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Sunday February 23d. 1840.
A damp morning, warm and summer like at 12.
I did not go to Church in the morning.
Garret went three times. Julie and I after noon.
Slept an hour in the morning.

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Saturday. February. 22. 1840.
A clear morning, but damp and clouded at 12. had the back parlour windows washed. Arose
with the sun, had the baby all night in my arms; felt rather slim. Breakfast earlier than usual now. Walked with Maria, to Mrs Remsens; and Mrs Smiths. Rode to Park.place to Browns
with them. Walked home, Broadway full of

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Bells and beaux. Finished my letter to Maria Hasbrouck. Did not feel well after dinner.
Children all well.
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1840 daguerreotype taken in NYC, shows Broadway

For more on this image, go to the NY Times site.

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Friday. Feb. 21. st. 1840.
A beautifull, clear, mild day.
Paid three visits with Julie, in the morning.
Mrs Pells, Mrs. Martin’s, Mrs D. Remsens.
Took tea at Chelsea; Henry came for me. Met Bell, and Mrs Woodruff. Julie, sleepy and tired on our way home. Garret came for me at 7. Bought two. lbs “moche coffee”, on trial. Mrs Lee called.

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Thursday. Feb. 20.th. 1840.
The promise of a spring day, and sun.shine;
I slept soundly all night; at five oclock found my little beaux, missing, dozed again untill six,
Sent for Remsen, to nurse. he has a cough, but does not appear sick. The pavements still too

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damp to venture out. Received a “New Museium” [sic] full of interesting matter. At 12 oclock walked out with Julie; Found cloak, and Fur shoes uncomfortable warm. The air oppressive, and warm.

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Wennsday [sic]. February 19, 1840.
Another damp. misty day.
Garret does not like this weather, it affects his health, and spirits. Passed my day sewing, and reading, felt dull, and in the morning a little sick at my stomach (1). Think it proceeds from want of exercise, in the open air. Filled all the Wine decanters. Bought some oranges. 9 d.
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(1) Julia does not realize that she is “enciente” (pregnant)

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31 years old
Tuesday. February 18. 1840. My birth. day.
Dark, damp, and raining all day¬.
I was prevented from going to spend the afternoon with mother, this is only the third time, by bad weather. Had been kept restless through the night by Remsen. Laid down at 12 oclock to rest out slept a short nap. Got up to dinner, Garret did [not]

remember it my birth-day. I did not remind him of the melancholy fact; fearing a whipping on the occasion. Spent my evening with Garret, he reading, and I sewing. So mild as to omit our usual fire to sleep by. Bridget, commenced keep-ing Remsen all night.

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Monday. Feb. 17. 1840
Mild, clear and pleasant
Arose at seven. Took the children over to the Menagerie, they were both afraid to venture in.
Louis would not be persuaded to look in the den. They both turned pale, and trembled.

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We walked with them to the “Museum”; and rode home in a stage. I felt much fatigued.
Cath & Maria called an hour to rest; Invited Sis and I to tea to morrow. Sent Ann for 7 lbs of Crackers from [Treadwales].
Garret received a letter from the Dr. (1) all well at Marbletown, I spent the afternoon reading a new “Museum”. The weather mild, and spring-like to.day. Winter has almost passed; it has been a very cold season. Do not feel able to help Remsen all night; Bridget takes charge of him half the night. A present of a “Victoria shirt” from G.D.H. Heard the rain falling in torrents in the night.
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(1) Dr. Jacob Hasbrouck (1807-1891), Garret’s brother, lives in Marbletown

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Sunday. Feb. 16. 1840.
Bright pleasant sunny day.
Arose an hour earlier than usual. Took Julie to Church. A charity sermon from Dr Knox.
Slept two hours after dinner. Did not get out in the evening, Altho’ moonlight was quite a temptation.
Could not get tea over early enough to get to Church.

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Saturday. Feb. 15, 1830.
A bright sunshine; clear and crystal. Arose early, and breakfasted earlier than usual. Put fresh vinegar on my peaches. Walked a mile with Julie, found it cool, and blustering
The Miss Brinkerhoffs, called to see me. Expected Henry after dinner, to gallant Sis and I up to Chelsea.
He did not come. Prevented me from walking.

After tea walked to Chamber St and back with Garret. The moon almost full, the sky cloudless, the air keen enough to freeze my fingers.
A new hat came home for Louis. The children all walked out to.day, not excepting “Little old Rem”.
My appetite returned, quite well again, but very much annoyed by my old troubles.

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Friday. February . 14. 1840.
A damp stormy looking day.
Expected to have gone up to mother’s, sent a note by Ann to see if Bell had ventured. C. sent me word they did not expect us [in] such damp weather. I did not feel quite well, and was glad to recive [sic] this message. Spent my day sewing, and reading. The rain commenced in the evening, it poured in torrents, and blew a hurricane in the night.
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Antique Valentine

Some of you noticed that Julia never mentions Valentine’s day. Here is a bit of information about the birth of this holiday as we now observe it:
Although Valentine’s Day is a tradition dating back to the Middle Ages, and perhaps beyond, it began to be popularly celebrated by Americans around the 18th century. Sometime after 1847, Esther Howland, the “mother” of Valentine’s Day cards, was among the first to publish and sell valentines in the U.S. “It was common for friends and lovers of all social classes to exchange small tokens of affection or handwritten notes, and by 1900 printed cards began to replace written letters due to improvements in technology.” For even more information, click here, and here and here!