of
Emmy Lou Jacobson
January
January 17, 1865
Finally a spare moment! We left yesterday. I watched New Bedford until I could not see it any more. Serena was getting impatient, but I want to remember the coastline of New England forever.The boat is really a mule-boat. Our rooms are really animal stalls, with two passengers to a stall on a mound of fresh hay. Since I'm travelling with a child, the ladies suggested that I take the stall at the far end, so that Serena can go to bed early. They will be surprised, I think, to see that this child doesn't think she needs any sleep at all!
There is another lady travelling with a child. Her name is Karen St. James and her brother is only four. We haven't had a chance to speak too much, despite her stall being across the aisle from me. Her brother, Jonathon, is just as wild as Serena. The two of them have been exploring the ship—although Serena says she is not going to spend her time watching a little boy.
And I can thank Biddie Cloom for this journal. All the ladies were busily writing away in their journals last night. Biddie noticed that I wasn't and wanted to know why. When I explained that I didn't have one, she pulled open her very large trunk and gave me one. I'm not sure I wanted to keep a journal, but Biddie insists that it's the proper thing to do and she is watching over me as I write this! She seems good at heart, but what a laugh she has!
January 18, 1865
Biddie just told me a funny story. She said that the other night during the "mutiny", when the men were having dinner, Captain Clancey belched rather loudly. Jason Bolt took his dinner and poured it on the captain's shirt, in order to get him to leave the room. I wonder what we are all getting ourselves into.Serena spent quite a while shoving all the straw from our stall into a soft bed for herself. She was asleep until the ladies came in planning to decorate the boat to make it look more like home.
January 19, 1865
At first, I thought Serena was only pretending to be suffering from the "mal de mer", but she ate very little at dinner and what she ate came back up. She must be sick, because she didn't complain when I tucked her in.
January 20, 1865
What a pleasure it was to walk on the decks. It seems like so many ladies are sick right now. Our stalls smell terrible! After I tucked my poor, sick little sister in, Biddie offered to watch her so I get some fresh air. The sea is so beautiful at night! There is just enough light to catch the whitecaps of the waves as they hit against the ship.
January 26, 1865
Tonight, Serena was feeling a little bit better, as were some of the other ladies. We all joined forces to clean our stalls up and the cleanliness will help those that are still sick to feel better still. In truth, not everyone helped who was able. Some ladies feel that it is beneath them. Some of them are disturbed by Jason Bolt's statement that we will sleep far worse than this in Seattle. I do wonder what he meant by that statement.Despite it being mid-winter when we left New Bedford, it is actually growing warmer each day as we head toward the equator.
January 30, 1865
Yesterday was terrible. A sailor fell overboard and drowned. I was hoping that Serena wouldn't hear about it, but of course, she did. Little Jonny keeps talking about taking one of the dinghies and going to rescue the sailor. He thinks that the sailor is still alive. It is so hard to make little ones understand—and yet, it is not something they should have to understand yet. It does not help that so many of the brides keep wailing about him. As tragic as it was, very few of us had ever spoke with him, so we cannot mourn him too much.Today was better. It was one of the younger bride's birthday today. Peggy arranged a surprise celebration for Lili and it was well worth it to see her expression of happiness.
February
February 1, 1865
Tonight when I went up for my walk on deck, Jason Bolt was also topside with his brothers. He asked about my sister and suggested that I bring Serena up to the pilothouse. He assured me that Captain Clancey would not mind and that she might even be allowed to steer the ship. Joshua Bolt very graciously offered to take me on a tour of the ship. I wonder if he knows just how much some of the ladies are saying about him and his card games? The little one, didn't say anything. I have been told that he has a speech impediment of some sort.February 4, 1865
Something must be going on. I have always prided myself on my ability to keep my clothes clean, but today, at least seven ladies have asked me if I wanted them to do my laundry.February 15, 1865
Serena should be glad that she lives in such civilized times, otherwise, she would have been made to walk to the plank. I wish that she understood what an opportunity has been granted us...I must apologize for taking so long to update my journal. I found Serena hard at work with what I thought were her lessons. Later that evening, when I sat down to write in my journal, I found out the truth: my dear little sister had decorated every single page of my journal with her artwork! There was scarcely room to write anywhere else within it. And, so, yesterday when some of the ladies went ashore (we are in Rio), I gave one of them some money to buy me a new journal.
