 days' illness complicated with some serious derangements of which jaundice is the last shape the thig has taken and I am deeply salivated now I have not for five days & nights partaken of so much nourishment as is contained in a cup of coffee -- not more than a spoonful of which I can take at once. So you see I can fast as well as eat.

I am in no danger but that of losing my patience & breaking down my poor wife.

I would certainly not write now but when I saw the pile of letters & business which have accumulated before me, I am afraid to put off anything.

We were greatly surprised at what you say of naming the newcomer. Knowing your lifelong detestation of what is the dearest name on Earth to me, Charlotte, as well as Sister's equal dislike, it never entered my mind that you would desire it. We did indeed think of giving you the naming of the child according to your fancy, but I was determined that Mary should have her fancy -- not mine, & not anybody's.

I knew she had some name she would prefer, and after my standing and solitary condition, to wit = that it should be a single name & short; I would not permit her to consult about it. 

At last it came out, Rosalie -- and a very pretty name with Binckley, I think, too.  Now she has one child after her fancy. I, one after mine (Ellen). Father's name was almost a devotion, & Allen's naming his John Henry was almost the act of the whole family.

If 40 boys were born in the family, I would be for naming the fortieth John if all the others should die.  

It seems ridiculous to ask why George don't write.  If he will just say he gets my letters, I'll write on.

Poor George! If I could only continue some way for him to live here!

As to your PH -- I deeply deplore the settled gloom which seems to envelop him, & from but which I no more hear  his solemnly melting words.

By this time I suppose you are at Allen's from what you wrote. Tell me in your next all about PH and Allen's children.

If we do not look out better, we will have families grown up about us before they learn each other's names.

Adieu my dear Mother and I will go to my pillow
                                   Milton  

[Mary = Mary Louisa Michel Binckley (1838-1930).
John Milton Binckley (1831-1878).
Mother = Charlotte Stocker Binckley (1788-1877).
Rosalie Binckley (October 1862-June 15, 1864).
Ellen = Ellen/Nellie/Nella Fontaine Binckley (1860-1951).
George = George Michael Binckley (1828-1885).
PH = Philander H. [Henry?] Binckley (1826-1898).
Allen = Allen Otho Binckley (1826-1876).
John Henry = John Henry Binckley (1861-1948), named after John Henry Binckley (1788-1849).]

"Mrs. M. L. Binckley Dies at Age of 92" (January 1930)

[Newspaper clipping, Washington, D.C., January 19, 1930.

Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing a scan of the original document, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source.]

MRS. M. L. BINCKLEY DIES AT AGE OF 92

Niece of Gen. Johnston, She Was Long Prominent in Society Here.
KNEW HAMILTON'S WIFE

Mrs. Mary Louise Binckley, long among the most prominent women in Washington society, died yesterday at the age of 92 years. She was the widow of John M. Binckley, Assistant Attorney General during the Johnston administration, and at one time an editor of the National Intelligencer.

When she was only 10 years old Mrs. Binckley, then Mary Louise Michel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Michel, enjoyed the intimate friendship of Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, who, then 90 years old, was in Washington to assist Edward Johnston, at that time editor of the Intelligencer, in editing the Hamilton papers. Binckley was a niece of Mr. Johnston, and also of Gen[.] Joseph E. Johnston.

Several years ago Mrs. Binckley started to write her impressions of old Washington, but the task was never completed, although a paper she prepared was read before the Columbia Historical Society in 1928 by John B. Larner.

Mrs. Binckley is survived by three children, Col. George S. Binckley, of Los Angeles, and Miss Nellie F. Binckley and Mrs. Thomas Armat, of Washington.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 o'clock tomorrow morning by the Rev. H. H. D. Sterrett, rector of All Souls' Espiscopal Church, at the chapel of Oak Hill Cemetery, where burial will be made. 

