Special Collections Research Center
spcoll@wm.eduFinding Aid Authors: Ute Schechter.
Administrative Information
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Preferred Citation:
Ivan M. Baxter Diary, Special Collections Research Center, Swem Library, College of William and Mary.
Acquisition Information:
Purchase.
Processing Information:
Accessioned and described in March 2009 by Ute Schechter.
Biographical Information:
Ivan M. Baxter was the son of Charles D. and Ida M. Baxter of Smithville, NY.
Scope and Contents
Diary, 1914 of Ivan M. Baxter (b. 1896) of Smithville, Chenango County, New York. He appears to live on a farm where his family raises cattle and farms wheat and corn. Baxter, who was 17 at the time he wrote in this diary, describes daily work (e.g. helping with cattle, splitting wood, farming), weather and leisure activities such as church, dating, sleigh riding, cattle drives, automobile racing and dances. His daily income is recorded in the back of the diary.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
- Agricultural laborers--New York (State)
- Day laborers
- Diaries
- Leisure--United States--1910-1920
- New York (State)--Social conditions
- New York (State)--Social life and customs
- Teenagers--Diaries
Significant Places Associated With the Collection
- New York (State)--Social life and customs
Container List
The following excerpts were provided by the seller: "I went to Greenville last night in a sleigh load, had a swell time .... Ray and I went to Oxford with cattle for Hammond. John Sage has a ten pound son. Came to town last night. They named him Earl Richmond sage (poor kid) .... The Cowles boys, Helen and Ethel and myself coasted on our hill in a.m. and I took Jule to church in evening. We took a ride afterward. Ray and Lena followed us and we gave them quite a chase. Cheer up, it's not the first time .... Glenn and I went to Oxford Grange in evening, had a swell time and I met a swell girl, Florence Fitch by name. I walked home with her but don't tell J.W. .... Done chores in a.m. and Floss came up bringing a note from J.W. which I was going to answer in person so I went down to the school house and we had quite a talk. J.W. cried and I felt like it .... Ray and Lena, Jule and myself all down to Arthurs in my cutter, then we all went for a sleigh load. No need to say where, I shant ever forget it .... Stayed at home all day and Floss came up. Went to Beston in night to a dance. It snowed all night long and when I came home the snow was most up to the front axle of the wagon and still snowing. Helen Crowles and I won a prize for being the best Waltzer there. It was 1.50 in money .... Father went to Greene after feed and to see doctor about his fingers. The Dr cut the flesh off the end of one of them. They are very sore .... Gee I'd like to see Jule or someone. I'm dying of lonesomeness or at least I shall before long .... Oh my, I was 18 yesterday but I feel as if I was 40 today. I wonder why - Floyd Hotchkiss got kicked in the face by a horse today and is very bad off .... I stuck a nail in my foot and am flying on one wing .... Our barn was burned by lightening tonight. I was over to Art Phillips when it struck and you bet I was soon home .... We got $500 insurance on the barn and $68.60 on the contents. Mr Howden an agent stayed here all night .... Had a terrible shower in p.m., it blowed our crops all flat. Lots of tree's and some buildings went down ....."