“I Hate to Write”: Woman, Mother, New Yorker and Patriot a Story of New York City and Wwi

By Edith A. McCormick

I Hate to Write is the compelling story of Edith Agnes McCormick an Irish immigrant, a devoted mother raising three sons in New York City in the early 1900s through WWI. Edith is an extraordinary woman of courage and fortitude. Through herRecord.a diary, which amazingly encompasses the period 1901 to 1919, Edith provides a compelling, extraordinarily personal glimpse into family life, but also the events occurring at the turn of the century through the cataclysmic changes of WWI.

Ediths writing style is an educated one, her sense of humor with respect to family life in Manhattan with all of its challenges jumps off the pages and captures the heart and mind of the reader in a unique and captivating fashion. She opens our eyes to a time when flight was a breathtaking novelty. It was a time prior to air conditioning, when horses were dying in the sweltering heat of New York summers, when people sought summer relief in the seashore cottages of Staten Island. Ediths day to day thoughts are illuminating, as she opines upon such events as Theodore Roosevelt and the Panama Canal, the Russo-Sino War, Pearys discovery of the North Pole and the need for equal rights in the workplace and the vote for women. Ediths patriotic zeal and support for her country and its allies is compelling. Equally compelling is Ediths concern for her sons as America is drawn into the war in Europe.

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• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: Dec 20, 2017
• ISBN: 9781546211402

Edith A. McCormick

Edith A. McCormick is an extraordinary woman, an Irish immigrant of courage and fortitude making her way in New York City during the late 1800s and into the new century. Through her Record which encompasses the period 1901 to 1918, Edith provides a compelling, very personal glimpse into family life, but also events occurring at the turn of the century through the cataclysmic change of WWI. As is the case with many young girls who capture their inner most thoughts in the form of a diary, Edith has done so as an adult, married woman, striving to raise three sons in New York City. Her writing style is an educated one, her sense of humor with respect to family life in Manhattan with all of its challenges jumps off the pages and captures the heart and mind of the reader in a unique and captivating fashion. She opens our eyes to a time when flight was a breathtaking novelty. It was a time prior to air conditioning, when horses were dying in the sweltering heat of New York summers, when people sought summer relief in the seashore cottages of Staten Island. Ediths day to day thoughts are illuminating, as she comments upon such events as Theodore Roosevelt and the Panama Canal, the Russo-Sino War, Pearys discovery of the North Pole, our entry and involvement in WWI and more. The patriotic zeal and the support for her country and its allies that she exudes in her Record entries is compelling. Equally compelling is Ediths concern for her sons as America is increasingly drawn into the war in Europe. Despite her Irish immigrant background, Ediths disdain for the pro German, Irish clergy of New York City and those at odds with Americas war effort is palpable and revealing in its intensity.

Book preview

I Hate to Write

Woman, Mother, New Yorker and Patriot

A Story of New York City and WWI

Edith A. McCormick

Compiled, edited and presented by

Lloyd Paul White, great-grandson.

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AuthorHouse™

1663 Liberty Drive

Bloomington, IN 47403

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© 2017 Edith A. McCormick. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 01/05/2018

ISBN: 978-1-5462-1141-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-1142-6 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-5462-1140-2 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2017915410

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Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Dedicated to the Memory of

Preface

Introduction

Principal Characters

The Mccormick Clan and Others

Edith Agnes Macdonald Mccormick

War Department, Washington, D.C.

Peter Mccormick

William J. Macdonald (Uncle Willie)

Ellen Lillie Fagan (Aunt Lillie)

Corporal John Kernan Mccormick

Paul Joseph Mccormick

Frank Donald Mccormick

Helen Mary Macdonald and George Peter Kuzmier

Epilogue

Acknowledgements

As a life-time participant in Memorial Day ceremonies at American Military Cemeteries in France, I’ve long heard the stories about Americans who fought and died in the service of their country and for the defense of France. The story of the McCormick family - brothers John, Paul, and Frank, and their mother, Edith - is remarkable for its intimacy amongst themselves, the insightfulness in which they bring to life, the intricate details of their lives and the gruesome aspects of the "War to end all wars’. This collection of letters and daily entries is a testimonial to the American spirit with which Edith not just perseveres and succeeds as a widow and single mother, but to the indomitable sense of duty, honor and courage shown by John and Paul as they nobly and faithfully served their country. And, despite heartbreak and loss, we also gain a sense of the inimitable grace by which Edith left a perpetual legacy in a tiny corner of France, proving Tocqueville’s point of America as a charitable and just nation. A must read for anyone who values the French/American relationship and for anyone else who loves the immigrant American family story.

