The Diaries: 1869
Henry Schweigert attended Palatinate College in Myerstown, PA during 1869, spending several weekend visits and a summer break in his hometown of Friedensburg, PA. He spent most days either studying or working on the farm, with free time spent socializing and visiting his family, among other activities.
The diary entries below document the daily life of Schweigert from ages twenty-one to twenty-two.
Saturday, May 29, 1869
A nice day, it was a little cloudy in the morning. Mr. Morgan and I took a walk to town, then we went home and finished our mount, then I dressed and studied a little while. Then my parents came to visit me. And stopped till they had taken supper. Then we went to town where they got their photographs taken. Coming back again to college, they got themselves ready and went to Mr. Daniel Diehl's where they stopped over night.1 And I planted my dahlia plants – which they had brought for me and then I studied some of my lessons. When I was tired I went to bed.
Sunday, May 30, 1869
Raining in the morning I was in Sunday School and church in the forenoon (Reformed). In the afternoon my parents came to college. We went to visit Mr. Bright, who lived a short distance from college. Then we came back again, took supper then my parents started to go home and I took a walk to town.
Tuesday, June 1, 1869
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A warm day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Pa.
Wednesday, June 2, 1869
A warm rainy day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Pa.
Thursday, June 3, 1869
A nice day. I was in school. Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pennsylvania. In the evening I was in church, Reformed.
Friday, June 4, 1869
A nice warm day, had a few showers. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. In the morning I did not feel well then I took a walk in the country. And in the evening I was in the Excelsior Literary Society.2
Saturday, June 5, 1869
A rainy day. I was at Myerstown & received a letter from M. Roeder.
Sunday, June 6, 1869
A nice day. I was in Sunday School in the morning, then I went home and was in my room till after dinner. Then Mr. Morgan and I took a walk out in the country. When we came back I went to my room again where I spent the rest of the day. Wrote a letter to F.B. Berkheiser, Port Carbon.
Monday, June 7, 1869
A nice day. I was at school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa.
Tuesday, June 8, 1869
A nice day I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, PA.
Wednesday, June 9, 1869
A nice day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa.
Thursday, June 10, 1869
A cool rainy day. I was in school Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. Wrote two letters one to Mr. D. R. Ney and the other to H.L. Cake for some merriments, also got my {illegible} from J. Hartman.
Friday, June 11, 1869
A cool cloudy day. I was in school, Palatinate College, at Myerstown, Lebanon Co. Pa. In the evening I was in the Excelsior Literary Society.
Saturday, June 12, 1869
A nice day. I was in Myerstown, Pa. No school today. W. Burn’s Parents came here, then we were walking around town awhile. After supper Mr. Morgan and I took a walk to West Myerstown. After leaving back I went in the order of I. O. of O. F.3
Sunday, June 13, 1869.
A nice day, a little rain in the evening. I was in Sunday School in the morning, then went home. After dinner Brown and I went in to visit Daniel Diehl. Was there till after supper then we went over to Joseph Diehl. Stopped there a while then we went back to the College again.
Monday, June 14, 1869,
A rainy day. I was in school, Palatinate Col. Received a letter from F. B. Berkheiser.
Tuesday, June 15, 1869
A nice warm day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. Wrote a letter to F. B. Berkheiser.
Wednesday, June 16, 1869
A nice warm day. I was in school Palatinate College Myerstown, Pa. Had a letter sent with Prof. H. R. Nicks. Also received my lexicons and an abacus from him today.
Thursday, June 17, 1869
A very nice, warm day, I was in Myerstown today. In the morning Mr. Heilman and I went to town walked through town. Then we were in the different churches from where they fetched the benches to make preparations for the Palatinate Literary Society. And in the evening I attended the first anniversary of said Society. (signed) H. W. Schweigert
Friday, June 18, 1869
A nice day. I went home from school today from Palatinate College. I wen to Schuylkill Haven with the cars. From there my father fetched me. Then towards evening my father was ploughing potatoes and my brother and I were hoeing them.
Saturday, June 19, 1869
A nice warm day. I was hoeing corn a while in the morn then Joseph Diehl & wife came on a visit to our house, then we stopped working at the corn, and went home, and afterward we were walking around on the farm – see how things are growing. In the afternoon I went to my sister Sarah, stopped there till after supper, then I went to Summit Station in the order of I.O. of O.F. From there I went home again.