I did not dare to go ashore, much as I wanted to, for I was afraid of what mischief my sister would get us into there.
After dinner, same day
It sounded as if everyone has had a splendid time ashore. Even the ones that have complained—you can tell that they enjoy complaining—they really enjoyed their sojourn ashore.
Anyway, Jason asked to speak with me after dinner. He correctly suspected why I had chosen to remain behind with Serena versus going ashore. He told me that tomorrow there will be a picnic and plenty of room for Serena to run around and suggested we join them. When I looked doubtful, he told me a few tales about the troubles he had raising his own brothers... I need to cut this short, if I'm to get Serena scrubbed and ready for bed at a reasonable hour.
February 17, 1865
We had a grand day yesterday at Corcovado. Serena behaved and did indeed seem to thrive in the fresh open air. It seemed a shame to come back to this dingy little ship.We now have some new passengers aboard and one of them is a girl just a year older than Serena. I am hopeful that they will become good friends, however Serena did not look too pleased.
February 27, 1865
More embarrassment, I think. I am not sure what to think. Alright, if I am honest with myself, I am not embarrassed, I am really rather glad. I just can't look happy about it.Here is what happened...,first of all, the Simontons have proven to be perfectly dreadful! Reverend Mr. Simonton is a fire-and-brimstone preacher and has made it perfectly clear that he does not approve of any of the brides, the Bolts, nor the crew, and especially not the reason for this journey. Mrs. Simonton looks as if she swallowed a whole barrel of lemons—not only is she shaped like a barrel, but her disposition is sour and her lips are constantly pursed. And her children—forgive me, Lord! I know I should not complain, but if I don't write it all here in my journal, I will have to complain aloud—her children show the result of poor upbringing. Tom, the seventeen-year old is not much younger than Jeremy Bolt, and is, in fact, close in age to many of the brides. And, yet, the only nice thing I can think to say of him, is that he still has much growing up to look forward to.
And Martha! I am glad that Serena does not get along with that child. I would be afraid of what awful habits my sister might pick up from her. As it is, I am doing my darnedest not to laugh when my sister imitates all of the Simontons.
But here is the very worst of it. Serena has started playing practical jokes. I do not know how many are aware of what she is doing, but tonight was the worst of all. Every evening, after dinner, Reverend Simonton has led a prayer service. These are poorly attended since he tends to pray for the redemption of our souls, which he feels have been corrupted by the Bolt brothers. Tonight, as he was progressing through his sermon—which he always reads from his notes—he started quoting "Mary had a little lamb", before catching himself and quickly ending the service. After that, he abruptly ended the service and excused himself. I discreetly grabbed his notes and found the page with the nursery rhyme on it, written in own Serena's hand!
The child—and I must keep reminding myself that she is only a child, pretended to be asleep when I returned below. I shook her awake and held the rhyme in front of her. She could tell that none of her stories would work, for she very meekly admitted that she thought the Reverend's sermons were boring and could use the improvement.
