January starts bitterly cold with the biggest tide since 1854 recorded by this diary keeper who is full of cold and aches. John Ward is his name, his wife is Hannah and their children Tom, Dan and Nellie. Each day John Ward writes recording the weather, the seasons, his working days and the produce procured for the family shop which is situated near Alford in Lincolnshire. Sides of bacon and ham and blocks of butter are bought weekly from Mr Shaw, local cheeses are procured, Rimmington’s tea bills are paid and Huntley and Palmer biscuits are delivered. Business is slow in January. While Hannah minds the shop John Ward is always busy in his own garden, digging or surveying and spending long days starting at 6 am at [dog] Farm, planting potatoes and beans. The weather is a constant feature throughout the diary as is John’s health and many headaches. Warmer days bring trips to Mablethorpe Flower Show and Skegness Races in July. The Rectory Feast is enjoyed ‘I had a look at the moon with Bond’s telescope.’ On July 21st John writes, ‘sold Briggs the old home [occupied lately by John Black] for 20 shillings’. John labours outdoors daily except for Sundays when he attends church. Himself and Hannah attend Alford Gala on August 6th. Trips to the coast with his son fishing for shrimps and whelks and ‘a nice harvest day indeed’ on September 8th round off the summer months. Cabbages are set in November and apple dumpling is on the table for dinner. Local family names are scattered throughout. Bella and Polly Gibbons are confirmed; Dennis Gardener of Alford visits; ‘old Elliott came in for bacon’; George Robinson’s wife Nelly dies on November 23rd. A cold and snowy December rounds off a busy year, ‘no company at all this Christmas what a blessing we have all to each ourselves’.
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
Hard backed, cloth bound trade diary titled ‘Chemists’ and Druggists’ Diary for 1877’ in good condition, lacking weeks 22-25 (May-June). Corners a little bumped, cloth a little age worn; spine relaid. Advertisements printed in red over yellow paper to front and rear endpapers in very good condition. To front are 64 pp. of further advertisements, including a list of medicines. Each diary week is laid out per individual leaf and a hand written entry is recorded for every day of the year. Leaves are in very good and legible condition throughout. To the rear further advertisements fill 72 pp. and a memoranda section records hand written account details for butter titled ‘Mr Shaw in account with John Ward’. Laid in is a hand written reference for John Ward describing his experience surveying land. Written below the reference’s recipient states ‘The above may be true and correct but we cannot do with you old chap’. Additionally laid in is a small hand written receipt dated Feb 18th 1848 for items including soap, castor oil, biscuits and calico.