James W. Gerard

President, American Overseas Memorial Day Association

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Edith Agnes MacDonald McCormick

I Hate to Write is a compelling chronicle of a courageous and adventurous woman, as told through her own diary and correspondence. Written during the early 1900’s through the First World War, it is the story of one woman’s family life in New York City and her three sons, two of whom would fight in France. Her letters and journal reveal a mother’s thoughts and experiences about the eventual war with all the daily stresses and emotions experienced when loved ones are fighting abroad. To a deployed service member in a war zone, the only thing that rivals a hot meal, is a letter from home. Her frequent letters are answered in kind, giving us a unique perspective of a soldier’s life in the field. However, unlike today’s instantaneous communications, mail took weeks, with five weeks deemed record time. We are completely absorbed in her concerns and agonizing emotions after major battles, awaiting word of her sons’ fate as she prays for their safe return.  A thoroughly gripping, true story that will hold you from start to finish.

Jack Flood CDR, USN (Ret.)

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Corporal John Kernan McCormick

Edith McCormick’s Journal and letters tell the unforgettable story of a remarkable lady living in New York City at the turn of the century. Her astute comments on international events and the joys and sorrows of day-to-day living provide a glimpse of upper middle-class life of a woman who becomes a single mother on the eve of World War I.  Sadly, family losses to illness and disease were as commonplace then as our mass shootings are today. The most compelling part of her narrative occurs when her two beloved sons readily join the Army to go Over There.  Edith’s journal entries and correspondence with her sons painfully reminds us of the agony all parents suffer whose children choose to defend their country in this way. Paul White skillfully weaves in actual newspaper reports from France to provide context to the dialogue between a mother and her sons serving in harm’s way in France. That dialogue ends tragically just before the Armistice, November 11, 1918.

All in all, a timeless tale well told.

Jeffrey L. Pettit, Esq.

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Lt. Paul Joseph McCormick

Dedicated to the Memory of

Edith A. McCormick and all the mothers who watch their children march off to war

I hate to write! Nevertheless, I have undertaken to jot down a few items once in a while just to help cure myself of forgetfulness to which I am getting very prone. I suppose I ought not to forget the weather therefore I duly chronicle that it has been a most beautiful day, rather warmer than we expect at this time of year. Sunday was Paul’s birthday – he was seven – and duly enjoyed his presents, among them a nice toy cannon - demolished before the day was over – and his birthday cake with seven candles in it which he had at supper, only as Lucy observed, the friends at his party were all so young. There was Aunt’s Lillie and Tessie and Marie Bechet, Lucy’s friend and May Hannelly besides the family and I guess they were all old women but May. Today Mattie and little Marian came over and spent the day and Lillie came bright and early from her new boarding house where she spent the night in a rocking chair - the bed being tenanted by undesirable guests. It must have been my visiting day for Mrs. James McCormick called in the afternoon looking very fine in her lace cap and black bombazine dress and then came Mr. Meade, John’s teacher called. Tessie dropped in to supper and Lillie came afterwards and Charlie Hannelly and little Edgar. This Frank’s first year at the kindergarten and Paul’s first year in John’s school and I am kept busy trotting back and forth with them all.

The city is full of mourning emblems for our noble President McKinley who was foully assassinated by an anarchist named Czolosz while shaking hands with the crowd at the Pan- American Expo at Buffalo. He lingered a week and just as the whole nation was beginning to be confident of his recovery, he died.

January 28, 1902

It seems an age since I wrote a line, but some unforeseen things have happened to prevent my handling a pen. Two weeks ago, my nice cook Sarah was taken suddenly ill with gastritis and inflammatory rheumatism and had to go away and I have been in the Slough of Despond ever since. I got a girl last week, a dreadful creature who couldn’t cook a potato and dirtied every pot, pan and kettle in the kitchen, so I chased her before the week was up. I am so tired at night, I can’t think of writing. Pot walloping is not conducive to sustained literary effort. I’ll bet the genius who burned the midnight oil didn’t burn it in the kitchen.