Sunday, June 20, 1869
A nice day. A few showers towards evening. I was in Sunday school in the morning at School House No. 5. From there I went home and stopped at home all alone all day.
Monday, June 21, 1869
A rainy day, I was working at home.
Tuesday, June 22, 1869
A rainy day, I was hauling manure at home in the forenoon and afternoon I helped to plant sod around our house.
Wednesday, June 23, 1869
A nice warm day. I was working at home today, In the forenoon I was cultivating potatoes and afternoon I was I was ploughing potatoes some time and rest of the time I was hoeing corn.
Tuesday, June 29, 1869
A nice warm day. My Brother Daniel and I were in Pottsville at market, and when we came home we took a fair load of hay in the barn.
Wednesday, June 30, 1869
A rainy day. I went over to Summit in the forenoon, and afternoon went to Pinegrove to attend the funeral of Kirn.
Thursday, July 1, 1869
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A very nice warm day, I was at home working.
Friday July 2, 1869
A nice warm day. I was working at home.
Saturday, July 3, 1869
A nice warm day. I was working at home in the forenoon and afternoon I went to Summit, where I attended the order of I.O. of O.F. at Summit in the evening.
Sunday, July 4, 1869
A nice warm day. I stopped at my sister Sarah over night, then I went home in the morning, stopped home till after dinner then I went to S. School at School No. 5. My sister Lucy, her husband, and Isaac Hummel, wife, and children.
Monday, July 5, 1869
A nice day. I was home all day. I was mowing in the morning then helped to pick cherries sour in the afternoon for to take to market.
Tuesday, July 6, 1869
A nice warm day. I was mowing at home in the morning and afternoon we were taking hay home from the field.
Wednesday, July 7, 1869
A nice day. I was working at home.
Thursday, July 8, 1869
A nice day, I was working at home. We were mowing in the morning, then I helped to pick cherries, for to take to market next day and afternoon we took in some hay.
Friday, July 9, 1869
A rainy day. I was at home in the morning we were working at the corn awhile till it commenced to rain.
Saturday, July 10, 1869
A nice warm day I was working at home, in the forenoon was mowing, and afternoon working at the corn. And in the evening I was at Summit Station in the order of I.O. of O.F. of Pa, took the fifth degree then I went with Meyers, Jumbo and John Moyer, up the railroad to Moyer Station, from there I went home.
Sunday, July 11, 1869
A nice day, I was in Sunday School at School House, No. 5 in the forenoon, and afternoon I was at Absalom’s Hehn's, they had preaching in the barn. From there I went home again.
Monday, July 12, 1869
A nice warm day. I was working at home, helped to take some hay home, and also helped to prepare things to take to market.
Tuesday, July 13, 1869
A warm day, nice in the forenoon, showers in the afternoon. I was working at home. Cradling wheat in the forenoon, afternoon did not work much except helped to load a load of hay for to take to market.
Wednesday, July 14, 1869
A warm day, I was working at home.
Thursday, July 15, 1869
A cloudy day, a few showers. I was working at home.
Friday, July 16, 1869.
A nice warm day, showers in eve. I was working at home. In the forenoon I was working at the corn, and afternoon at wheat.
In German: mein german hat geschirmt heut nachmittag
Saturday, July 17, 1869
A nice warm day I was working at home. Raking wheat and also took it home.
Sunday, July 18, 1869
A nice day. A few showers in the afternoon. I was in Sunday School in afternoon, at School No. 5 and afternoon in church, Friedensburg, my new church.
Monday, July 19, 1869
A rainy day. I was working at home.
Tuesday, July 20, 1869
A nice warm day, I was working at home.
Wednesday, July 21, 1869
A nice warm day, I was working at home. I was mowing in the forenoon and taking away some hay in afternoon.
Thursday, July 22, 1869.
A nice warm day, I was working at home. I was mowing in the forenoon, and taking hay, and was home in the afternoon.
Friday, July 23, 1869
A nice warm day, I was working at home. We were mowing in the forenoon, and took the hay home in the afternoon. Finished hay-making for this year.
Saturday, July, 24, 1869
A nice warm day. I was working at home cradling rye in the forenoon and raking and schucking in the afternoon. Also thrashed some wheat with the horses.
