Weds 20th Aug Rachel, Lavinia and Augusta Pool spent
the day here Mr Ames and Augustus went to Boston
Pauline Dean came to night in the stage
appears the same as she did when she left
Went to the store & was weighed 148 lbs
called at the factory to see Edwin work and he came to
tea Mr Whitwell called while we were gone
Not shy, Evelina stepped on the scale at the company store. Fully clothed in the voluminous fashion of the day, she weighed 148 pounds. Given that her dress was full-skirted and worn over a chemise, undersleeves and petticoats, and that she wore a bonnet and most likely kept her hose and shoes on, her actual weight was probably several pounds less than she reported. She likely weighed closer to 140.
Evelina missed a visit from Reverend Whitwell today, as she was out and about with young female company. Two nieces, Lavinia Gilmore and Rachel Gilmore Pool, came over with Rachel’s sister-in-law, Augusta Pool. They were ages 19, 21, and 22, respectively. They visited the store, shopped, perhaps, and watched their aunt get weighed. Perhaps they got weighed themselves. It might have been a lively time as they chatted and moved back and forth.
From the store the group traipsed to the shovel factory to watch Evelina’s nephew and Lavinia and Rachel’s brother, Edwin Williams Gilmore, work – an unusual visit to say the least, and one that could only have been accomplished in the company of the boss’s wife. What did the workmen think?
Edwin, nearly 23, would not work at the shovel shop for long. By 1854 he would be manufacturing hinges along with business partners Oakes and Oliver Ames Jr., whom he would eventually buy out. All that was in his future; today he would join his sisters and their friend Augusta for tea at his aunt’s.
evelinaames 
I wonder how tall Evelina was, do you know? And what age is she in 1851, remind me.
Evelina was 42 when she stepped on those scales. I don’t know her exact height; in the only full length image of her, she is seated next to Oakes, who is standing. In the picture, she appears taller from the waist up than her 19-year old daughter, and holds her own compared to Oakes. My guess – and it’s only a guess – is that she was above average height.