PREFACE

"I hate to write! Nevertheless, I have undertaken to jot down a few items, once in a while just to help cure myself of forgetfulness to which I am getting very prone"

Edith A. McCormick

Edith A. McCormick is an extraordinary woman, an Irish immigrant of courage and fortitude making her way in New York City during the late 1800s and into the new century. Through her Record which encompasses the period 1901 to 1918, Edith provides a compelling, very personal glimpse into family life, but also events occurring at the turn of the century through the cataclysmic change of WWI. As is the case with many young girls who capture their inner most thoughts in the form of a diary, Edith has done so as an adult, married woman, striving to raise three sons in New York City. Her writing style is an educated one, her sense of humor with respect to family life in Manhattan with all of its challenges jumps off the pages and captures the heart and mind of the reader in a unique and captivating fashion. She opens our eyes to a time when flight was a breathtaking novelty. It was a time prior to air conditioning, when horses were dying in the sweltering heat of New York summers, when people sought summer relief in the seashore cottages of Staten Island. Edith’s day to day thoughts are illuminating, as she comments upon such events as Theodore Roosevelt and the Panama Canal, the Russo-Sino War, Peary’s discovery of the North Pole, our entry and involvement in WWI and more. The patriotic zeal and the support for her country and its allies that she exudes in her Record entries is compelling. Equally compelling is Edith’s concern for her sons as America is increasingly drawn into the war in Europe. Despite her Irish immigrant background, Edith’s disdain for the pro German, Irish clergy of New York City and those at odds with America’s war effort is palpable and revealing in its intensity.

Edith’s emphasis on the best possible education for her three boys; John, Paul and Frank is something that any mother may relate to, irrespective of generation or locale. In education alone, she bridges the years with her entries that touch upon Columbia Grammar School, Horace Mann and the New York City public school system. With regard to women, Edith is a pioneer in the Women’s Suffrage movement, marching in solidarity with thousands of women seeking the same legal rights as men. In a peripheral but essentially important family sense, Edith introduces such notables as her brother William, a successful New York City builder and philanthropist and her sister Lillie, a hotel entrepreneur beloved by the city of Columbia, S.C.

Edith’s daily entries and the attending correspondence offer up a revealing window to an extraordinary woman’s thoughts, hopes, fears and aspirations during the early 1900s. The historical context is revealing in that with the notable exception of WWI, there is minimal reference to what we now know to be obvious historical events and what is mentioned, is offered up within the context of everyday family life in Manhattan. With that, she still managed to capture the attention of the United State’s Secretary of War during the 1930’s. Edith’s daily Record and personal correspondence begins in 1901 and extends to 1931. Her emotional reach extends well beyond this time period through her generosity to the school children of France. That same ability to positively affect others is all the more remarkable as she continues today to capture the attention of the Mayor and community of Bony, France and even Washington’s American Battle Monuments Commission.

The correspondence between Edith and her sons John and Paul who enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1917 and were to fight on the battlefields of France adds a key period insight into the McCormick family’s lives and their attempt to cope with life dominated by the war in Europe.

After WWI, Edith made two pilgrimages to France. Additional pilgrimages have been made by extended McCormick clan members with more to follow, reinforcing the influence that Edith exerts to this day. We are all fortunate to be drawn into her day to day life, her triumphs and sorrows through the pages of this extraordinary Record. Significantly, Edith opens up our hearts and minds; and in many ways poignantly bridges time or technology gaps between New York City life of the early 1900s and life today.