Sunday, July 25, 1869
A very nice warm day. I was in Sunday School at School House No. 5 in the morning and in the afternoon. My two brothers, sisters, Luckenbill’s girls, Lewis Hummel, John Dietrich and a whole lof of others went to church called Nitzels in Singing school. From there we started home again. Stopped at Luckenbill’s, took supper there, also Mr. George Shaeffer and Samuel Loy after supper we had some friends…
Monday, July 26, 1869
A rainy day. I was working at home. We were thrashing wheat with the flails.
Tuesday, July 27, 1869
A rainy day. I was at home. I was reading etc in the afternoon. Making post-fences in the afternoon.
Wednesday, July 28, 1869
A nice warm day. I was working at home. My brothers and I were thrashing wheat with the flails, in the forenoon. Taking rye home in the afternoon.
Thursday, July 29, 1869
A nice day. I was working at home. My brothers and I were thrashing rye with flails.
Friday, July 30, 1869
A nice warm day. My brother Daniel and I were in Pottsville today at market. I bought a pair of pantaloons.
Saturday, July 31, 1869
A very nice warm day. I was making fence in the morning then I and my brother went to old Mr. Morgan to take his rye home, but it was not dry so we opened the sheaves. And in the afternoon my brother D and I went on a visit to William Schweigert and Reber. In the evening we went to John Hein Jr.
Sunday, Aug. 1, 1869
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A nice warm day. I was off on a visit. We started at Rebers in the morning and went to William Schweigert stopped there till 5 o’clock then we started home, went up Krammers’ Valley. In the evening we went to Luckenbills.
Monday, Aug. 2, 1869
A nice warm day. [I] was working at home. was cradling oats in the forenoon and thrashing rye with flails in the afternoon.
Tuesday, Aug. 3, 1869
A nice warm day, I was working at home. I was thrashing rye in the morning with flail. Then we cleaned it. And afternoon eve we were making work out of the apple trees awhile. Then thrashing timothy and with horses.
Wednesday, Aug. 4, 1869
A nice day. I was working at home. In the forenoon my brother and I were making post-fence. And afternoon raking oats and taking it home.
Thursday, Aug. 5, 1869
A rainy day. I was by the doctor at Friedensburg then I went home and was at home the rest of day.
Friday, Aug. 6, 1869
A very humid day. My brother Daniel and I were in Pottsville market. I took dinner at my sister Lucy’s. Then I went home again… {illegible}
Saturday, Aug. 7, 1869
A very nice day. I was working at home. I was cradling oats in the forenoon, helping to make a post-fence in the afternoon a while. Then I went to Summit Station in the order of the I. O. of O. F. of Pa. Lunar eclipse of the sun.4 It came at Charles Moy’s house. Mr. J. Ferg stopped there, they had a glass burned and looked and then it could easily be seen. Then I went when exercise was over in the loader.
Sunday, Aug. 8, 1869
A nice day. I was in Sunday school at School House No. 5 in the forenoon. Afternoon I was at Luckenbills’ awhile also, in the evening. My sister Sarah was at home today.
Monday Aug. 9, 1869
A very nice day. I went to school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Lebanon Co., Pa. My father took me and my brother, and Lewis Hummel over with the spring wagon. He came to Myerstown at half past 9 o’clock. Started at home…{illegible}
Tuesday, Aug. 10, 1869
A nice warm day. I was in Palatinate College, not much of a school today, on account of organizing.
Wednesday, Aug. 11, 1869
A nice warm day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. Paid Prof Nicks fifty-dollars. Received from him two books, a German & English Dictionary, and a National Arithmetic. Paid the money on account of boarding tuition, etc.
Thursday, Aug. 12, 1869
A nice day. I was in school Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa.
Friday, Aug. 13, 1869
A very nice day. Shower in evening. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. In the evening I was in the Excelsior Literary Society, of said institution. Read an essay. We received seven new members.
Saturday, Aug. 14, 1869
A very nice warm day. Mejers, J. Fidler, M. Loy, Lewis Hummel, my brother and I were in Lebanon. We walked up in the morning. Went along home with the cars in the afternoon. Bought a pair of pantaloons, and a linen coat, amount to five dollars and a half.
Sunday, Aug. 15, 1869
A cloudy day. A few showers towards evening. I was in Sunday school (Reformed) and church (Lutheran) in the forenoon. Afternoon I was at camp-meeting. Then Mr. L. Hummel, F. Beyer, & I went out for some apples.
