Wednesday 13th Went to Mrs Holmes early this morning to
make her bed & tie her hair and was there most
of the forenoon. Passed the afternoon at Major
Seba Howards with Mrs S Ames. Met a Mr & Miss
Howard from Philadelphia two Miss Tolmans from
New Bedford & Henrietta & Mrs Lewis Keith. Mr & Miss
Howard are very pleasant. Had an introduction
to Mr Brett
First thing after breakfast, Evelina went to see Harriet Holmes, a neighbor who was seriously ill. As she had done on other days, she made Harriet’s bed and tied up her hair. She spent the morning there, probably giving others in the household – specifically Harriet’s mother-in-law, Mrs. Holmes – some time off. Presumably Mrs. Holmes or her son, Bradford, had kept watch the night before.
Everyone’s vigilance was rewarded, as Harriet Holmes began to improve. Whatever it was that had made her sick began to abate. This would be the last visit that Evelina made to the house or, at least, the last one she made note of. Harriet would recover.
Evelina must have been relieved. She was certainly optimistic enough to set aside her care-giving and dedicate the afternoon to socializing. She and her sister-in-law, Sarah Lothrop Ames, called on Major Seba Howard and his wife, Eleutheria. There they were introduced to several guests, some of whom were “very pleasant.” The afternoon was a much needed change of pace after the worry of the past several days.
evelinaames 