[Mary Louisa/Louise Mitchell/Michel Binckley (February 16, 1838-January 18, 1930).
Mrs. Alexander Hamilton = Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton (1757-1854).
Edward Johnston = Edward William Johnston (1799-1867). Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Michel = Harvey Mitchell/Michel (1799-1866) and Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892).
John Milton Binckley (1831-1878).
Mrs. Thomas Armat = Mary "May" Binckley Armat (1875-1969).
Thomas Armat (1866-1948).
Miss Nellie E. Binckley = Ellen/Nellie/Nella Fontaine Binckley (1860-1951).
Colonel George S. Binckley - George Sydney Binckley (1870-1941).
Rev. H. H. D. Sterrett = Henry Hatch Dent Sterrett, Sr. (1880-1953). ] 

"Mrs. Mary Binckley Succumbs in East" (1930)

[Newspaper clipping, presumably California, circa January 1930.

Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing a scan of the original document, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source.]

Mrs. Mary Binckley Succumbs in East

Word of the death in Washington, D.C., recently of Mrs. Mary Louis Binckley, formerly resident in San Francisco, at the age of 92 year, was received here yesterday. Mrs. Binckley, long a leader in capital society, as a child was a friend of Mrs. Alexander Hamilton. Mrs. Binckley, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Michel, was the widow of John M. Binckley, assistant Attorney General of the United States during President Johnson's administration. She was buried at Washington. Surviving are Mrs. Thomas Armat of Washington, wife of the inventor of the first moving picture projection machine, and Miss Nellie E. Binckley, also of Washington, and Colonel George S. Binckley of Los Angeles, a son. 

[Mary Louisa/Louise Mitchell/Michel Binckley (February 16, 1838-January 18, 1930).
Mrs. Alexander Hamilton = Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton (1757-1854).
Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Michel = Harvey Mitchell/Michel (1799-1866) and Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892).
John Milton Binckley (1831-1878).
Mrs. Thomas Armat = Mary "May" Binckley Armat (1875-1969).
Thomas Armat (1866-1948).
Miss Nellie E. Binckley = Ellen/Nellie/Nella Fontaine Binckley (1860-1951).
Colonel George S. Binckley - George Sydney Binckley (1870-1941).] 

Mary Louisa Michel Binckley to Charlotte Stocker Binckley, December 14, 1862

[Mary Louisa/Louise Mitchell/Michel Binckley at Washington [City] to Charlotte Stocker Binckley at [Burlington(?), Iowa], December 14, 1862.  Paragraph breaks added for easier reading.

Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing scans of the original document, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source.]

                                                           Washington Dec. 14th 1862

My dear mother Binckley

Your most welcome letter was duly received, and the only regret it caused was that you should [not] have thought for an instant that I would allow myself to be hurt by your seeming neglect. No, I know too well how difficult it is for you to write now, and am thankful that you can, and do have the patience to accomplish even an occasional letter. So do not I beg of you, allow that idea to trouble you again, but just write when you feel like it, and be assured I will wait patiently, and receive any thing from your pen gladly.  

It has been so long since I wrote, and I have so many things to talk of, I scarcely know where to begin. Mother had been gone only two weeks and I was just beginning to get the house straight, and myself a little used to housekeeper's harness, when poor little Rosalie made her appearance, at least a month sooner than I had expected. I was alarmed at first, thinking that the unusual exertions I had made after mother went had injured me, but the Doctor assured me every thing was right, and Milton was so glad it was all safely over, that I was glad myself finally.

Of my troubles during the last two months it is useless to speak now. I think they are pretty much over now and I do hope brighter days are in store for us. Milton has recovered entirely from the severe spell he had when baby was about a month old.

Baby herself is not so cross, does no cry so continually, and I myself am pretty well now. The violent cold and cough I had when I first left my room has left me entirely, with neuralgia to be sure, but that you know one gets used to. 

I have got the house straight at last for the winter do begin to feel as if I could draw a fine breath. Our winter had begin unusually soon -- we have had two snows already and one very cold spell the last week in November. I am sorry for it not only because I dislike cold weather, but fuel is so high this season that fire is a heavy items of expense. 

