1802. MARY ANN BACON—HER JOURNAL.
Reading edition
Mary Ann Bacon was born February 9, 1787, and married, November 13, 1815, Chauncey Whittlesey, of Roxbury, Connecticut.
“MARY ANN BACON’S JOURNAL” WRITTEN IN THE 15TH YEAR OF HER AGE.
I left Roxbury at eleven Oclock Thursday June 10 1802, accompanied by my Father after riding about ten miles we stopped at Mr. Mosely about three Oclock where we refreshed our selves and mounted our horses about four and rode in solitude saw many beautiful meadows and the little birds warbling sweet notes seeming to enjoy the sweet pleasures of life it rained a little before we reach’d Litchfield which was about Six oClock in the afternoon. Papa got me into Board at Mr. Andrew Adams’s.[34] After staying a short time we parted and being much fatigued I retired to rest soon after tea.
Pl. XII.—Mary Ann Bacon From a miniature
Friday June the11
Arose at five Oclock the family was not up walked in the Garden for the morning was very pleasant meditating upon the beauties of Nature and reflecting with many disagreeable feelings upon have parted from my kind Parents and Acquaintance to live with strangers I returned to the house where breakfast was almost ready at Nine 67oClock went to school with Miss Cornelia Adams drew and heard the Girls read history, at Noon studied my Dictionary and devoted the afternoon to reading drawing and spelling and spent the rest part of the day with Mrs. Adams and her daughter and retired to rest at Nine oClock.
Saturday the12
Arose about six oClock in the morning read till School time and spent the fore noon hours in drawing and the Girls was questioned in the bible and reminded of their faults which Miss Pierce had discovered during the week in the after Noon took a walk but saw nothing entertaining returned to my Chamber where with many disagreeable feelings I indulged myself I soon found I must not give way these unhappy feelings went down stairs and when they were all assembled each one read a Chapter in the bible And retired to rest at Nine.
Sunday the13 June
Arose at six Oclock walked in the garden came back and after breakfast went up stairs contemplating on the beauties of Nature and read several Chapters in the bible in the book of judges would have attended meeting but rain prevented in the Afternoon retired to my Chamber meditating upon the different situation in this life a little before evening the boarders were all seated each one read a Chapter in the bible and retired to rest at Nine Oclock
Monday June the14
Arose about half past five took a walk with Miss Adams to Mr. Smith’s to speak for an embroidering frame after breakfast went to school heard the young Ladies read history studied a Geography lesson and recited it. In the afternoon I drew read and spelt. After my return home my employment was writing and studying I spent the evening with Mrs. Adams and retired to rest about half past nine oClock
Tuesday June 15th
Arose at Six oClock after breakfasting took a walk purchased some Linen attended school drew and read in History. In the afternoon I spent the hours in Drawing Reading and Spelling. After school I was busily employed in Sewing.
Wednesday June 16th
Arose about six oClock spent the morning in writing went to school studied a geography lesson and recited it. In the afternoon drest, 68went to school drew till 4 oClock when I walked to Mr. Smith’s with Miss Strong to see Miss Rogers where I spent the After noon in very agreeable conversation and was accompanied by Miss Rogers and Miss Strong to the School Ball where I staid till about Eleven oClock and then returned home with Miss Scovil and retired to rest at half past Eleven....
Sunday June the20
Arose at Six oClock in the morning read two or three Chapters in the bible drest for meeting heard a sermon delivered by Mr. Huntington which I thought was very good the text was in Proverbs 15 chapter and 9 verse in these words Fools make a mock of sin at Noon read a chapter in the bible in the afternoon attended meeting heard a sermon from the same text After Meeting read in the Letters from the dead to the Living which was very entertaining After a short time the boarders were all seated each one read a chapter in the bible in the evening saw Company and retired to rest at Nine....
Monday June the21
... a little before evening took a walk with Mrs. Adams to Mr. Smith’s saw Old Mrs. Adams who was 104 years old....
Sunday June the27
... Mrs. Adams read in the Afternoon read in Moral Entertainments which were very excellent after meeting read in the book called female education....
Thursday July 1
... took a lesson in music returned to Mr. Adams pricked off 2 or three tunes....
Wednesday July the7
... had the pleasure of attending independence ball there was a very large collection and I spent the evening very agreeable returned home and went to rest at one....
Saturday July the10
... in the Afternoon went to Parson Champion’s with the young Ladies to quilting....
Wednesday July 14th
Arose at four wrote two Letters in the morning and carried them to Mr. Huntington’s for Miss Charlotte Tomlinson to carry to Woodbury when she returned....