March
March 3, 1865
We must spend most of our time below decks for the time being, due to the inclement seas by the Horn. It is just as well, for that awful Tom has been pestering Serena's cat.March 6, 1865
Revenge is sweet! Anne Scarborough and Charity Stanford were spreading tales about Tom Simonton spying up through the deckholes to see what is underneath the ladies' skirts. Well, today, Peggy, Anne and I headed up above the decks where those two ladies walked back and forth along the deck. I stood ready with the pail of soapy water that one of the crew had been using to clean the deck. We knew Tom was near, for the boy is none too quiet. He must have been straining one eye up through a knothole, because his yowl was quite loud when I "accidentally" knocked the bucket over just as Anne walked by! I am clearly no better than Serena, and I may live to regret my actions, but for now, all of the brides are satisfied.March 11, 1865
Today it seemed we were in the middle of a great battle, when a shot was fired across the bow of the ship. Little Jonny was excited with the thought that it might be pirates and he and Serena entertained themselves with playing pirates. Martha looked on disagreeably as usual. Too bad she will not play with Serena and Jonathon. She might have fun.March 14, 1865
Finally the Simontons are gone! I hope never to see them again, however, I fear we might for Serena somehow managed to sneak into their rooms and steal all of Martha's pantaloons. I will wait until nightfall to drop this incriminating cargo overboard.March 17, 1865
Lota - I must be getting soft-headed. We went to the Consul's home for lunch and Serena ran happily around the beach. Things seem less fussy here than in New England. It was very relaxing.March 20, 1865
Tonight was wonderful! There was a party catered by the Consul. For once, I did not have to worry about that sister of mine. Peggy was too shy to attend and offered to watch Serena. I hate to admit that this was my first party as a guest and not a servant. Charity helped me with my hair. I know that many of the girls find her to be a snob, but when you don't know what to do nor what to wear, it doesn't hurt to go to such a vain creature and ask for assistance. It did my soul good, because, it was the first time that I actually spoke with Charity and I find that she is perhaps not as bad as I have heard.
April
April 7, 1865
If I cannot go to Seattle, I know where I would like to stay. We stopped at the island chain that Charles Darwin studied and found a beautiful lagoon where we were able to bathe and swim. Captain Clancey intrigued Serena by telling her tales about the mermaids that some sailors have reported. While Serena is too skeptical to believe such things as mermaids, you could see her looking around just the same.It was truly beautiful there and the plants and animals were unlike anywhere I have ever before seen.
April 10, 1865
This has been an odd evening. It started when Opal lost her sewing needle. She's a weepy sort at best, but she was beside herself over that lost needle, saying that "back home, you can always buy a new one." Jonny found the needle and tried to hand it to her, but she became hysterical over what a mistake she'd made in coming. Many of the other ladies tried to calm Opal down, but I think Opal just needs to cry it out.The mood must have been contagious, because it became fairly quiet. Occasionally one of the girls would say something like, "I wonder if Seattle has this or that?" and "I wonder what so-and-so is doing in New Bedford right now."
Even Karen, who is usually so cheerful was unusually quiet. I asked her about it and she said that she missed her cousin, Kate, who is in med school in Boston. They were very close and she has mentioned before how she'd wished Kate had joined us.
I guess I don't feel the homesickness, since it is just Serena and I and we had nothing to leave behind.
April 14, 1865
All of us must remain below decks in the evenings now. It's surprising how we didn't mind when the weather was bad, but now, because it is a curfew imposed to keep the ladies from interfering with the men's work, everyone is upset.Biddie has been teaching us how to play cards. She knows all kinds of games that her Uncle Raymond (I think) taught her. We have been betting using corn kernals. It is not REAL betting, but Miss Amanda sat watching us looking very prim and proper. She said that we should be praying instead of gambling. Biddie quickly responded, "Alrighty, then—I shall pray that I have a winning hand!" So maybe it's not proper for a lady to gamble, but I think Serena has won enough corn to make a muffin!
April 20, 1865
I had an interesting talk with Jason tonight. The "curfew" ended a couple of days ago and I have been able to resume my nightly walks along the deck after Serena falls asleep. He called me a "night owl", saying that he rarely sees me when the sun is out and shared with me how he used to enjoy the evening most of all. He seemed unusually talkative - I have found that while he talks a blue streak, he usually doesn't reveal much about himself, so I felt very flattered by him talking to me. (Although, I suspect he was really just talking out loud to himself - he didn't need me at all!).It must have been very hard on him when his parents died. His parents had been quite devoted to each other and it sounded as if his father had a hard time after their mother died. Not many years later, he died, too. Jason was left to care for Joshua and Jeremy. I gathered that Joshua was just old enough to get into trouble and felt too old to take orders from a brother. But Jeremy seemed to worry Jason even more. He told me that in the evening, after both his brothers were in bed, he would sit outside on the porch and "contemplate the stars" as he thanked God that he had managed to keep his family together for another day. He asked me if I were doing the same each night.