LPW

INTRODUCTION

Edith Agnes MacDonald McCormick was born January 31, 1865, emigrated to the United States in her late teens from Nobber, Ireland and worked as a governess to the Kernan family in Utica, New York. Edith married Peter McCormick June 30, 1888, a much older man and widower with 11 children, in what may be described as an arranged marriage or perhaps one borne of necessity given the large number of children needing a mother or perhaps simply a governess. Mary Foran, Peter’s first wife had died in 1887 and vows were exchanged between Edith and Peter at the Church of St. Peter on Barclay Street, New York City. Peter McCormick, son of Bryan and Mary Kenna McCormick was born in June 1833 near Monasterevin, County Kildare, Ireland and emigrated to New York City around 1850. Peter became a United States citizen on February 14, 1859. According to family legend, Peter had left Ireland after he had seen his father, Bryan, almost killed by a band of drunken English soldiers. The soldiers hanged Bryan, but did not finish the job quite well enough, as he managed to live and get away, but his neck bore the scars for the rest of his life. Paul McCormick, one of Peter and Edith’s three sons recalls that Bryan’s speech was also impaired, as the result of the rope around his neck. Two of Peter’s brothers, Michael and Martin (a half-brother) and a sister Alice, also came to the United States in the 1850 period.

Peter McCormick initially worked as a common laborer in New York City but later embarked on a career of contract house and building painting in the New York City area. As family remembrance and records indicate, Peter was a frugal young man, who had a particular talent for estimating the cost of a painting assignment. Peter’s painting business continued to flourish. Sometime before 1873, Peter and Mary Foran McCormick’s oldest daughter Mary Ann became the second wife of Michael Reid, a prominent builder in New York City. This would prove to be an important family coupling as William MacDonald, brother of Edith MacDonald who was to be Peter’s second wife, would become a key member of the Reid building company. Michael Reid introduced Peter to Michael Goelet, who had extensive real estate holdings in Manhattan. Consequently, Peter was awarded a $5,000 a year contract for the painting and maintenance of the Goelet home and his real estate empire. In addition to the Goelet contract, Peter’s firm also did other contract painting on such New York locations as High Bridge, a masonry and steel arch bridge over the Harlem River. It was this contract that made Peter McCormick his fortune. High Bridge or Aqueduct Bridge after undergoing a period of neglect is still much the same now, as it was during the middle to late 1800s.

Edith and Peter were married at the Church of St. Peter, now known as Old St. Peter’s, 10 Barclay Street, New York City on June 30, 1888. Edith and Peter had three sons between them: John, Paul and Frank and the three boys grew up in Manhattan at several locations.

Edith had a brother William J. MacDonald, a successful New York City builder, a man of great generosity with family and friends in America, but also in Nobber, Ireland, where he had grown up with his sister. She also had an older sister Ellen Lillie MacDonald Fagan. Lillie as she was known had left Ireland with her sister Edith and started her way in America in New York and later in Columbia, South Carolina. Her accomplishments as a female, hotel owner and entrepreneur in the Deep South are a story unto itself.

Edith’s family and friends are extensive, complicated and often confusing without a roadmap. Her Record in many ways simply mentions a name, but does not necessarily offer the clarifying context of aunt, brother, cousin, friend, etc. Set forth is a listing of the major personages with a brief description to make that connection an easier one.

PRINCIPAL CHARACTERS

THE MCCORMICK CLAN AND OTHERS

Addie and Anastasia Brady – extended McCormick family members

John Brady – son of Anastasia and cousin and friend of John, Paul and Frank McCormick

Mrs. Devereaux - Edith’s unofficial American Mother who has known Edith since early childhood. Mrs. Devereaux lives at 24 Dudley Street, Utica, NY.

Mrs. Ellen Lillie Fagan nee MacDonald - Aunt Lillie is the sister of Mrs. Edith McCormick, Jane O’Brien and sister of William J. MacDonald. Lillie is the proprietress of the Hotel Jerome and a hotel entrepreneur in her own right. Other siblings include: Maria, Charles, Sarah, Joseph, Jane, Theresa, Thomas, Francis and Robert.

Francis J. Kennedy – Attorney and family member assigned as executor and co-trustee of the Peter McCormick will and estate. Married 1895 to Martha Mattie McCormick, one of Peter McCormick’s sisters

Mrs. Mary Kernan – Franny (Mary M. Spratt, maiden name). Born in Ogdensburg, NY, married to Mr. Francis K. Kernan, a Utica, NY lawyer, formerly of Buffalo.

Devereaux Kernan – Brother of Francis K. Kernan

Lt. George Peter Kuzmier – love interest of Helen MacDonald

William J. MacDonald - Willie, brother of Edith MacDonald McCormick, one of NYC’s leading builders of bridges, large buildings and University structures. His works included the Ritz Carleton Hotel, St. Vincent’s Hospital and several buildings on the Columbia University campus. Other siblings include: Maria, Charles, Sarah, Joseph, Lillie, Jane, Theresa, Thomas, Francis and Robert.

