Club Minutes: Mutual Improvement Association, 1867-1875

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The Cedars, July 29th 1869

The Association was due here this afternoon -- the 10th time --, but only 3 members came -- the smallest meeting we have had yet in the twelve years since our society was organized. But there were some agreeable guests, and, after the first feeling of disappointment, we had an interesting and very pleasant time.

The minutes were read as usual, after which M. Farquhar read the promised letter from Louisa Painter, sent to us by L. G. Thomas, and P. Farquhar read two long letters from B. Hallowell, all from Omaha and beyond, and full of information, descriptions, and histories, most interesting to all of us.

2. S. H. Stone, "The Leak in the Dyke", a pretty story in verse, by Phoebe Carey.

3. H. J. Moore, read a recipe for making currant jelly in an improved way -- by heating the sugar before it is put in.

4. M. S. Hallowell brought nothing to read, but wished to tell us of the beauty of the flowers she had seen in Washington lately, especially around the Agricultural Department.

Adjourned to Fulford next month.

Note. Among the guests were Caleb S. Hallowell, his wife, and youngest daughter - and no premonition told us that it was the last time we should see and hear him -- that his busy and earnest life was so soon to close.

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Fulford, 9th month 2nd 1869

The second meeting here of the Association was held this afternoon, having been postponed from the regular time on account of the absence of servants at Camp-Meeting. Only three members were absent, and there were a number of guests. M. W. Kirk, M. M. Miller, and S. H. Stone were the absentees.

Near the usual time we came to order, and the minutes were read; after which M. Farquhar read "A Life's Lesson," in poetry.

2. R. E. Gilpin, "Not Knowing", poetry likewise; and also a letter from J. Bean, about the Indians.

3. L. G. Thomas, "The Waters of Life", an allegory.

4. M. L. Roberts, "Sisterly Words" on woman's right and duty. And she wished to know if it was better to keep slips of geraniums to dry a little before planting or to plant as soon as cut. Some of the experienced said keep them a while.

5. E. D. Bentley, "The Laws of Life - their violations, and the penalties."

6. H. J. Moore, "Beside two graves" - reflections in a cemetery.

7. E. G. Thomas, "Life is what we make it" - many of the inequalities of life are created by ourselves.

8. C. B. Scott, "Responsibility" -- a short essay.

9. M. S. Hallowell recommended a new way of raising verbena cuttings: keep them in the sun, in wet sand 'till rooted. Also, hot-beds for drying fruit: and she read a description of the "Shy Rail Road" up Mount Washington.

10. B. I. Lea, "Good cooking as essential to Happiness". A good article.

Some remarks about canning fruit followed - then desultory conversation -- supper -- a walk in the garden and to see the chickens, and adjourned to Lea's Mill next month.

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Lea's Mill, September 30th, 1869

According to the arrangement made last month, the Association departed from the regular alphabetical order so far as to meet here today - the 10th time at this place. 9 members were present, and some guests. The absentees were R. E. Gilpin, M. W. Kirk, S. H. Stone, C. B. Scott, and E. G. Thomas.

After reading the minutes, M. Farquhar read an extract from "The American Woman's Home" on "Good Cooking", considered as an important duty, in its influence on the comfort & happiness of a family.

2. L. G. Thomas, a letter from her sister in the West, about the Indians, and very interesting. It enclosed a piece of poetry called "The beautiful snow", cut from a newspaper, which was read also.

3. M. M. Miller read an article called "The Beginning of Education."

4. J. Porter brought some seeds to distribute.

5. E. D. Bentley, "A short serman" - a poem called "Trust," & an article on "Thankfulness."

6. H. J. Moore, a recipe for making spiced peach pickles, without cooking.

7. M. S. Hallowell, a new mode of making yeast with buttermilk.

8. M. L. Roberts, a description of the "Victoria Bazaar", in

9. B. I. Lea, "A centenarian in a Balloon." and "Dora's Mother", a poem written by a friend for her sister & describing her mother truly & prettily.

Mary Parker read an extract from "A country Parson's" essay, exhorting people, when they leaave off work, to leave thinking of it too, and allow the mind as well as the muscles to rest, or at least to change its occupation.

A walk over the new mill, to see the cider-press, and other machinery, occupied the remaining half hour 'till supper, after which we adjourned to Fair Hill - conditionally.

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Fair Hill, November 18th 1868

The meeting of the Association, due last month, having been delayed to suit circumstances, was held to-day - the third time at this place. 5 members were missing, but there were as many guests to taken their places, making a large and pleasant company.

We met by invitation before noon, and dinner, followed by good coffee and tea, being dispatched, we proceeded to a lively discussion of various subjects besides the selections read. After the minutes were read, Sarah B. Farquhar was asked for a contribution, and she produced a poem by William Henry Pleasants, called "Jacob's Dream" and told how to present "bed-sores" in long illnesses, by putting one or more blankets under the lower sheet on the bed. If there are sores already formed, wash them with Arnica-water, to cure them.

2. R. E. Gilpin read a letter from Whittier on Woman's suffrage, saying that it certainly was her right, if she wished it, but doubting if it would prove a blessing.

3. M. S. Hallowell, "Cheap Pleasures", a very good little exhortation to dispense the cheap pleasures of little kindnesses, and pleasant words liberally to those around us, and especially to those beneath us. She spoke of having witnessed the value of dried earth as a deodorizer -- and told us how to save trouble in cooking pumpkins for pies. Instead of cutting them up, divide them in half, take out the seeds, and bake the halves, inverted in a dripping pan, 'till soft, then scrape out the pulp with a spoon. (Here followed a discussion of the way to make the pies, or puddings. Some said there should be one egg to every pie -- others that half that number, or even less, would do very well. Some used wine or brandy, some ginger and some lemon for seasoning and all claimed to have them good.)

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4. S. H. Stone had a poem describing Indian Summer. And intimated an intention to resign her place among us.

5. M. M. Miller, "Social Reading in the Home Circle." Very good advice to read aloud at home as a habit.

6. L. G. Thomas. Letter from Mary Lamb to a child.

7. M. W. Kirk, a letter from M. Riddele of Washington, describing Sandy Spring. After a fine poem, "In Him there is no darkness at all".

8. A sketch of Humboldt, sent by M. L. Roberts, who was absent.

9. E. D. Bentley, Grace Greenwood on Women's Rights.

10. H. J. Moore "On sea-sickness" and recommending a remedy for it, applying ice to the spine.

11. M. Farquhar, The Servant of Fact and Experience" - the servant question viewed from the servants' side of it.

Adjourned to Avalon next month.

Avalon, 12th month 18th, 1869

According to the appointment made at last meeting the Association met here to-day at noon: ten members and several guests present. 4 absent, namely, B. I. Lea, M. W. Kirk, M. L. Roberts, and S. H. Stone.

Soon after dinner, the meeting came to order & the minutes were read. Then M. Farquhar read from the New York Tribune, a paper on "Home Interests" and a continuation of the same: - interesting and encouraging to notable housekeepers.

2. J. Porter, "How to secure plums from the Curculio". Keep pigs and chickens under the trees.