69Monday July 19th
Arose at five o Clock took a walk with Miss Leavitt to the stores to get humhum.[35]...
Wednesday July 21st
Arose at half past four o Clock took a lesson in music at five in the morning....
Tuesday July 27th
... in the evening heard Mrs. Adams good advice....
Friday 30th
Arose at four took a short walk with Miss Leavitt returned and after breakfast waited some time impatiently for my Papa who did not come until Eight o Clock when we mounted our horses and rhode till twelve when arrived my Grand Papa in Woodbury where we dined and spent about 2 hours in company with Miss Laury Bacon and my other relations when we sat out again about three and after riding a short time we was caut in a shower and arrived at Roxbury about five in the afternoon and was once more rejoiced to get home being quit fatigued we lay down after we were a little rested went into the store to get a frock when we came out found some pears which relished very well and presently tea was ready and soon after retired to rest which was about Eight o clock.
Tuesday August the3
Arose at five o Clock in the morning after breakfast was employed in fixing my clothes to return to Litchfield we set out from Roxbury about Eight o Clock and rode till half past ten when we stopped at Captain Farrings where we tarried about 2 hours we then continued our ride till we arrived at Litchfield about two o Clock in the afternoon attended school time enough to study my spelling and spell but was too much fatigued to do more.
Sunday August the7
... read in the moral entertainments....
Wednesday August 11th
... Miss Pierce drew my landscape....
70Thursday August 12th
... had unexpected news that there was a going to be a ball at Mr. Adams boarders attended returned home at a propper hour and retired to rest.
Saturday August 15th
... copied my Composition began my dancing school this day was the first after they had all taken there lessons returned home had a very bad headache....
Friday August 20th
... in the evening Miss Tomlinson came to Mr. Adams’s her conversation was pictures boarding and history....
Wednesday August the23
Arose at six devoted the morning to studying the boundarys on the map in the four noon worked a little time I went out to the barn with the girls to study my lesson came in and recited it took a lesson in music in the afternoon read worked on my picture studied my spellings and spelt after school the Boarders all moved the South Chamber and my time was spent in writing in graret and I was forgot and licked to lost my tea however I did not go up raret again with out partisioning to some one to caul me meal times the evening was spent in reading till Nine and after that went down and went to Mr. Chappins at get some beer
Friday August the27
... about seven o Clock Papa and Mama came to Mr. Adams they brought me a little trunk and some cake & some fennel ... school was dismissed at four went to dansing school and Mama went with me waited some time before Mr. Armour came after they had half done taking there lessons I took mine and returned home with Mama for I was not well
Friday September 3rd (Roxbury)
... got me a white vail....
Saturday September 4th
... spent the morning in doing a few notions and copying my Journal in the after noon Mama & myself went to Uncle Frenches when we arrived there it was nearly sundown Aunt Betsey was a baking they had Cherry Wine after tea she showed us some chinc for curtens
71Thursday September 9th 1802
The morning was spent in Cleaning The Bedrooms Papa went to New Haven ... spent The Rest of The Day in writing my Gurnal Spent The Evening in Picking wool....
Tuesday September 14th 1802
... I was Not Very Well & Sent for Dr. Warner and Drawd Some Blisters on my Arms I was Sick To or Three weaks and I Neglected my Gurnal Ever Since I received my Piano Fort the 9 of October....
A COMPOSITION WRITTEN AT LITCHFIELD.
Mary Bacon.
The many hints suggested to us at school by Miss Pierce upon improvement leads me more frequently to reflect upon its importance and for what my Dear Brother was the rational mind given us was it not to be stored with useful Knowledge which alone can render life pleasing and above all fit us for the blessed society which all hope to enjoy. youth is the season for the propagation of every virtue but alas at this period how frequently do we see vice in its best colors presents it self to us and is there not reason to fear that unless we are constantly engaged in the attainments of virtue and knowledge we shall in the end widely deviate from the path of true glory the mind ever intent upon some thing seems to require of us materials proper for its exercise and for these must we not apply to the most approved authors and our own observations by reading it is justly said, we enjoy the dead, and by conversation The living, and by contemplation our selves. reading furnishes The memory conversation strengthens discernment and contemplation improves The judgment. I feel my Brother the sacrifice my Parents make in parting with a child in whose happiness I flatter my self they feel warmly interested and am sensible that nothing but an ardent wish for my own improvement could have effected our separation the propper employment of my time is the only return in my power to make for their solicitude. I feel that by this I shal augment my own happiness and accomplish the wishes of my Parents learning can only be acquired by application. Herculous was told that this price was set upon every real and noble virtue—Childhood has yet prevented you from leaving home where you are watched by a parental aye but as you advance towards manhood you are doubtless sensible that the cultivation of your mind only can procure the 72lasting esteem of your friends & this will lead you to the more full enjoyment of the great works of nature from books the great source of improvement we learn the situations manners customs virtues and vices of our own and distant Country which we should not discover was it not for the great advantage we derive from literature let us then aided by each other press forward in the road of improvement.