Adelaide Brady MacDonald – Wife of William J. MacDonald and mother to daughters Helen, Josephine and Agnes

Frances McCormack MacDonald – Aunt Fannie, sister of Edith McCormick, William MacDonald and Lillie Fagan.

Alice Matilda Hannelly – wife of Charles J. Hannelly and daughter of Peter and Mary Foran McCormick. Alice and Charlie had 5 children; May, Irene, Edgar, Edith and Charles

Helen Mary MacDonald Kuzmier– H-Mac - daughter of Willie MacDonald and Adelaide Brady MacDonald and first cousin to the John, Paul and Frank

Miss Agnes MacDonald – A-Mac - daughter of Willie MacDonald and Adelaide Brady MacDonald and first cousin to John, Paul and Frank

Mrs. Jane O’Brien nee MacDonald – Aunt Jennie Married Thomas O’Brien. Sister to Edith McCormick and William MacDonald

Mary Josephine MacDonald Leprese – J-Mac – daughter of Willie MacDonald and Adelaide Brady MacDonald and first cousin to John, Paul and Frank.

Robert A. MacDonald – Uncle Robert - Brother to William MacDonald, Godfather to Helen Mary MacDonald.

Mary McCormack MacDonald – Aunt Mamie - wife of Robert A. and godmother to Helen Mary MacDonald.

Edith Agnes MacDonald McCormick – The author of this diary and wife to Peter McCormick in an arranged Irish marriage. She immigrated to the United States from Ireland in the 1880’s, worked as a governess to the Kiernan family in Utica, New York. She graduated with honors from Utica Free Academy June 26, 1884. Edith’s siblings are: Maria, Charles, Sarah, Joseph, Ellen (Lillie), Jane, Theresa, Thomas, William (Willie) Francis and Robert. Her parents are Thomas John MacDonald and Ellen Reid. Edith married Peter McCormick in St. Peter’s Church, Barclay St., New York City, June 30, 1888. Peter an Irish immigrant is a widower with 11 children. Edith and Peter upon being married had three sons: John, Paul and Frank.

Peter McCormick – husband of Edith, father to 11 children (Mary Ann, Benjamin W., James, Edward L., Martha Kennedy, Matilda, Kitty, Mattie, Lucy, Agnes, William, Peter (Petie) by his first marriage to Mary Foran who had died in 1887. Peter has the following grandchildren: Ellen McGoey, Anna M. Reid, Leo Reid, Marry Hannelley, Alice Hannelley, Peter Edgar Hannelley, Edith M. Hannelley and Charles J. Hannelley. Peter is a successful owner of a New York City contract painting firm, builder and investor/manager of several Manhattan commercial and residential properties.

John Kernan McCormick – oldest son of Edith MacDonald McCormick and Peter McCormick

Paul Joseph McCormick – middle son of Edith MacDonald McCormick and Peter McCormick. His mother Edith refers to him sometimes by the nickname Landa

Frank Donald McCormick – youngest son of Edith MacDonald and Peter McCormick

Lucy McCormick – Daughter of Peter McCormick’s first marriage to the late Mary Foran McCormick.

Alice McCormick - Aunt Alice is Peter McCormick’s only living sister.

Peter McCormick – Petie – One of Peter McCormick’s 11 children from his first marriage to Mary Foran. Petie was a playmate of the McCormick boys and MacDonald girls.

Ambrose O’Brien - Youngest child of Thomas O’Brien and Jane (Jennie) MacDonald O’Brien. Cousin to the McCormick boys and MacDonald girls

Robert MacDonald – Family member found at the NYC morgue

Bennie and Kitty McCormick - Family members

Ella Reid - the Reid family are cousins to the MacDonald family.

Anna Reid – member of the Reid family.

Theresa Smith nee MacDonald– Aunt Tessie - sister of Edith MacDonald McCormick and her brother William J. MacDonald. A Bellevue trained nurse, responsible for care of patients in and around NYC

Kathryn Parker Trowbridge – Paul McCormick’s love interest from Branford, Ct.

