PioneerGirl


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Sarah Gillespie was born near the end of the Civil War. Her family were pioneer farmers in Iowa. They lead hard-working and difficult lives. Sarah was 12 when she wrote these entries in her diary.
 * Background: **

Go to school. My parents have been married 15 years today. We have a surprise party here this evening. There were 23 guests in all. Ma and Pa were married over again. We had supper, all kinds of cake, pie, and best of all, watermelons and muskmelons. They presented my ma and pa with a set of glass dishes. A real nice time we had! Moonlight evenings now. Warmer.
 * ENTRY ONE **
 * //September 18, 1877// **

**//September 27, 1877//**. We all go to the fair. We had a good time. I got two prizes; one on cake and one on bread. Ma has the first price on a great many things but a few in town are trying to make a fuss about it and say they are not worthy of a prize. Mom is a little spunky about it!
 * ENTRY TWO **

I am 13 years old today. Go to Sabbath school, where my new pink chambray dress. In the evening we all take a ride. This is the way I have celebrated my 13th birthday. Very warm.
 * ENTRY THREE **
 * //July 7, 1878// **

Today is the last day of July. I help ma. Just as we got the turkeys and ducks in under some boards and in a box, it began to hail and rain. I tell you, it rained so hard that we could hear it over 2 miles away. Pa said if it was a tornado that we must go down cellar. It is blowing real hard and raining now.
 * //July 31, 1878// **