This is a hard winter for us, but when I think of our family still entirely in the midst of this terrible war which is making so many widows and orphans I must confess that our trials are comparatively easy to bear. Lately especially I have had peculiar cause for thankfulness. The house where mother and Sue were boarding, a fine old-fashioned place, took fire Thanksgiving night and burnt to the ground, and Sue and mother both made narrow escapes. 

Sue had not gone to sleep as early as usual and as the fire broke out just over her room, she would have been surrounded by flames and suffocated if she had gone to bed at the usual time. Poor Susie! Mother says she did behave so well, showed the self possession and energy of a woman and managed to save nearly all their clothes, besides many things belonging to the family. Mother was trying to save things upstairs when the stairway caught, and she just did escape. 

It fills me with horror to think of that night. Poor mother lost a chest packed with all her old relics, mementoes of the past -- old books, drawings, letters, in short every thing of that kind that she valued on earth, and I know what a trial it has been to her by the grief it has caused me. 

They are living now in an old uninhabited house in the neighborhood, but it is cold and comfortless and [they] hope soon to be able to fix up the old house father bought and go with that. I expect mother will write to you soon, when she feels a little more settled, and can get together some writing materials. Every thing of that kind was burnt.

Father is going down to see them for a few days Christmas principally to take down various things which they are in need of. I will have to spend at least two days this week shopping for the Moores and mother, for you know some things are more trouble to get large ones.

I was so disappointed last week. Mr. Field had been trying to get leave of absence to make a visit to his family in Burlington, and for some days thought he could. I was going down [the] street to take my Christmas treat in fixing up a little box to send you by him, when he announced he had been refused leave. Saturday evening he did get leave, but too late for me to do anything, and I had to let him go without one thing for you, knowing too that my only chance was gone for we cannot afford the expenses this year.

[D]ear mother, will you accept from me as the only substitute I can offer, the first money I earned by working a pair of shoulder-straps? I consecrated it to you as I worked, and hope you will get with it some little thing for your own personal use or gratification. I only wish it could be multiplied a thousand times, so that we could transport you to our own fireside.

If we could have you and brother George here it would be Christmas indeed -- my own family have all left me, I cannot have my husband with me, and the social season will be lonely and saddened.

I heard from Willie not long ago through a lady who had just come on -- he was doing well and in better health than he had been for years. All our relations, as far as we can hear are well.

As for news here, I can give you but little; I have not visited, or gone out except on business for months.

Katy Ridgely came by in the carriage 3 months ago to show me her baby -- a fine boy, some six weeks old then. She herself looked badly, had lost her hair and was evidently worsted.

Susie[?] and Mary are well but much occupied -- Mary by constant company, and Susie[?] by nursing first Mary, who had hooping-cough badly in the fall, and now old Mrs. Cromwell who is sick constantly. Emma's bad health makes her of little service.

I suppose Milton wrote to you that we had heard of Erskine Stuart's folks. They had come into possession of the property left Mrs. Stuart* and were in Richmond living in style, and Fannie to be married soon. All were well. I haven't heard from the Alexandria Stuarts. 

I will have to stop . . . baby is crying for me, and I have to keep Nellie in my sight continually or she is in some mischief -- her last exploit was to get the scissors, hide under the table and cut all the hair off one side of her head! [I]t curled so prettily too. I took a good cry.  Good bye
                                                                                             In haste
                                                                                                Lou

[John Milton Binckley (circa 1831-1878).

Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel Binckley (1838-1930).  Children up to that time:  Ellen / Nellie / Nella (Fontaine) Binckley (1860-1951), Rosalie Binckley (October 1862-June 1864). 
Mother Binckley = Charlotte Stocker Binckley (1788-1877).
Mother = Jane Mary Wood Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892).
Father = Harvey Mitchell/Michel (1799-1866).
Sue = Sue Henry Mitchell/Michel (1845-1940).
Willie = William Manning Mitchell/Michel (1839-1908).
George = George Michael Binckley (1828-1885). 

*Frances "Fannie" Elizabeth Glenn Stewart (1825-1913) – wife of James Erskine Stewart (1814-1890), who served as law clerk with the US Department of the Interior, 1852-1861; Frances “Fannie” Stewart (ca. 1845-?) was their daughter.]