Wazzer – Paul McCormick’s cat

September 24, 1901

I hate to write! Nevertheless, I have undertaken to jot down a few items once in a while just to help cure myself of forgetfulness to which I am getting very prone. I suppose I ought not to forget the weather therefore I duly chronicle that it has been a most beautiful day, rather warmer than we expect at this time of year. Sunday was Paul’s birthday – he was seven – and duly enjoyed his presents, among them a nice toy cannon - demolished before the day was over – and his birthday cake with seven candles in it which he had at supper, only as Lucy observed, the friends at his party were all so young. There was Aunt’s Lillie and Tessie and Marie Bechet, Lucy’s friend and May Hannelly besides the family and I guess they were all old women but May. Today Mattie and little Marian came over and spent the day and Lillie came bright and early from her new boarding house where she spent the night in a rocking chair - the bed being tenanted by undesirable guests. It must have been my visiting day for Mrs. James McCormick called in the afternoon looking very fine in her lace cap and black bombazine dress and then came Mr. Meade, John’s teacher called. Tessie dropped in to supper and Lillie came afterwards and Charlie Hannelly and little Edgar. This Frank’s first year at the kindergarten and Paul’s first year in John’s school and I am kept busy trotting back and forth with them all.

The city is full of mourning emblems for our noble President McKinley who was foully assassinated by an anarchist named Czolgosz while shaking hands with the crowd at the Pan- American Expo at Buffalo. He lingered a week and just as the whole nation was beginning to be confident of his recovery, he died.

September 25, 1901

Another beautiful day – cold and clear. I had a very quiet day. Lillie and Tessie and Willie dropped in after supper to cheer Papa up. Willie brought Paul my son a box of lead soldiers, a belated birthday present. Paul loves these soldiers and the battle scenes he creates, though they are always under foot. Tessie looks very pale and not at all well.

September 26, 1901

Fair and beautiful. John had a heavy cold. I took Frank to the doctor’s. His lame leg seems to improve but slowly. He has just learned to hop a few times on one foot – which accomplishment he proudly displayed to Dr. Judson. Aunt Tessie came in to lunch and spent the day. The children and I called on Fannie and poor old Grandma nearly went wild with their actions in the backyard, ably seconded by Helen MacDonald. The old lady gave Frank a slap. I find I must take up the carpets and do some housecleaning and I dread the task. Poor McKinley! The other day Czolgosz went on trial in Buffalo charged with the murder of our President. He pleaded guilty, but can you believe the court changed his plea to "not guilty". I hope to God that this trial is a short one and one where the good citizens of Buffalo find him guilty. They say anarchy is a social disease rather than a kind of mental illness. I say he was crazy socialist. Today in fact he was convicted and will be executed in quick order. Our dear President McKinley lingered a week and just as the whole nation was beginning to be confident of his recovery, he died on September 14, with our VP Roosevelt, the former Rough Rider succeeding him as President of our great nation.

September 27, 1901

Those unwelcome wretches….the carpet cleaning men arrived and took up nearly all the carpets and I must get matting for my room. The carpet is so shabby. John brought home a little school fellow to play and they climbed all the fences and trees in all the back yards. I hope John will tame down and get some sense sometime. His wild ways annoy me very much. Lillie and Tessie dropped in this evening. This is ideal weather, but of course it cannot last.

September 28, 1901

This was another beautiful day, although it is now pouring rain (11PM). The first race for the Yacht Cup took place and the American boat, Columbia won over Sir Thomas Lipton’s boat Shamrock. John is still sick with a cold. He stayed in the house nearly all day. I bought a new matting at Van Lines for my room. Taxes are so high we cannot afford a new carpet.

Lillie and Tessie came in after supper and Willie came around after Pete and took him off to see Andrew Mack in Tom Moore at the Herald Square Theater. Fannie and I are supposed to enjoy it as much as if we were asked. I went and shopped in Wanamaker’s department store this afternoon.

September 29, 1901

This has been a sweltering day, more like an August dog day than the end of September, and it was stifling in mass at St. Agnes Church at 141 East 43rd Street between Lexington and 3rd Avenue, a long tiresome, incoherent sermon by one of the assistant priests did not tend to cool the atmosphere. St. Agnes has been a mainstay of the neighborhood since 1873 when the foundation was first laid and brick walls were first raised. It seems however like the hot air within St. Agnes is not limited to the priest, rather I think there is still some heat associated with the terrible church fire of December 4, 1898.