Monday, Aug. 16, 1869
A nice warm day. I was in school Palatinate College, Myerstown, Leb. Co. Pa. Mssrs Wm. & Frank Brown came to school today. In the evening Mr. Franklin Brown, came in my room and stopped with us over night. Mr. Lewis Hummel, my brother Daniel and I slept in one bed, for the first time we ever slept together in all our lifetime.
Henry W. Schweigert
Daniel W. Schweigert
Lewis Hummel
Tuesday, Aug. 17, 1869
A cool rainy day. I was in school Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. Got myself assessed, paid my tax, which amounted to one dollar and twenty six cents. The first tax I ever paid, and this I paid in Myerstown, Lebanon Co Pa. Wrote a letter to D. R. Ney.
Wednesday, Aug, 18, 1869,
A nice warm day. I was in school Palatinate College, Myerstown, Leb. Co., Pa.
Thursday, Aug. 19, 1869.
A nice warm day. I was in school Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. In the evening went after supper Messrs. Fidler, Brown, W. Hartman, my brother and I went to the depot. Also wrote a letter to G. F. Morgan, Cressona.
Friday, Aug, 20, 1869
A very nice warm day. I was in school Palatinate College, Myerstown, PA. In the evening I was in the E.L.S. (Excelsior Literary Society) of said college and was elected Rec. Secretary.
Saturday, Aug, 21, 1869
A very nice warm day. I was in Palatinate College, studying in the forenoon. In the afternoon , Messrs, Brown, Fidler, Loy, Landes, my Brother and I went to the depot to eat watermelons. Then we went home again. In the evening Messrs. Heilman, Herbert, Siegel, Myers, Lindarm, Hetrich, Liss and I were assembled in the chapel of P. College to form a German association, to learn to speak German.
Sunday, Aug. 22, 1869
A very nice day. I was in Sunday school and church in the forenoon. In the afternoon Messrs. W. Brown, Frank Brown, my Brother & I went on a visit to Mr. D. Diehl. Took supper there, then we started up the pike and went to college again. Was in my room in the evening.
Monday, Aug. 23, 1869
A nice warm day. I was in school Palatinate College. Also subscribed for a book…{illegible}
Tuesday, August 24th, 1869
A very nice day, A little windy and not quite as warm as the few preceding days. I was in school Palatinate College, Myerstown, Lebanon Co, Pa. I taught a class in Reading today. The first class I ever taught in Palatinate College. Also wrote two letters one to Mr. Levi Hummel, Pottsville and the other to J.M. Kremer, Summit Station. After supper I took a walk through town. Put my letter in the Post-Office then I returned home again and studied.
(signed)H.W. Schweigert
Wednesday, Aug. 25, 1869
A nice warm day. I was in school Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. A shower in the evening.
Friday, Aug 27, 1869
A nice warm day. I was in school. Palatinate College, Pa. In the evening I was in the Excelsior Literary Society of the above named institution.
Saturday, Aug 28, 1869
A nice warm day. A shower in the evening. I was at Palatinate Collect. Received a letter from G.F. Morgan. Then Mr. H. Beyer and I went to the depot to fetch Mr. Morgan’s trunk- but did not get it. Then we went back again to college. Also a got a number of pictures taken in a group. Viz. Mssrs W. Brown, Y. Brown, J. Hartman, J. Fidler, M. Loy, L. Hummel, D. W. Schweigert, H. Berger, F. Berger, I. Springer, and myself got a picture taken on one. And in the evening I was in the German Society of Palatinate College, Pa. Being elected as the first treasurer of said Society.
Sunday, Aug. 29, 1869
A nice warm day. I was in Sunday school in the morning (Reformed). After dinner, Messrs, Brown, Brown, Fidler, Loy, Hummel, my brother and I took a walk to get some apples, we also got quite a number. In the evening, I was in (Reformed) church.
Monday, Aug. 30, 1869
A nice day. I was in school Palatinate College, Myerstown.
Tuesday, Aug. 31, 1869
A nice day. I was in school Palatinate College, Myerstown, Leb. Co. Pa. Rec’d a letter from D. R. Ney In the evening. Mr. Morgan and I took a walk through town. Then I went to the cupper and got cupped. I had 8 cups on my chest. Paid 50 cents.5
Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1869
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A very nice day. I was in school Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa.
Thursday, Sept. 2, 1869
A nice warm day. I was in school Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa.