John Milton Binckley to Maria Jackson Binckley, October 7, 1859

John Milton Binckley (circa 1831-1878)

[John Milton Binckley at Washington, D.C., to Maria J. Jackson Binckley at [n.p.], October 7, 1859. Paragraph breaks added for easier reading.

Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing scans of the original document, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source.]

                                                           Wash DC  7th Oct 59
Dear Sister

I have a bushel & a half of unanswered letters & can only choose between neglecting alltogether [altogether] or giving a line to each one.

If you intend to punish me for not writing by a like silence, why I think you have punished long enough now, & in consideratioon especially of my present circumstances, you must write soon.

As to Allen, I have no doubt he is grumbling, but I want him to keep untill [until] he gets too mad to hold in -- then I reckon he will break out in a four pager. Eloquently indignant. Whack away old fellow. But it is no use to talk, when I look over the pages of the "Democrat" I see the "skull-duggery" of politics takes up all his time.

I have not time to tell you all of my trip -- Our trip I should say, up to the Yankee states, Boston, New York, etc. 

I feel so perfectly happy that I could grin through an oak plank. I find music in saw filing, sugar in brick bats, or beauty in a pig's tail. In short if somebody don't soon abuse me (please do Maria) soon, I'll explode.

Now, I must stop -- will try and write mother in a day or two -- but may be can't. Allen I won't write to now, but will soon. Tell him God bless him. But he must write soon, or I'll read him out of the Democratic party.

Nothing more now, not that I have no more to say, but not time to say it.
                                                      Good . . . Affectionately
                                                         Brother
                                                            J M Binckley

P.S. My wife especially directs me to give her regards. 

[John Milton Binckley (circa 1831-1878).
Maria Jackson Binckley (1833-1913).
Allen Otho Binckley (1826-1876).
Mary Louisa Michel (1838-1930)
Mother = Charlotte Stocker Binckley (1788-1877).]

Mary Louisa Michel Binckley to Charlotte Stocker Binckley, October 1859

Mary Louisa/Lou/Louise Mitchell/Michel Binckley (1838-1930)

[Mary Louisa Mitchell/Michel Binckley at Washington City to Charlotte Stocker Binckley, [October 1859]. Additional paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading.

Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing scans of the original document, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source.]

                                                                  Washington City
Dear mother Binckley

We have just returned, Milton and I, from our trip to the North -- feeling very much worn out bodily with the fatigue of travelling constantly for more than two week[s], but conscious of having acquired knowledge and experienced pleasure that will be a constant source of delight for the rest of our lives -- the remembrance of well spent happy hours in scenes of beauty and refinement will be riches that no one can take away from us.

To be sure, the weather was often raining and dark, troubling Milton not a little, but when I look back now, I seem to remember only the bright days.

In Boston we spent nearly a week with one of Milton's artist friends of whom you may have heard him speak -- Mr. Wall, an Englishman who lived some years ago in this city -- he and his wife were very kind and attentive, and as I had friends in Boston and the sight-seeing [was] peculiarly interesting from historical associations, we had a most pleasant time there. 

While there Milton received your last letter and we were glad to hear that you were well. I was particularly pleased to find that bother George had received my letter, and hope soon to hear from him. Give to him and my mother brothers my best love.

Milton will doubtless send some message when he comes home and finds I am writing.

The little flower I enclose mother pressed to send you thinking you might like to keep among your other pressed flowers one worn on her wedding day by your Milton's bride.

I was looking over my box you gave me and found that the bunch of pressed flowers had Frannie Stewart's name written on the back. I will send or give them to her soon.

There are so many things I would like to write about our trip which might interest you, but to-day [I] feel very tired, and will give you in my next letter what would be very stupidly written to-day. It will be several days yet before I get my wits fairly about me.

All desire to be remembered to you. Farewell for awhile --
                                                      Your new daughter
                                                                     Mary

[JMB note:]  Mary holds the  . . . & I points out this spot has me write on, and I tell her I have to use it all in repressing my indignation for not giving me more.

