April 29, 1853 – Final entry of Diary #10 (The Big Move)

19 Charlton St.
Friday April 29th /1853.

I packed our trunks, and bid adieu
to our pleasant home. Left Mr H. the boys and servants
to finish up moveing [sic]. Took the cars for 19teenth St.
Mother received Julia, & myself most kindly, and during
our visit, all our pleasures and comforts were attended too.
We had a charming time, and every thing was harmonious.
Laura & the children made a pleasant variety.
My miserable attack left me quiet & rest restored me
to a state of composure, and all my troubles were
covered over with smiles.
Julia went to school, took the omnibus & her lunch.
Aunt Cate looked after us all & was the good angel of
the household. The Miss B’s from next door called, and
Mr D. came in time.
Mr H. had an attack of chills, was sick in bed, the expo.
sure of the new house made Louis sick also. Rem
looked slim, they worked hard.
I went to 24th in the middle of May. It was two
months before the house was in order.
New carpets, oil cloths, and furniture for Julia’s room,
window shades, chandeliers, occupied time.
This situation is delightfull.
We went to the Ridge in July.
after Julia finished school.
She passed a good examination, and left at the head of
her classes, loaded with premiums, humours; and the

affection of all her teachers, & companions.
Cate, went with me, to witness the closeing [sic] scene of
Cousin Julia’s, honorable school career.
I felt proud of my little scholar, and feel that my
labour has not been in vain.

April 19 and 20, 1853 – “Preparing for the move”

Tuesday. 19 April. 1853.
A lovely day. spring indeed.
Rain in the evening.
We all slept too late for such a
fine morning. My chest sore, but cough not troublesome.
Still I feel only half well.
Took an early walk to Abingdon Square, for air & health.
Cloak & fur [victorine], too much, the sun very warm.
My cold wash on my return.
Ann packed two trunks, under my eye. She is poor
at the business; willing.
Mr Craig, our neighour moveing [sic], they are fortunate to get
their house, we shall have some trouble, as the Mathew’s,
house is unfinished. How I dread this ordeal; now
my cold has arrived! My first step to.day, to pack trunks.
Laid on the bed an hour, slept and dreamt of music.
No calls this morning; thank fortune.
I fear company this evening; Walked before dinner.
Julia went to bid the Miss Loyds adieu, returned
their books. She is pale & complains of fatigue.
No calls to.night.
Mr H. gave Louis a severe reprimand for his poor report.
I am afraid his manner is not the one to impress a
son, particularly a boy of Louis [sic] temperament. He appears
silent, dull, and cold, often passionate, never affectionate, or
willing to make self sacrifices; but may still have pride & will.
He is quick at play, and fond of reading & mechanics.

Wednesday. 20th April. 1853
A mild rain untill night, sun set clear.

I would get up although G. wanted me to lie in
bed. My tongue furred.
Exerted myself after breakfast, and felt very languid; laid
a few moments on the bed.
Mended Louis[‘] green coat, his old friend.
Put our house in order, looking for Bruner
to buy the carpets
A man came to measure every story, this finished the
idea of selling our old stock. Bruner did not come.
I slept an hour, my cold seems better to.day, still
a delicate chest warns me to be carefull.
Hope to be well before the trouble of moveing [sic]; begins.
I should like to board two weeks; and send the boys up
the river. Have no friends house to go to for refuge;
tho we entertain many who feel at home in ours.
Mother has kindly invited me, if her family was small
I would not hesitate to go a week with her.

Louis went over to see Remsen L. and took his book
back. Julia writing a composition on “William Tell.”

April 17 and 18, 1853 – “Mr Dwight in the picture”

April 17. 1853. 19 Chalrton St. New York.
Sunday. Easterly rain. pouring in torrents.

We could not venture to church.
Remsen Lawrence and the young folks sat in the basement.
I kept to my room.
Mr H. took a warm bath.
Julia, wrote to her Aunt Margaret, and to Aunt Maria.
We retired to bed early.

