July 10th Baked in the brick oven this morning
Cassander Gilmore engaged to come here to
day but did not Mrs Horatio Ames Mrs Witherell
Mitchell and their children father Gustavus &c &c
were here to tea. Had strawberries from
Mr King, his last picking. This afternoon
finished my dress Alson called
Evelina was quite busy today. She baked, probably making the usual bread, ginger snaps and a pantry’s worth of pies. Although she doesn’t specify what kind, this was the time of year for rhubarb and her pies may have been made of the very fruit she grew in her back yard. She culled through the last of the available local strawberries, too; there would be no more this season.
Much of this kitchen work was preparation for afternoon tea, which was served to a raft of Ames relatives. Sally Hewes Ames, Horatio’s wife, was there with her son, Gustavus, along with the Witherells and Father Ames from the other part of the house. Sister-in-law Harriett Ames Mitchell and her three children were there. Where was Harriett’s husband, Asa Mitchell? Presumably Oakes, Susie and her three older brothers were at table, too.
When she did get out of the cook room, Evelina finally finished sewing her new dress, and had a visit from her brother, Alson Gilmore.
Nice china.
It’s the strawberry pattern!
Very pretty china
The “Strawberry” china is pearlware, made in England for the American market in the 1820s and 1830s, I’m told.