John is still under the weather. He could not go to church and this evening I had Dr. Hadden come and see him. He said it was just an upset stomach with a cold added. Tessie came to dinner but went away soon after. It looks like rain.

September 30, 1901

It is hardly possible we can have many more such beautiful fall days. It was just like summer. John was quite sick again this morning – his stomach seems to be completely out of order. I called at Doctor’s and got some medicine which seems to have done him good. He stayed in bed nearly all day. Fannie and Helen came in this p.m. and he brightened right up. I heard the other day with regard to Czolgosz, the murderer of our dear McKinley that we as Christians should not condone the death penalty. I say let the courts deal with this murdering fiend and if that ends in execution, as it should, so be it!

Paul brought home a copy book and proudly showed his first writing with ink to his Papa. Willie, Lillie and Tessie called in this evening. I just received a letter from my dear old pupil Kathleen Kernan announcing her engagement to a Baltimore gentleman. The dear girl, I hope every happiness attends her.

October 1, 1901

A new month and it opens with delightful weather. I must hang a thermometer where I can keep track of the temperature. I now have a woman in the house cleaning and have spent a very busy and tiresome day. I hate cleaning closets and the problem of where the dust comes is as old as Adam and just as hard of solution, as it was in his day.

Lillie came in to sew on the machine, took a look at things and fled. Lucy has gone to Staten Island today overnight. Jim Brady called tonight and Lillie came back also. John is better and went to school today. He is studying fractions and they will drive me mad as well as John.

October 2, 1901

Cloudy and warm with a heavy rain tonight at 9 o’clock. I am busy at house cleaning. Lucy McCormick is still at Staten Island. I wrote to Kathleen and Lillie Fagan came in twice today.

October 3, 1901

It is a pity to spend such a beautiful day as this in housecleaning but unfortunately it can’t be helped. Those wretched carpet layers never showed up to lay the top floor carpets. I went to see Tessie today. She is sick these past two days with a dreadful headache. The doctor called to see her this evening. Lucy came home from Staten Island this afternoon. Thank God Governor Odell is not paying any attention to requests for commutation to life imprisonment for that murdering, anarchist scoundrel Czolgosz.

October 4, 1901

Clear and cold. The house is still without carpets and is cheerless and forlorn. I went to see Tessie this am. She is a little better but looks very pale and is not able to be up. I unpacked winter overcoats today. It begins to look like overcoats. I received a letter from Kathleen Kernan in Utica this morning. She will come some day next week to answer my numerous queries respecting her beloved.

October 5, 1901

Today is a fine bracing day. I got the parlor carpets laid and went to see Tessie. She is quite sick. Lillie is nursing her. Went to Wanamaker’s this afternoon and walked home. Martin called this evening. Willie and Pete are gone to Proctor’s to see the variety show.

John wrote a letter to his country companion Bertie Sparrow. It was a most laborious task. Frank is sick. He had a chill tonight after his bath. I hope it does not amount to anything.

October 6, 1901

Clear and frosty. I went to St. Agnes’ church and heard this time a fine sermon by the parish priest. I love the look of this medieval looking, gothic style brick church but not always the sermons, but today yes. I went to see Tessie after Mass. She is better but not yet up. Lucy and Paul went to Staten Island this afternoon and I took the other two over to see Mrs. Kernan. We had a very pleasant visit and saw Robert who is a great athlete and was about to return to Harvard. Lillie came in to supper and Willie came in later and stayed for the evening.

October 7, 1901

Weather still remains beautiful. I went to see Tessie this AM. She does not seem to improve but the doctor does not seem to anticipate anything serious, although a couple of days ago it looked like typhoid. Lillie came up after soup and jelly for her and raced away again. Mattie and the baby came over and spent the day. Frank was sick again this morning. His stomach seems to be out of order. The men laid the hall carpets today. The others must be mended. Pete is busy every day overseeing the cleaning of Mrs. Goelet’s house and it seems to do him good.

