Alice Mabel Allen (1886-1976) grew up in the village of Adams in Jefferson County. In 1908, while attending Syracuse University, Mabel, as she was known, kept a diary which New York Almanack is publishing each week.
Monday, August 17
I collected the laundry while Edna [her sister] got breakfast. Father took us across [Henderson Harbor] at 8:30 and we waited at Snow’s for Mrs. Rice with whom we rode to Adams. Found mother very tired and Mrs. C. better.
After dinner I went to the [Jefferson County Journal] office. Found a letter from Lillian Bauer. Wrote to father and did the business of the office. After supper Clara and Florence Cooper came over and Clara and I went to a C.E. business meeting at Mary Kimball’s, which was postponed on account of the rain.
Tuesday, August 18
Built the fire and got breakfast while Edna took in the clothes. Washed my green dress which Edna and Mrs. Murphy ironed after dinner. Father telephoned. Uncle George went to the Sherman celebration at Utica. Letter from Rosina Scoville to see about class picnic. Went over to see Mabel Griggs for news. Mother went to the Harbor with Mr. Rice. Edna and I went to see Cousin Fannie to-night and carried her some tomatoes. Voted for new chandelier at church.
Wednesday, August 19
Telephoned Martha Parr after breakfast to see about going to Henderson. Could make no arrangement. Busy down at the office and the paper went to press in good season. Telephoned to Alma. Saw Louise on way home. As we were eating supper Mr. Webster phoned for us to go down with him and be ready in 15 min. It meant some hurrying. Found the lake rough and came across with Mr. Barney’s boat. Played Up Jenkins at Dunmores’ and met Mr. Ray Smith. Miss Johnston, Mrs. Smith and her daughters.
Thursday, August 20
After breakfast — the bread for which we had to borrow — the Dunmores came over to talk shore dinner. Edna and I walked over to Cedarwood and found mother there alone. Clayton and Father soon returned from across and they decided to go on the shore dinner. Made sandwiches and started about 12. I made the coffee which was rather weak. After dinner we rough-housed and played games. All went over to Cedarwood for supper supper [sic] and to stay all night. Edna made fudge. I read in evening.
Friday, August 21
Slept well considering the hardness of the bed. Read some of Carlyle’s letters, rough-housed and then came over to Highland with father and Edna. Went in bathing. After dinner mother and father rowed across the bay and Clayton, Edna and I came over to Highland. They sailed while I came ashore and wrote to Mary Wick. Later we all played croquet. Met Sarah’s brother at Cedarwood. Rowed across after some milk and the mail. We had a glorious bonfire which scorched the whole side of one of the trees. We toasted marshmallows. The whole Park was here and seemed to enjoy the fire.
Saturday, August 22
Edna made apple sauce and I washed out some table napkins. In the P.M. father, mother and Sarah went across. Clayton took a nap and Edna and I, after reading, rowed over to Highland. Clayton, Edna and I rowed across after the mail and milk, and then father joined us to canoe over to Highland to stay all night. The night was beautiful very clear so that I disliked to go in.
Sunday, August 23
Edna and I felt unusually ambitious, so we made rocks. Mr. Sterling, coming over early with meat, awoke me so I got the breakfast. Read the Newcomer every chance. Went over to Cedarwood for dinner. Clayton and Edna took Sarah across and father, mother and I came back to Highland. Father went home in the Waite auto mother with the Ripleys in the Irwin auto. Anna Johnston, Della and I went across after Sarah who joined us for a rarebit at Dunmores’.
Photos: Top, the Allen home in Adams, NY; bottom, Thomas Carlyle.
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