[Mary Louisa Michel (1838-1930).
John Milton Binckley (circa 1831-1878).
Mother Binckley = Charlotte Stocker Binckley (1788-1877).
Mother = Jane Mary Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892).
George = George Michael Binckley (1828-1885).
Mr. Wall = Joseph Wall.]

Mary Louisa Michel Journal, June 26-28, 1849

[Mary Louisa Michel Journal, June 26-June 28, 1849, near Weverton, Maryland. Age: eleven. Additional paragraph breaks inserted for easier reading.

Many thanks to William Myers, Mary Davy, Sally Young and Sue Davis for their ongoing research collaboration; specifically to William for providing scans of the original document, and in turn many thanks to Peter Johnston Binckley and Patricia D'Arcy "Trish" Binckley (1951-2007), at the source.]    

June 26. This morning after father went up to the Ferry, promising to come back a little earlier than usual and join us at Mrs. Cushion[‘]s. After breakfast I cleaned up the house. I wrote my journal got my French lesson, and said it and my history, and sewed some before dinner. [D]irectly after dinner we dressed and soon were on our way. Soon after our arrival Mrs. Cushion & Miss Mary took us up stairs to show mother a quilt that she wanted laid off to quilt: mother said that she would do it. Mrs. Cushion also showed us her quilts and home made bed covers. She had more than

                                                                                           51

any body that I ever saw.  A little while before supper father came and soon after we ate supper, after which we looked at the garden. We sat out in the yard chatting, a little while and then walked home.

June 27.  This morning, father went down to Weverton to bring up his painting materials and as he wanted some help he took me with him. When we got down there, we found that they had not eaten breakfast ar Mr. Wever[‘]s; I did not sit down to the table, though they wanted me to do so, but Mrs. Wever gave me a nice saucer of raspberries and milk. Father got to reading and I walked into the garden and looked at the flowers: in about half an hour we started home, and had a very warm walk. Arrived at home father began painting Aunt Estelle’s portrait; and I, sewing a bonnet for Lucy who was very busy, and had to go to the harvest field in the evening, it kept me busy until evening and then I carried it to her: she then showed Willie and me where to get raspberries and helped us to gather: we got a quart and had them for supper.

June 28. Well, I think that a journal is a very silly thing, unless the person is travelling in a foreign country, for then, if well written, it would be interesting to those who had never been in foreign parts. However, on the 28^th of June 1849 I was not well; I had a dull headache, and a sort of weakness, produced by the warm weather: after cleaning up, and writing my journal I laid down and tried to go to sleep, but soon got up again on hearing Mrs. Cushion come in at the gate.

I forgot to tell you that mother had taken Mrs. Cushion[‘]s quilt home with her to lay off; but one square was not sewed in and Mrs. B came over this morning to sew it in. Sue had not been here long when I went up stairs and lay down again. This time I went to sleep and slept till after dinner. After I waked Willie and I made a little mat of plantain leaves stalks and then I read some to mother.

Late in the evening I made up the fire swept up and set the table, and as usual ate my supper out on the grass. The oleander . . . almost open, so is La Pactale and Madame Brousanout.

[Mary Louisa Michel (1838-1930).
Mother = Jane Mary Johnston Mitchell/Michel (1811-1892).
Father = Harvey Mitchell/Michel (1799-1866).
Willie = William Manning Mitchel/Michel (1839-1908).
Sue = Sue Henry Mitchell/Michel (1845-1940).
Lucy = enslaved servant.
Mr. and Mrs. Wever = either Caspar Willis Wever (1786-1861) and his wife, Jane Catherine Dunlop Wever (?-1859), or closely related family members. 

Uncle Edward = Edward William Johnston (1799-1867).

Aunt Estelle = Marie Antoinette Estelle Costar (De Cressac Villagrand) Johnston (circa. 1802-1848).

Weverton and Knoxville were located on the Baltimore & Ohio rail and Chesapeake & Ohio canal lines, just north of the Potomac River and the Virginia boundary line.]