I confess, Dear diary, that I did not know how to answer him. I suspect that he is right, but I had never thought about it before. He is an interesting man, and gives one much to think about.
I must have looked moonstruck when I returned down below. I was really only thinking about what he'd asked me, but apparently some of the ladies saw me with Jason and were curious to know what he said. I told them that I thought it was something he wished kept confidential, which only caused them to giggle and announce I must be in love! My goodness! I am tempted to put a show on for them, pretending to swoon over him, but I fear that would make them worse.
April 24, 1865
We are once again in sight of the coast. It is so very different from the eastern shores of our great country and seems much rougher and more foreboding.Serena is delighted at the thought of once again being able to go ashore. She and Jonny have been up to no good again I fear. They've been helping clear the table after each meal, but have apparently been taking the left over food back down stairs with them. Then at night, they've been selling it to the ladies for a penny a biscuit or a teacake. Serena has accumulated thirty-three cents this way. I explained to why it was wrong and told her to return the money,but most of the ladies would not take it back. Well, my dear sister is in for a surprise. Instead of letting her spend her ill-gotten gains as she pleases in San Francisco, she will have to donate it to the first church we find.
April 26, 1865
We arrived in San Francisco quite late Monday night. Yesterday, Jason went ashore to tend to some business and to arrange for tours for us. Apparently, news of who we were and our arrival had been spread around the city, for curious people wandered by staring at us. A drunk man (at least I hope he was drunk for I would hate to think he was in his right state of mind) yelled over to the ship that he would marry any one of us that would stay behind in San Francisco. We did our best to ignore him. Poor Joshua looked fairly panic-stricken that one of us might be willing to leave while his brother was away.But instead of losing a "bride", we gained one! Around 10:30 this morning, a well-dressed woman approached the docks and called up asking if we were indeed the Shamus O'Flynn from New Bedford. Upon hearing that we were, she said that she had a message for Karen St. James. Karen came up, looking confused and then amazed, and then excited upon seeing the newcomer. Her cousin, Kate, had arrived! Kate decided just over a month ago to join us and took a faster ship to Panama, crossed over and beat us to San Francisco. I am amazed at how this could have happened.
We had quite a celebration on board! Jonny has moved into my little stall and is asleep next to Serena. Kate and Karen will share Karen's stall for the rest of our journey. At first, Kate looked as appalled as we all must have just a few short months ago when she saw our living conditions. She offered to take Karen and Jonny back to the hotel for the night, but Karen indicated that if she slept in a real bed for even one night, she might be tempted never to return. So, Kate announced that in that case, she would move on board with us that very day.
When Kate's bags arrived, it was like Christmas. She had letters for many of the ladies and lots of news from home. It was even a treat reading the newspapers that she'd lined her valises with, since the New Bedford news was only two months old.
Kate and Karen are catching up on old times as I write this. I cannot help but smile to hear them together. It must be wonderful for them! Even the ladies that normally fuss when they are trying to sleep are being most gracious tonight as they read the mail that Kate has brought them.
We have also learnt that President Lincoln was shot dead while attending a play.
It is now well past midnight. I need to try to rest, because the Bolt brothers have promised us a trip up to Telegraph Hill in the morning and that is only a few hours away!
April 28, 1865
We had the most delightful day today, Karen and I. Kate realized how much we wanted to escape our charges and offered to look after Jonny and Serena so that her cousin and I could roam San Francisco to our hearts' content. Many of the ladies chose to go shopping today, but Karen and I were as happy to get away from them as we were to be free of the ship!I have absolutely no idea where we went, but it was fun. There were some very expensive dress shops along one street. A park with a fountain near another. We were very careful not to go to far, because apparently parts of San Francisco are very dangerous indeed! Eventually we ended up at a little tea shop overlooking a garden courtyard. They were serving afternoon tea. The prices were outrageous, but Karen and I were feeling very extravagent, so we went in. Clearly we were not dressed as well as the residents of Nob Hill. There was one lady who wore ermine furs (at least that is what we guessed they were) and her hat had two very large ostrich feathers in it. Karen and I thought perhaps she got confused and bought her outfit at a zoo instead of a dressmaker's shop. Then there was another lady whose dress was trimmed with peacock feathers! It was all we could do to avoid staring at these people. And the jewels! I wonder if there are as many crown jewels in England as the ladies of San Francisco wear.