Friday, Sept. 3, 1869
I was in school Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. In the evening, I was in the Excelsior Literary Society. A very nice warm day.
Saturday, Sept. 4, 1869
A very nice warm day. I was in Palatinate College studying in the forenoon. Afternoon I was in town. My sister and Luckenbill’s two girls came on a visit so we got our pictures taken. Seven in one viz. Catherine Schweigert, Luckenbill, Lewis Hummel, D. W. Schweigert, F. P. Schweigert, & H. W. Schweigert. After supper they started off to D. Diehl's, and I went along a short piece. In the evening I was in the German Society. We wrote a letter to Mr. D.R. Ney.
Sunday, Sept. 5, 1869
A very nice warm day. I was in S. School & Church in the forenoon. Afternoon I went with the visitors to Mr. Diehl’s.
Monday, Sept. 6, 1869
A cloudy day. A few showers. I was in school, Palatinate College.
Tuesday, Sept. 7, 1869
A rainy cool day. I was in school Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. Received a letter from Levi Hummel from Pottsville, Pa.
Wednesday Sept. 8, 1869
A rainy day. I was in school – Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. Taught a reading class in the afternoon.
Thursday, Sept. 9, 1869
A nice day. I was in school – Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. Taught a reading class again today. Wrote a letter to Levi Hummel.
Friday, Sept. 10, 1869
A nice cool day. I was in school – Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. In the evening I was in the Excelsior Literary Society.
Saturday, Sept. 11, 1869
A very nice day. I was in Palatinate College, Myerstown, Leb. Co., Pa. In the evening I was in the German Society called “Schüller Verein” [rough translation: School Club] just started here. Put on an undershirt today.
Sunday, Sept. 12, 1869
A very nice warm day. I was in Sunday school in the morning (Reformed) in the afternoon & took a walk to the woods, called Bassler’s Woods about a mile from Palatinate College. Had a book and was reading. In the evening Mr. J. Hartman [and I] took a walk through town, then went to church (Reformed).
Monday, Sept. 13, 1869
A nice day. I was in school – Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa.
Tuesday, Sept. 14, 1869
A very nice warm day. I was in school – Palatinate College, Myerstown, Lebanon County, Pa.
Wednesday, Sept. 15, 1869
A very nice day. I was in school – Palatinate College, Myerstown, Lebanon Co., Pa. Got myself weighed this evening at J. Bowman’s store. Weighed 168 ½ lbs. My birthday today. 22 years. H. W. Schweigert.
Thursday, Sept. 16, 1869
A nice warm day. I was in school – Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. In the evening I was in prayer meeting, Reformed Church.
Thursday, Sept. 17, 1869
A nice day. I went home from school, Palatinate College. Took the cars from Myerstown, to Summit. There I went to my sister Sarah for dinner there, then I went home.
Saturday, Sept. 18, 1869
A rainy day. I was at the celebration at School House No. 5. We went to Daniel Brown’s woods Two Lodges {illegible} ended today with the Sunday school. Viz. Odd Fellows, order No. 649 of Summit Station & Junior Machinists, Schuylkill Haven, We also had the Pinegrove band. I addressed the Sunday school a little in German language.
Sunday, Sept. 19, 1869
A nice day. I was in church, Friedensburg new church. Afternoon I was in Sunday [school] No. 5. In the evening I was at Miller’s Singing school.
Monday, Sept. 20, 1869
A nice warm day. I went to school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. My father took me to Schuylkill Haven in the morning from there I took the cars to Myerstown. Wrote these letters to … {illegible}.
Tuesday, Sept. 21, 1869
A nice warm day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa.
Wednesday, Sept. 22, 1869
A rainy day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. Wrote a letter to Rev. B. Bausman, Reading Editor of the Hausfreund, I sent an article to him from Friedensburg.6
Thursday, Sept. 23, 1869
A rainy day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. In the evening I was in church (Reformed). Wrote a letter home.
Friday, Sept. 24, 1869
A cloudy day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. In the evening, I was in the Excelsior Literary Society.
