Decoration Day
A Day in the Life: May 30th
(Aged 14)
Wea. rainy SAT. MAY 30, 1896 Ther.
Went over to the Thayer cemetery in the A.M. in the P.M. went fishing caught 6 or 7 small fish.
In P.M. Pa + Ma + Rollie went up to Unkle Gib’s.
(Aged 16)
Wea. MON. MAY 30, 1898 Ther.
Decoration Day. Went to factory + then down to the burg. In eve went up to John Warn’s after some corn.
(Aged 17)
Wea. TUE. MAY 30, 1899 Ther.
Decoration Day. I rode down to the burg with ma. At 1.00 P.M. the school marched up to the cemetery and back to Chase’s Hall where an address was given by Frank Mott of Jamestown. I rode my wheel home. Mrs. Mason came up with Ma. Ransom went to Celeron. In eve went over to Leon Page’s.
(Aged 18)
Wea. WED. MAY 30, 1900 Ther.
Stayed at home until about 3 P.M. Then Alice and I went to Celeron. Had a fine time got home at 4:30 A.M. Didn’t go to bed at all. Spent $2.50.
(Aged 19)
Wea. THU. MAY 30, 1901 Ther.
Sorted potatoes + cleaned out the barn. Hired Will Corney for a month + a half for $9 begins work today. Killed Pa’s pig. Fixed line between Littlefield + myself. Paid my store bill.
(Aged 20)
Wea. FRI. MAY 30, 1902 Ther.
Finished putting in corn 11 acres. Paid my store bill gave Ma $5 interest. Laurence helped 1/2 day.
(Aged 21)
Wea. SAT. MAY 30, 1903 Ther.
NO ENTRY MADE
Editor's Note: I learned a bit about Memorial Day this weekend. Originally known as Decoration Day and started to honor the graves of Civil War soldiers, eventually it grew into a day to remember all our loved and lost ones. In 1969 the name was officially changed to Memorial Day and in 1971 it became a Federal holiday making it a 3-day-weekend. Once only celebrated on May 30, it is now celebrated on the last Monday in May regardless of the date. I am afraid commercialism has diluted the purpose of this holiday. As Diana says "we celebrate our presidents' birthdays with a mattress sale," this is a weekend of sales too. As former members of our high school marching band we certainly participated in a many parades but I don't recall giving the day the solemnity that it deserves.
Neither Diana nor I live near any of our ancestral graves. As was Gram Lucas' habit, she'd put geraniums on them today. Dad carried on this tradition. The last time I was in Frewsburg, I put hostas on Mabel, Stuart and Dad hoping they would grow and remain. I did this knowing I wouldn't be back very soon. If you are in Maple Grove, say hello to the folks in our family plot and please let me know if the hostas are still there.
***
(Aged 14)
Wea. rainy SAT. MAY 30, 1896 Ther.
Went over to the Thayer cemetery in the A.M. in the P.M. went fishing caught 6 or 7 small fish.
In P.M. Pa + Ma + Rollie went up to Unkle Gib’s.
(Aged 16)
Wea. MON. MAY 30, 1898 Ther.
Decoration Day. Went to factory + then down to the burg. In eve went up to John Warn’s after some corn.
(Aged 17)
Wea. TUE. MAY 30, 1899 Ther.
Decoration Day. I rode down to the burg with ma. At 1.00 P.M. the school marched up to the cemetery and back to Chase’s Hall where an address was given by Frank Mott of Jamestown. I rode my wheel home. Mrs. Mason came up with Ma. Ransom went to Celeron. In eve went over to Leon Page’s.
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| Frewsburg, NY 1940s(?) |
(Aged 18)
Wea. WED. MAY 30, 1900 Ther.
Stayed at home until about 3 P.M. Then Alice and I went to Celeron. Had a fine time got home at 4:30 A.M. Didn’t go to bed at all. Spent $2.50.
(Aged 19)
Wea. THU. MAY 30, 1901 Ther.
Sorted potatoes + cleaned out the barn. Hired Will Corney for a month + a half for $9 begins work today. Killed Pa’s pig. Fixed line between Littlefield + myself. Paid my store bill.
(Aged 20)
Wea. FRI. MAY 30, 1902 Ther.
Finished putting in corn 11 acres. Paid my store bill gave Ma $5 interest. Laurence helped 1/2 day.
(Aged 21)
Wea. SAT. MAY 30, 1903 Ther.
NO ENTRY MADE
***********
Editor's Note: I learned a bit about Memorial Day this weekend. Originally known as Decoration Day and started to honor the graves of Civil War soldiers, eventually it grew into a day to remember all our loved and lost ones. In 1969 the name was officially changed to Memorial Day and in 1971 it became a Federal holiday making it a 3-day-weekend. Once only celebrated on May 30, it is now celebrated on the last Monday in May regardless of the date. I am afraid commercialism has diluted the purpose of this holiday. As Diana says "we celebrate our presidents' birthdays with a mattress sale," this is a weekend of sales too. As former members of our high school marching band we certainly participated in a many parades but I don't recall giving the day the solemnity that it deserves.
Neither Diana nor I live near any of our ancestral graves. As was Gram Lucas' habit, she'd put geraniums on them today. Dad carried on this tradition. The last time I was in Frewsburg, I put hostas on Mabel, Stuart and Dad hoping they would grow and remain. I did this knowing I wouldn't be back very soon. If you are in Maple Grove, say hello to the folks in our family plot and please let me know if the hostas are still there.
***
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