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Sally, Wife of George Polk was sister of Isaac H Hullard (whose wife wrote this journal. acc: John Kiser of [Anteoch?] Tn who is researching George Polk family TMP
MRS. I. H. HILLIARD'S DIARY.
(Mrs. meriam Hilliard was Biship Leonidas Polk's in-law sister)
Christmas Eve- I am frequently appealed to as to the date of certain occurences. On this point my memory particularly defective. I will keep - a journal - beginning with the brief summary of the past 3 mos.
Sept. 15 - Mr. Hilliard in Tennessee - I got to St. Louis worried with shopping for other people, never the less the sight and warm greeting of so many old acquaintances, my visit was most delightful. So hurried and engaged to give up my long cherished intention of taking lessons from Mrs. A. Cancowicz. Mr. Hilliard arrives Oct. 5 absent 6 wks.
Oct. 11 - carriage at the door - Bonneted and gloved to return visits. Mr. H. enters in haste - boat leaving that afternoon. Party of Southern friends aboard - Thinks we had better take Leo - only half like it but the trunks are packed and that night was under way for Arkansas Pleasant company en voyage towit the Keeners, Higgins, Millers, Ware aground in daytime lie by at night nevertheless really landed at home Oct. 20. Gloomy prospects - short crop cotton opening slowly 5 negroes - Nothing in the gardens raining all summer; Books, piano, furniture silk etc. much injured by the dampness. Thanks to careful tending and the plentiful use asafoetida, we have raised 60 turkeys; not many chickens. Looking daily for sister-in-law, Mrs. Polk
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and her children I am all impatience and eagerness to see them. Sister Mary will join us and then we shall truly be a happy circle. Do hope I shall succeed in making their visit comfortable and agreeable. Mr resources are few and poor but much can be done with good cheer and hearty welcome and considerate attention - Sent for oysters and Oranges every trip of our packetarrangement and re-arrange until we despair of their coming Brother Abe pays us a visit - greatly disappointed he did not bring Bettie according to agreement - Proceeds to N. O. Back to Bunch's Bend returns here to take a boat-gives me 5 minutes to write letters and fold parcels, pack boxes, send messages, say parting words etc. etc. as he expects to be off in a twinkling. At the end of three days here still. No boats to be seen. One would think they were ice bound- dreadful weather It storms without and storms within. At length, on the third day, he descries a "boat" - A joyful sight; The sight of land was not more grateful to Columbus. Mr. Hilliard and George took passage on the Scott-Alone - Keep a Bowie knife under my pillow and Robert plays sentinel in the adjorning chamber. Take these precautions by the advice of bro. John Mr. Raynor arrives and stays all night. The long looked and muched wished for came at last. Steamer America landed Bishop Polk and his family Tuesday morning, Dec. 18 - 5 children; pretty and smart - most grown since I saw them last. My sister has not recovered from her mother's death - looks saddedned and subdued. I hope change of scene and heerful company will restore her spirits. Mr. Hilliard lands home about day light 22 Dec.
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Sister Mary Bro. William detained at him by business. Overjoyed to see her. Thorns must be mixed with roses - Together at last. The day would have been perfect but for the sudden indisposition of sister - severe headache.
Jan. 13 - Fine morn. Col. Taylor called and insisted that we go to church, and in deep thought of Mr. Shaw let him tell us our duties. Promised to dine with him Thurs. counts upon his daughters (Mrs. Cable and Theo) arrival by that time. In the afternoon we all made the rounds on the Quarters. In honor of our coming many curiously patterned quilts were displayed.
Jan. 14 - Fine day. Received 3 letters from home. Phronie to be married the 3rd to Mr. Somers, a young lawyer. Mat the union prove a happy and honorable pne. A girl happily married is thrice blessed, but an indifferent husband, or even an ill assorted man, carried in his train pangs unnumbered and griefs unspeakable. I hope her husband will show himself devoted to her happiness, comfort and interests, and she, I trust, will make him a diligent and loving wife - The Luna landed Mr. H 4 1/2 A.M.
Jan. 15, unpleasant day. Dr. Blackburn came over and dined with us.
Jan. 16 - set to rights - Boat ringing about tea time - prove to be the America for wood - tied up all night. Mr. Andrew Irqin and Col. McGavrock came ashore and sat with us till 10 o'clock.
Jan. 17 - Raining in torrents - obliged to disappoint Col. Taylor - numerous company invited to meet us - perfect deluge of rain so we take ourselves to my Noah's Ark - alias big cedar chest
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crammed with silks, crapes, embroidery etc., linens, velvets, the extravagance of my girlhood - wish I had the contents in money - I lack system sadly. Sister May and Sally assorted and labeled everything, even down to the odds and ends - Am puzzled what to do - stay at home, go with sister Mary, or accept Bro. Geo and sister's invitation to accompany them on a visit to their brother, Bishop Polk. I have never had any but a passing glimpse of a sugar plantation. From its reputation, I should especially like to see this one. Then too, I have heard so much of Mrs. Polk's admirable system of housekeeping, that as I am a novice in the art, I should doubtless find it profitable and agreeable. The cui bono can be satisfactorially enough answered but I look at my boy and think I ought to count the cost. Well, I'll sleep on it to-night and abide tomorrow's decision. If I should put cotton receipts under my head to assist me in a judgement their response would be, "no go" certain sure. Short crop - short journey. Brother John came up just after dinner - has sold his plantation to Mr. Goza - is on his way to Kentucky. Hope he will arrive in time to see Phronie's wedding. He is wearied with Southern life and negro property and is rejoiced to quit - says the only thing he regrets is leaving me here. I tell him to not let this disturb him - that is nothing - the mouth does not always speak the language of the heart. He has made me a present of a fine saddle horse, giving me the choice of keeping or disposing of him for anything I fancy. I believe I will get the fairy to wave her wand and turn him
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into a silver urn. Now think of it, Mr. H. stands in need of one so a horse he is and a horse he shall remain. Nor will I lose my glistening urn - to-morrow morn I will give orders to fatten Drenon for the market. He will not bring as much as the others but I can easily make up the deficiency with the milk I shall sell this spring.
Jan. 18th Cloudy and occasional sunshine - Mr. Payne sent me some nice butter and most acceptable it is for I have foraged the country in vain. Brother John expecting Peytona all day - no appearance of her.
Jan. 19th Early in the morn cold and prospect of clear weather. About Eleven o'clock commenced raining, increasing in violence as night comes on. Brother John grew weary waiting for Peytonia, so he hailed the Gen. Lane, a dead slow boat - got on board amid a torrent of rain. I do not allow myself to think about it, but how much my heart years for home and those who love me for myself, faulty through I be - It seems strange that I should not be present at Phronie's marriage. Had a bone chicken and a monkey for supper (lloc). Talking about old by-gone days, made all so sad they went away leaving the supper almost untouched - nobody inclined to eat.
Sunday Jan. 20th - It is raining furiously this morn that even the "bell of the ball" - wish (oh that I had a million slaves or mor To catch the rain drops as they pour) would be of no avail. Dr. Holston called to see Mary Murfree who still continues quite sick. All remarked the fog, which was so dense we could not discern objects beyond. Write to George H-