Saturday, Sept. 25, 1869
A cloudy day. Mr. Morgan & I went to Womelsdorf with the cars. We went to the Orphans’ Home. Stopped there, took dinner. At about 2 o’clock, we started over to Zion. To Mr. Fidler’s house. Mr. Fidler was not at home, then we walked about a mile west from town, to schull’s house, he was not at home. Then we went to town again. Mr. Fidler was then at home. We ere in the house about time, then we went out driving. Came back again, we had intended to go home, get to Myerstown, but after we had taken our supper it was too late to make it to cars, so we had to stop at Womelsdorf one night. In the evening we walked through town. Then we went back again. Stopped a while in the sitting room chatting. Then we went to bed.
Sunday, Sept. 26, 1869
A rainy day. Mr. Morgan and I went home to Myerstown with the cars from Womelsdorf. Then was in my room the remainder of the day.
Monday, Sept. 27, 1869
A nice cool day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown.
Tuesday, Sept. 28, 1869
A nice day again. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. In the eveing Mr. Morgan and I went out about a mile and a half for some apples. Mr. Morgan went in the house and asked, then we took very near a bushel along to the building.
Wednesday, Sept. 29, 1869
A nice day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. In the evening, Mr. Morgan and I went out again for some apples. We took two traveling bags along. I went in the house and asked whether we could have come apples. They allowed us to take home 20. We filled our bags, started off home. We had nearly a bushel.
Thursday, Sept. 30, 1869
A nice warm day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. This evening Mr. Morgan and I were out for some apples.
Friday, Oct. 1, 1869
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A nice day. I was at school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. In the evening I was in the Excelsior Literary Society. Today I had my boots to Mr. Myers to shoe-marker and got them fixed. Paid $1.20.
Saturday, Oct. 2, 1869
A cloudy day. I was in Palatinate College today. We go out room papered today, Mr. Morgan & I. In the evening I was in the German Society.
Sunday, Oct. 3, 1869
A rainy day. I was in Palatinate College. In the forenoon I was reading the Bible. Afternoon I was in S. School (Reformed). In the evening I was in the building practing {illegible} then {illegible} wrote two letters today. One to Mr. Bender & me to {illegible} & Co.
Monday, Oct. 4, 1869
A cloudy cool day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa.
Tuesday, Oct. 5, 1869
A nice warm day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. Wrote a letter to Zeigler, McCurdy & Co, Phila, Pa.
Wednesday, Oct. 6, 1869
A nice day. I was in a school, Palatinate College, Pa. Paid $2.50 for a book called “Golden Sheaves”.7
Thursday, Oct. 7, 1869
A nice cool day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. In the evening, I was in church, Reformed.
Friday, Oct 8, 1869
A nice day, I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. In the evening I was in the Excelsior Literary Society.
Saturday, Oct. 9, 1869
A nice day. I was in Palatinate College,. Today we did not recite??? today as it is not customary at Ref. institutions to recite on Saturdays. My brother Daniel, Mr. Lewis Hummel, and William Henry Hummel, my nephew, came to visit me. They came with the spring wago and then took their trunks home. They stopped here and took dinner, then started home in the afternoon. Mr. Morgan and I then got ourselves ready and paid a visit to Rev. Wolf, Myerstown. In the evening, I was in the Excelsior Society.
Sunday, Oct. 10, 1869
A rainy day. Mr. F. Beyer, G. W. Beyer, G. F. Morgan & I took a walk over to the depot in the morning. Then we went back to building. Then I was reading here - noon in the afternoon was in S. School (Reformed Church).
Monday, Oct. 11, 1869
A nice day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa.
Tuesday, Oct. 12, 1869
A rainy day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. Election Day. I voted here in Myerstown Pa. Voted for Asa Packer & the whole Democratic ticket.8
Wednesday, Oct. 13, 1869
A rainy day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. In the evening I attended a temperance lecture – Z. L. Church.
Thursday, Oct. 14, 1869
A very nice day, a little cool. I was in school, Palatinate College., Myerstown, Pa.
Friday, Oct. 15, 1869
A cloudy day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. In the evening I was in the “E. Literary Society.”
Saturday, Oct. 16, 1869
A nice day. I was in Palatinate College, studying. Moved from my room to Mr. Morgan’s room roday. In the evening I was in the German Society, was elected corresponding secretary.
Sunday, Oct. 17, 1869
A nice day. Mr. Morgan & I took a walk to the depot in the morning. When we came back, we went to church, Reformed.
Monday, Oct. 18, 1869
A nice day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa.
Tuedsay. Oct. 19, 1869
A nice cool day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa.