Your affectionate Sister
Upon Education.—
permit me Dear Eliza To Convey To you Some of These Sentiments which Occupy my Breast—The Tenderness of my Parents and The Facility with which—They Comply with Every request of mine fills my heart with—The Greatest Gratitude much I fear That I Shall Never—recompense Them. What Daughter Can Be so unfeeling as not To do every Thing in her power To make her parents happy and what can give them so much happiness as to see us anxious to improve every moment of the time—which is given us to acquire knowledge and those—accomplishments which alone can render us respectable—in the circle in which we expect to move. yet my Dear—how many are they who have every advantage which—nature and indulgent Parents can bestow. and yet they—spend there time in idleness & neglect to improve there minds when young grow in ignorance despised by all who know them—but I will turn from this—disagreeable picture and review one more Pleasing—we will for a moment dwell upon the happiness—of one who has improved her time—cultivated her mind and stored it with useful knowledge—she confers happiness on all her acquaintance and she—has the sweet satisfaction of knowing her conduct—is approved of by her Parents and what ever may be her situation in life she can find—pleasure in her own reflections—
I remain your friend—
Letter.
From the diary & composition & extract[36]
book of Mary Bacon of Roxbury. 1820
Pl. XIII.—Mary Ann Bacon’s Watch and Jewelry
If you have any natural taste for drawing I should wish you to indulge it. I think it an accomplishment very well adapted both to the taste and delicacy of your sex. It will agreeably exercise your ingenuity and invention it will teach you to discover a superior finish in all the varied landscapes and scenery of nature to survey the works 73of our distinguished Masters with an higher relish and a more poignant curiosity and it will heighten all the innocent pleasures of your retirement. when nature howls with wind, or is covered with snow you will be able to call a fancy spring upon the canvas of which the blossoms will be ever fragrant and the trees ever green. You may thus have birds always on the spray and larks apparently thrilling out praise to their bountiful creator.
Letters. Music by which I mean playing on an instrument or occasionally singing is a very desirable acquisition in any woman who has time and money enough to devote to the purpose for it requires no considerable portion of both. it will enable you to entertain your friends; to confer pleasure upon others, must increase your own happiness, and it will inspire tranquilite and harmonise your mind and spirits in many of those ruffled and lonely hours which in almost every situation will be your lot, the passions of mankind, however, have very much debased and profaned this art, which like others, was originally sacred and intended to chant the praises of the Almighty. many songs are couched in such indelicate language and, convey such a train of luscious ideas, as are only calculated to soil the purity of a youthful mind. i should therefore recommend, (if I may so express myself,) rather the sacred than the profane, of this study, indeed church music is in itself more delightful than any other, what can be superior to some passages of Judas Maccabaeus or the Messiah there is not, perhaps an higher among the melancholy pleasures than a funeral dirge.