Karen and I were so bold going into the tea room. I don't know what has given me so much courage. Perhaps Candy Pruitt's and Kitty Mulhern's have rubbed off on me. The peacock lady made a deprecating comment about how Karen and I were dressed. I turned to her and said, "Excuse me, madam, but the ladies of New Bedford, Massachusetts only wear their jewelry for evening events." She sniffed and made a face, but she didn't bother us again. And as for the two of us, we had a hard time maintaining our dignity after that! Every time we looked at each other, we started to giggle. And in between, we gaily discussed whether we should wear our satins or chiffon dresses that evening. And whether Karen should borrow my sapphires to bring out the highlights in her eyes. We decided that diamonds were more suitable, since they go with everything so well.
We kept getting louder and more bold as we noticed the other people in the tearoom pausing to listen in. But we couldn't help ourselves. Karen started making up fashions in the East to see what reaction the ladies would give. "I do believe that alligator hats are making a comeback", she said. To which I added, "the ones with the peacock feathers and diamond buckles?" "No - that is passe. The ones that have the rabbit fur all around the brim." I wonder if we return here in six months if the peacock lady and her ostrich plumed friend will be wearing hats matching our descriptions? They were leaning over trying to catch every word we said.
After tea, we hurried back the ship. We were too afraid to do anything else after that escapade, but once back aboard our stylish mule boat we laughed and laughed until we cried.
April 29, 1865
Today we all went to the Cliff House. Karen and I were more subdued. I think we were both afraid we might run into people from the tea room there so we took the children over to view the sea lions on the rocky shore. They reminded me of old men with their whiskers. By the end of the afternoon, Serena and Jonny were able to do very good imitations of the sounds that sea gulls and the sea lions make.Kate is very pleasant. It is easy to see how close she and Karen are, for they quite often finish each others' sentences.
We set sail tomorrow evening for the last part of our trip. The Bolt brothers seem much more relaxed than I've seen them. You can tell that they are back in familiar territory.
May
May 3, 1865
How much further? So many of us are wondering. We try to act complacent but you can tell our nerves are on edge. Everyone keeps going topside, walking along the deck staring eastward. Are we seeing our new home? Or are we still days away?May 5, 1865
This morning, Joshua Bolt made a loud announcement at breakfast. He just wanted to let us know that he had not kissed each of us yet, and would like to do so before he returned home. I noticed a few of the ladies turn quite crimson-cheeked when he said this. I was not sure how to respond and sat there waiting to see what someone else might say.Kate got up, went over to him and said, "You've missed me!" Then she offered him her hand. Joshua looked rather startled — I doubt this is the kind of kiss he meant, considering what I've seen. But he took her hand and kissed it. It seemed a good way to handle him. I got up and offered Joshua my hand as well. Soon there was a line of ladies waiting for him to kiss their hands. I suspect that his lips may be quite chapped now.
May 10, 1865
Well, it's not New Bedford, that's for sure. But the people seem very kind. It's also not San Francisco. No peacock feathers, no crown jewels. Also no streets. Just muddy paths.Serena is wondering where we will live and she has a point. From the ship, we cannot see any buildings large enough to be the dormitory that we heard was being built for us. There is a saloon, a general store, a church, a lot of tents and some other buildings. Opal thinks that the dormitory and the rest of the town might be on the other side of the trees. I do hope she is right.
If not? We will manage somehow. We have made it thus far. I won't worry about it now, Dear Diary, for the the town of Seattle is getting ready to throw the biggest party that they have ever had to welcome the brides to town!