Wednesday, Oct 20, 1869
A nice cool day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania.
Thursday, Oct. 21, 1869
A cloudy day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Lebanon Co., Pa. In the evening I was in prayer meeting (Reformed Church).
Friday, Oct. 22, 1869
A nice day. I went home on a visit today, I took the cars from Myerstown to Schuylkill Haven. Thence I walked home.
Saturday, Oct. 23, 1869
A rainy day, I was at home today. In the forenoon I helped my brother Frank and Father to shell corn. In the afternoon I did not work much except helped Frank to fetch a load of cabbage leaves from the field.
Sunday, Oct. 24, 1869
A nice cool day. I was at home today. In the forenoon, my brother, sister & I were in the woods picking chestnuts, afternoon I was in Sunday School, No. 5.
(Missing Oct. 25 – Oct. 29)
Saturday, Oct. 30, 1869
A nice cold day. I was in Myerstown, Palatinate College, Studying. Mr. Hartman cut my hair in the afternoon. Sent a letter to Zeigler, McCurdy, & Co. to Phil., contain ing $3.75 money for a book called “Farmers Book.” In the evening, I was in the German Society.9
Sunday, Oct. 31, 1869
A nice cool day. I was in my room reading in the forenoon. Afternoon, I was in Sunday School., Myerstown, Pa., Lebanon Co., Pa
Monday, Nov. 1, 1869
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A nice day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa.
Tuesday, Nov. 2, 1869
A nice day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa.
Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1869
A nice day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. Received a book, “How to Make the Farm Pay,” also a canvassing book.
Thursday, Nov. 4, 1869
A nice day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. In the evening I was in prayer meeting (Reformed).
Friday, Nov. 5, 1869
A nice day. I was in school Palatinate College. In the evening, I was in the E. L. Society.
Saturday, Nov. 6, 1869
I was in Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. Wrote a letter for the Excelsior Literary Society. In the afternoon I helped Mrs. Nicks to put away the Dahlias in the evening. I was in the German Society, Conducted the opening exercises. Read a hymn, a chapter out of the new Testament (12 Chapter Rom) offered prayers, Then said public prayer, 2 offered to a society or to the public.
Sunday, Nov. 7, 1869
A cold day. I was in Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa. Mr. Beyer, Morgan, & I took a walk to the depot in the morning. Then we went home again. Was in my room till noon. Afternoon I was in Sunday School (Reformed). In the evening I was in church (Reformed).
Monday, Nov. 8, 1869
A nice cool day. I was in school, Palatinate College, Myerstown, Pa.
Tuesday, Nov. 9, 1869
A nice day. I went home from school today. I went with the cars to Summit. From there I went to my sister Sarah. There I took dinner. Mr. Kremer and I went to Matchens’s rope factory when we came back, I went home.
Wednesday, Nov. 10, 1869
A nice day cold day. I was at home. They fetched the doctor for me. Mr. Ferrebee had a husking party today.
Thursday, Nov. 11, 1869
A cold day. I was at home today, laying about in the house.
Friday, Nov. 12, 1869
A nice cold day. I was at home today. The doctor was here again. Mr. J. Fertig was here also; had the washing compound to introduce it.
Saturday, Nov. 13, 1869
A cold snowy day. I was at home. Levi Hummel & sister Lucy & her little boys came home today. Read a letter from G.F. Morgan.
Sunday, Nov. 14, 1869
A nice day. I was at Luckenbills in the forenoon. Sunday school afternoon, School No. 5. Addressed the scholars.
Monday, Nov. 15, 1869
A cool day. I was at home working a little.
Tuesday, Nov. 16, 1869
A nice day. I was at home. Thrashing machine came today.
Wednesday, Nov. 17, 1869
A cold day. I was at home. Afternoon I was in Friedensburg with doctor. Mr. J. L. Dewald was here today from Indiana.
Thursday, Nov. 18, 1869
A nice day. I was in church in the forenoon, Friedensburg new church. Afternoon I was at home. In the evening I was in meeting at Manbecks.
Friday, Nov. 19, 1869
I was at home. I was a while in woods hunting chestnuts.
Saturday, Nov. 20, 1869
I was at home in the forenoon. Church in afternoon at Friedensburg.