Monday. 18. 1853.
Clear, & bright.
I have a cold, and cough
more than usual. Took a cold bath. Walked out for
morning air, felt better.
Gave Remsen Quinine, as it is eight days since his last
chill. Amused him with Back gammon.
Emily Burgoyne called, took a lunch of cake & wine.
She looks very pale & miserable.
A package came for Miss Julia.
She found a note, and beautifull port folio from George Wethey [sic]
A pretty remembrence of the past; Sing Sing friendship.

Mr H. paid Mr Dident bill. A relief to me, it was
enormous. $178.95.
Sent his waggon[sic] to Benjamin. He has now parted with
all his horses; waggons, and equestrian accoutrements.
Louis bears it like a hero.
I walked to nineth St. with Julia, enquired after Mrs Hutton.
She is in her room, not confined. A chat with Mrs T.
Julia went to tea at Mrs Okills, all the first class invited,
she called for Fanny Tileston.
Mr Dwight, called to night, I felt sorry & ashamed
to have Julia from home.
My cough troublesome, eyes filled with tears, so that I felt
unable to entertain him. He left soon.
I must take some toddy to night.
Mr H. went up to Mrs Okills for Julia, had a chat with
her, she awards great praise to Miss J.
Her singing much admired, her variety much in her fa.
vour.
I was in bed on their return, and felt mesmerized by
Ann’s rubbing and gin.tody.
Louis & Remsen go early to bed before ten.oclock.

April 1853 – “Young Julia’s birthday and more illness in the Lawrence family”

April. 1853. 19 Charlton St. New York.
A month of smiles, and tears. sunshine & showers.

On the 1st Julia’s birth.day. She is now
17 years of age. Strangers call her beautifull; I think
her pretty, gracefull, and intelligent, a good musician,
and well gifted in intellectual adornments.
Her mouth is beautifull, and her teeth in good order.
She is not vain, but very particular about dress; has
good taste, and a very genteel carriage & air.
I presented her a pair gloves & de laine dress.
A bottle of perfume from grandmother.
A magnificent boquet [sic] of flowers from Mr Christian
and a note admirably composed.
This pleased her much.
He came in the evening, Mr Dwight,
Fannie. They parted in some little pique.
Fannie staid all night.
I sent a cake to mother. Henry
sick the past two weeks. Colds prevalent in 19 St.
all their family complaining.
A visit from mother, two of them in this month.
Henry spent the morning of his birth.day. 43.
He was quite lively, lunched on pie & pudding.
Cornelia Lawrence, spent the day with me.
We went to two tea.parties, given for her; one at
mothers, and one at Miss Baileys, in this month.
The bride Mrs Joe Bailey present; plain but good.
Mr H. will come for me, he improves; is more
sociable than in former times.
His spirits are not buoyant, as in auld lang syne.
The horses sold, and two waggons [sic] to Mr Pray.
The [rockonay] to Benjamin.

March 1853 – “Money troubles and the sale of the house”

March. 1853. 19 Charlton St.
Fine weather through this month.

A great change in the money market,
money tight and stocks down to a frightfull depth.
Mr H. alarmed, his losses will be very heavy.
We are both anxious for the event of this dark cloud.
G. scarcely sleeps, and grows thin. He is much depressed,
more so than I ever saw him on previous trials.
I must try and cheer him.
*We sold our house to Peter Bruner $6.500,
oil cloths in the bargain. before the pressure in the business
was known.
Regretted our sale, when too late.
To move will be a great trouble and expense. Mr H
was too sanguine, and did not consider the cost. Carpets
alone will be a bill of expense; and every thing look [sic] less
comfortable in a large house, with bare walls. Julia is the
only one who is satisfied, she poor child sees only the bright side.
My eyes have rested on too many dark pictures, not to sym.
pathise with the artist, who would fain colour our lives brightly.

 

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*This same townhouse sold for $8,600,000 in 2011