Dancing, in a degree is proffesedly an essential part of a good education as correcting any awkwardness of gestures giving an easy and graceful motion to the body, and I practice early perhaps even in directing its grothe. Modern manners may however have carried the fondness for this accomplishment to an immoderate extreme. a passion for making the best figure in a minuet is vastly beneath the dignity of a woman’s understanding. and I am not sure whether excelling in this particular does not inspire too great a fondness for dissipated pleasures and portionably abate the ardour for more retired virtues. a woman who can sparkle and engage the admiration of every beholder at a birth night or a ball is not always content with the grave office of managing a family or the still and sober innocence of domestic scenes, besides dancing is not at certain moments without its temptations an elegant illuminated room brilliant company the enchanting power of music admiring eyes obsequious beaus attitude 74are apt to transport the mind a little beyond the rational medium of gentle agitation I would not however be a cynical moralist that would abridge you of any harmless amusement. I have only my apprehensions for your innocence for indeed it is a plant of a very delicate complection and you will then have attained the perfection of your character when you can mix a passion for these elegant accomplishments with a turn for solid and domestic virtue: when you can one night be distinguished at a ball and the next want no other entertainment than what the shade of your family a well chosen book or an agreeable walk are able to afford. I should wish you to be innocent and if possible accomplished at the same time but at any rate I would have you innocent because otherwise you cannot be happy
My Dear Lucy
Public pleasures are esteemed and called the amusements of women, but I think them far from answering the name, in fact they agitate, rather than relieve and repose. superior rivals eclipse; fancied friends are inattentive, and the gaity of the scene has no connection with quiet of the heart, the time money, and preparation they require, are a serious consideration, and there frequency renders them a business indeed of preserving health, they, undermined and destroy it. Late, hours, hot rooms, and an agitated mind Are unfavorable to rest; and the god of sleep will not long be defrauded of his rights without retaliating the office. what we call pleasure, is but a splendid and a voluntary service. if it had not the name of amusement we should shrink from it, as an intolerable burden. who are so grate slaves as the votaries of fashion; what requires more systematical diligence, than the watching of every varying mode of dress, and; catching these living manners as they rise; of all women they who call themselves fashionable, are the most unhappy; ever idle busy: ever vainly agitated; there peace depends on a whisper, on a look or a thousand little emulations, too ridiculous to be mentioned; they Dread a private moment more than an assassin and with very great reason; they cannot look into eternity with hope; reason suggests that they were born for something higher, and there are moments, when conscience will be heard. how unheeded are the cries and prattle of there infants; how unhappy must be the man, who has received from such women vows which they will not perform of fidelity and of attachment. after all it is only in the practice of virtue it is only in domestic life that lies all the solid, because all the——untumultuous joy—
75My Dear Lucy
Will you bear with my impertinence if I attempt to give you my directions on a subject where your sex are allowed to posses, infinitely more tact and judgment than our own, that of dress I offer how ever my plain and undisguised sentiments only for your advantage; and I am sure you will receive them with that candour and indulgence to which my friendship for you has an indisputable claim—Neatness, you cannot cultivate with too much attention, I would pres it on every female as strongly if possible as lord Chester field did the graces on his son. the want of it is unpardonable in a Man but in a woman it is shocking. it disgusts all her friends and intimates; has enstrang the affections of many an husband, and made him seek that satisfaction abroad which he found not at home—Some ladys who where remarkable attentive to there persons before marriage neglect them afterwards in an egregious manner. they cannot pay a worse compliment to there own delicacy or to there husbands. if they conceived some efforts necessary to gain the prize, more I am sure, are required to preserve it.—it is the opinion of I believe. Rochefoucault that nice observer of life and manners. That the affection of woman increases after marriage while that of man is apt to decline. Whatever be the cause a prudent woman will at least use every method to guard against so mortifying a change. Neatness however is easily practised and will always have considerable weight. in the eyes of servants and domestics indeed a woman loses her consequence and authority by a neglect of her person, she will not be obeyed with cheerfulness and she will be come an object of ridicule in all their private parties and conversation. if inferiors must be subjects they will pay an unconstrained homage only to a person who attracts by propriety, the estimation of the World—Neatness is the natural garb of a well ordered mind and has a near alliance with purity of heart. Laws has said of his Miranda that she was always clean without because she was always pure within and Richardson whose taste was as exquisite as his imagination glowing, has painted his Clarissa as always dressed before she came down stairs for any company that might break in upon her during the whole day. finery is seldom graceful. the easy undress of a morning often pleases more than the most elaborate and costly ornaments. I need not say of how much time and money they rob us which are sacred to virtue and to the poor nor how soon this very embellished body will be dust and ashes the perfection of the one is conveyed in two words an elegant simplicity. ladies are certainly injudicious in employing so many male frisseurs about their person. the custom is indelicate it is 76contrary to cleanliness and all their manœuveres cannot equal the beauty of natural easy ringlets untortured and unadorned every paper one opens is a violation of your delicacy and an insult to your understanding powders perfumes artificial eyes teeth hair advertised for your advantage would be a heavy stigma if some kind and well disposed persons amongst our own sex were not willing to share with you a part of the burden Blush my dear girl at such unseemly practice. be content to be what god and nature intended you appear in your true colors abhor any thing like deceit in your appearance as well as in your character. What must all sensible men think of a woman who has a room filled with a thousand preparations and mixtures to deceive him what money what time must be given to this odious insufferable vanity—Under such unnatural managements how different must be the female of the morning and evening. what must we think of marriage dresing rooms and toiletes what an opening for expostulation coldness aversion if an elegant simplicity be the perfection of dress this is surely as far as possible removed from perfection it is not simplicity it is not elegant. It would be cruel to add anything to the punishment of the men who can have recoursed to such effeminate artifices. they have already the scorn and ridicule of the other they are poor amphibious animals that the best naturalists know not under what class to arrange. Painting is indecent offensive criminal it hastens the approach of wrinkles it destroys constitutions and defaces the image of our maker would you think of giving the last touch to the Pieces of a poussin or a salvator Rosa Believe for a moment that the Almighty is at least as great in his way as either of these artists—let the martyrs of fashion luxury and dissipation who turn night into day have recourse to this filthy and abominable practice. let them seek a recourse from the rebukes of their conscience in gaity and noise. But let the fairness of your complexion be only that of nature and let your rouge be the crimson blush of health arising from temperance regularity exercise and air such simplicity will recommend you to god and if you retain any fears of ofending him how dare you deface his image in your countenance by artificial decorations. such innocence will charm when paint is dissolved—It will call up a bloom and cast a fragrancy even on the latest winter of your age—
[Poetry copied in her diary by Mary Bacon.]