Writing the date reminds that it was just 17 years ago today that I went to Mr. Kernan’s house to teach his children. I remember it well. It was cold and frosty and dark when I arrived and Mrs. Kernan with Frank and Kathleen came out to the bus and brought me in to the big light hall and then cheery little sitting room, where the bright wood fire was blazing in the andirons and Devereux and Rose in their little night gowns called in a stage whisper over the banisters, Did she come? All are great big young men and women now and yet it seems such a little while ago!

October 8, 1901

Tessie has a mild attack of typhoid. Lillie is minding her with assistance of a nurse. The carpet men came today and mended some of our raggedy carpets. I went again to Wanamaker’s to buy something to piece out John’s forlorn carpet with, also two rugs to cover holes in the back parlor. I had a visit from Ella Reid today. She looks fine and seems very happy. Thank goodness, the anarchist in Italy was arrested who had threatened the lives of our Pope and Cardinal Rampolla. Frank is better today, but still does not seem just right. I wish this awful housecleaning time was over. It is worse than staying in the city all summer.

October 9, 1901

Fair and warm. Managed to get at the sitting room carpet a little today and Lucy arranged the parlors. Tessie was not so well this am. She is very weak. Lillie and Willie called in this evening.

October 10, 1901

It is warm and muggy today. I spent the day running around on errands. Tessie is quite sick. She had a very bad night and must have two nurses. Her head troubles her greatly. I cleaned out bureau drawers this afternoon.

October 11, 1901

Once again, it is very warm and muggy. I had matting laid on my room today and went to see Tessie three times. She is doing as well as can be expected.

October 13, 1901

Very wet day and warm. I took the flag in, which has been a month at half mast for President McKinley. God bless him and President Roosevelt.

I went to 10 o’clock Mass. Pete has a cold and was unable to come. Lucy gave Paul her writing desk and he and Frank spent the afternoon drawing and writing. Lillie came to dinner. Tessie is doing very well. This is the first day I have not been down to see her.

October 15, 1901

It is a beautiful day after a pouring rain yesterday. Tessie continues to improve. The night nurse is off duty. Dr. Brann called last evening. He missed us from the pew on Sunday. Pete was sick and could not go to church but he is much better.

I took John and Paul to Bronx Park after school, also another boy friend and on the way we met Helen and took her along also. How they all enjoyed themselves, the boys turning somersaults in the grass and Helen rolling down the hill after them. Lillie paid us her customary visit today.

October 19, 1901

Cloudy with gusts of wind. Spent the entire day tramping around. Took the children to school, then home to help Pete dress, then took soup and jelly down to Tessie, then I food marketed and then went up to the two schools with overshoes. After dinner, it cleared and I took Frank to Dr. Judson’s. He reports him as doing well. Got John’s carpet laid today. Hope soon to see the dining room in trim, if we ever get the ceiling kalsomined. So few men know how to properly and smoothly apply the glue like liquid, so it will not crack and be suitable for painting and when you do find such a rare tradesperson, the expense will likely send you to confession for your sin of expression.

I went to Bronx Park yesterday with the three boys. They conducted me to a spot dear to their souls, the rocks and slid down the high rocks to the great detriment of stockings and trouser seats.

October 20, 1901

Beautiful Sunday. I had a pleasant treat in church. High Mass was celebrated by Father William Martin, his first Mass. The first Fair which Dr. Brann had and at which I assisted had William as assistant in getting chances on the $50.00 in gold, which I won. He was a handsome manly refined boy and turned out to be a noble looking dignified young man who I hope will be worthy of the high vocation he has chosen. Dr. Brann whose protégé he is, was manifestly happy in listening to the sweet notes of his grand voice as he intoned the Preface and Pater Noster.

I went to see Tessie this afternoon. She is recovering and will have to take a couple of weeks recuperating at the Laurel or the Pines Hotel or one of the other nice resorts in Lakewood, in southern NJ as the doctor says its healthful climate brought on by the northern gulf waters and the general absence of such diseases as malaria and typhoid promote recovery. Lillie spent the day with us and she has just gone.

October 24, 1901

This has been a quiet but busy week. Taking the children across the tracks four times a day seems to leave me but little time in between to accomplish anything. I have started John in a gymnasium, the Turn Verein on 85th Street and Lexington Avenue, which certainly