Monday May 26 After washing the dishes this morning sit
down to work on the carpet for the sitting
room chamber and had but just got seated
when Augustus & wife & her brother & wife from
east Boston came. Hannah staid here while
the others went to the shop They left about
ten Oclock. Have put the carpet down and
room ready for the new bedstead. School commenced
Housework and laundry, presumably, went on as usual today except for a social interruption in the morning. Augustus Gilmore and his wife, Hannah, stopped in with Mr. and Mrs. Lincoln, Hannah’s brother and his wife. Evelina described them as coming from East Boston, although Hannah had grown up in Hingham. After some brief socializing with his aunt, Augustus took his in-laws across the street to show them the shovel factory.
Hannah Gilmore didn’t accompany her husband, probably because she was about seven months pregnant. She and Evelina sat together in the parlor or sitting room, perhaps using the opportunity to discuss female matters, perhaps not. Such conversations were not considered polite, but surely two mothers together in a room could share information without being intrusive or indelicate. Given that Hannah was already the mother of a two-year old boy, Eddie, Evelina may have shared some tips on raising sons. Certainly, Evelina was a woman to whom younger women turned for advice and companionship.
The day must have been a fine one; school recommenced, carriages were out and about and, most exciting of all, Old Oliver reported that he “began to plant our corn.” It was a time to sow.
evelinaames 