Green Fields. Friendship. The Revilee. The Traveller. Fair Philis. The beauties of friendship. Adams and Liberty.
77Ye sons of Columbia who bravely have fought
For those rights which unstained from your Lives had descended
May you long taste the blessings your valor has bought
And your Sons reaps the soil which your fathers defended
Mid the reign of mild peace
May your nation increase
With the glory of Rome and the wisdom of greece
And ne’er may the sons of Columbia be slave
While the earth bears a plant or the sea rolls in waves.
Tallio. Winter. The absent lover. Friendship. The beauties of friendship. The praise of archery. The sheep in the Cloisters. Plato’s advice. The Bachelor’s Lamentation. The wandering lamb. General Wolf. The Sailor’s Consolation. The Hermit. The Blue Bells of Scotland. Hail Columbia. Within a mile of Edinburgh. The Sailor boy. Tally Ho. The Happy Soldier. Affettuoso. Tom of Aberdeen.
THE WOMAN OF MERIT DESCRIBED.
Without affectation, gay youthful & pretty
Without pride or meanness familiar and witty
Without forms obliging good nature and free
Without art as lovely as lovely can be
She acts what she thinks and thinks what she says
Regardless alike of both censure and praise
Her thoughts and her words and her actions are such
That none can admire her or praise her too much.
The faithful soldier.
JEFFERSON AND LIBERTY
The gloomy night before us flies
The reign of terror now is o er
Its gags inquisitor and spies
Its hords of harpies are no more
Rejoice Columbia sons rejoice
To tyrants never bend the knee
But join with heart and soul and voice
For Jefferson and Liberty
78O’er vast Columbia’s varied clime
Her lilies Forests Shores and dales
In rising majesty sublime
Immortal Liberty prevails
Rejoice Columbia’s Sons &c.
Hail long expected glorious day
Illustrious memorable Morn
That freedoms fabric from decay
Rebilds for millions yet unborn
Rejoice Columbias Sons &c.
His countrys glory Hope and stay
In virtue and in Talents tryd
Now rises to assume the sway
Oer freedoms temple to preside
Rejoice Columbias Sons &c.
Within its hallowed walls immense
No hireling bands shall eer arise
Arrayd in Tyrannys defence
To crush an injured peoples cries
Rejoice Columbias Sons &c.
No lordling here with gorging jaws
Shall wring from industy the food
Nor fiery Bigots holy Laws
Lay waste our fields and streets in blood
Rejoice Columbia’s Sons &c.
Here strangers from a thousand shores
Compelled by tyranny to roam
Shall find amidst abundant stres
A noble and a happier home
Rejoice &c.
Here art shall lift her laurel head
Wealth industry and peace divine
And where dark pathless forest spread
Rich fields and lofty Cities shine
Rejoice &c.
79From Europes wants and woes remote
A dreary waste of wave between
Here plenty cheers the humble Cot
And smiles on every village green
Rejoice &c.
Here free as airs expanded space
To every soul and sex shall be
That sacred privilege of our race
The worship of the deity
Rejoice &c.
The gifts great Liberty are thine
Ten thousand more we owe to thee
Immortal may their memories shine
Who fought and dyd for Liberty
Rejoice &c.
What heart but hails a scene so bright
What soul but inspiration draws
Who would not guard so dear a right
Or die in such a glorious cause
Rejoice, &c.
Let foes to freedom dread the name
But should they touch the sacred tree
Twice fifty thousand swords shall flame
For Jefferson and Liberty
Rejoice
From Georgia to Lake Champlain
From seas to Mississippis shore
Ye sons of Freedom loud proclaim
The reign of terror is no more
Rejoice
Pl. XIV.—Susan Masters, of New Milford, Conn. Pupil about 1805
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