References:
1The college refers to Palatinate College. Founded by the Lebanon Classis of the Reformed Church and incorporated in 1868. Palatinate College was located in Myerstown, Lebanon County, Pennsylvania. It was a classical and coeducational institute that only enrolled freshmen and sophomores and suffered financial difficulties that led to its demise. By 1898, the school was sold for $10,000 to the United Evangelical Church and rechartered as a four-year institution and renamed Albright College.
Barth, Eugene Howard, and F. Wilbur Gingrich. Discovery and Promise: A History of Albright College, 1856-1981. Reading, PA: Albright College, 1989, p. 25.
Wickersham, James Pyle. A History of Education in Pennsylvania. American Education: Its Men, Ideas, and Institutions. New York: Arno Press, 1969, p. 422.
2Schweigert was a member of the Excelsior Literary Society while at Palatinated College. Like those at other colleges and universities during the mid-late 19th century, this student organization held political and philosophical debates and discussions, as well as literary topics.
Harding, Thomas Spencer. College Literary Societies: Their Contribution to Higher Education in the United States, 1815 — 1876. New York: Pageant Press International, 1971.
3The Independent Order of Odd Fellows is a social organization that Schweigert was a member of while at school and during the summers back home. He regular went to Lodge #649, a farmers lodge in Summit Station, PA.
4Schweigert refers to a lunar eclipse on Aug. 7, 1869. Technically, it was a solar eclipse of the moon and it could be seen from Schweigert's location in Friedensburg, especially on a clear night after "a very nice day." A photograph of the eclipse was taken in Shelbyville, Kentucky, which lay directly in the path of the eclipse.
Peirce, Benjamin. Solar Corona at Eclipse, Shelbyville, Kentucky August 7, 1869. Photograph, August 7, 1869. http://www.repository.cam.ac.uk/handle/1810/228636.
Espenak, Fred and National Aeronautics and Space Administration. “Total Solar Eclipse of 1869 August 07,” December 20, 2013. http://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEsearch/SEsearchmap.php?Ecl=18690807.
5Schweigert doesn’t state the reason for visiting the cupper, but we can assume that he was going to seek relief from some type of illness. Cupping is a form of bloodletting that can be traced back to Hippocrates and was used during the nineteenth century to treat a variety of illnesses that ranged from consumption, measles, gout, sore throat and even lunacy.
Haller, John S. American Medicine in Transition, 1840-1910. Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1981, p. 36, 46.
The cupping process “consisted of heating a glass or metal cup and placing it on the skin— for example, on the chest or back of a pneumonia patient. As the glass or metal cooled, it pulled the patient’s skin into the cup, creating a painful irritation.”
Schroeder-Lein, Glenna R. Encyclopedia of Civil War Medicine. Armonk, NY, USA: M.E. Sharpe, Inc., 2008, p. 75-76.
6
Reverend Bausman was the editor of the German language religious journal for the Reformed Church, which primarily served Easter Pennsylvania, from 1867 - 1903. The official title was "Der Reformierte Hausfreund" or, the "Reformed Family Friend" in English. It had a circulation rate of approximately 3,000 but was said to have reached 10,000 readers and was credited with encouraging readers to make donations to the Reformed Church's treasury. Schweigert most likely had access to this publication as a member of the Reformed German Church.
Ranck, Henry Haverstick. The Life of the Reverend Benjamin Bausman D.D., L.L.D. Philadelphia, PA: The Publication and Sunday School Board of the Reformed Church in the United States, 1912.
7
The book referenced in the diary:
Cleveland, Horace A. Golden Sheaves Gathered from the Fields of Ancient and Modern Literature. Philadelphia, PA: Zeigler, McCurdy & Co., 1869. Available through HathiTrust Digital Library
8Asa Packer (1807 — 1879) lost the Pennsylvania gubernatorial election in 1869. Packer is most famous for being a wealthy railroad company own and founder of Lehigh University, as well as a Pennsylvania state congressman(1841-1842, 1842-1843) and U.S. Representative from 1852 — 1854.
Davies, Edward J. “Packer, Asa.” American National Biography Online, 2000. http://www.anb.org/articles/10/10-01261.html
9
The book that Schweigert refers to:
Dickerman, Charles W., and Charles Louis Flint. How to Make the Farm Pay; Or, the Farmer’s Book of Practical Information on Agriculture, Stock Raising, Fruit Culture, Special Crops, Domestic Economy & Family Medicine. Philadelphia, PA: Zeigler, McCurdy & Co., 1869.