This journal was kept by Lavinia Murray (1818-1896), the daughter of William W. Murray (1784-1865) and Mary Crawford (1800-1853) of Middletown, Monmouth county, New Jersey. Lavinia commenced her journal on 24 May 1834 when she was 15 years old. Her last entry, on the last page of the journal, was dated in 1842 when she 23. She married James M. Hoagland (1818-1857), a New York Merchant, on 26 August 1847 and resided in New Jersey or New York City the remainder of her life, leaving no children. She died in 1896.
Lavinia was the oldest of three children. Her siblings were Eleanor Crawford Murray (1821-1858) and George Crawford Murray (1827-1884). George graduated from Yale in 1845, studied law in New York City and was admitted to the bar in 1849 but gave up law to manage two family farms. [Source: The Scott Family of Shrewsbury, page 20]
I could find no images of Lavinia; the woodcut depiction of a young woman standing on the outskirts of Middleton, New Jersey, in the 1830s is purely conjectural.
Index to Journal Entries
1836-1837-1838-1839 Entries are published below
1840-1842 Entries
Friday, January 1, 1836. Very pleasant for the season. Papa and myself walked up Broadway. It was filled with gentlemen who were engaged in performing “that good old Dutch custom” (as they term it) of calling upon the Ladies. It is surely a very social custom. In the afternoon we visited Uncle Joseph who resides in Avenue A. Found the family in good health. Left there at 7 o’clock in the evening, and took passage in the sloop Accommodation to return home. There was no female passenger on board but myself, which was not very pleasant. I arrived at home on Saturday at ten o’clock exceedingly gratified that I had at last anchored at so pleasant an harbor. Spent the remainder of the day at home principally in talking.
Thursday 7th. In the morning Papa and Mama brought grand Mother and her nurse Mary Ann from Uncle Beekman’s where they have been staying eighteen weeks. She does not appear to be any better.
Saturday 9th. A dreadful snow storm. It has snowed unceasingly all day and appeared very gloomy.
Sabbath 10th. Still continues to snow. Spent the day at home.
Tuesday 12th. Snow continues; very cold. Papa, sister, brother, myself and E. took a sleigh ride to Red Bank. The sleighing is very good. Returned home almost frozen.
Sabbath 17th. Snowed increasingly all day. Spent the day in reading the Life of Newton. Mr. Austin spent the early part of the evening with us and acquainted us with the safe arrival of his fortune from England.
Tuesday 19th. Attended the consecration of the Episcopalian Church in the village. There was a great multitude assembled. The ceremony was quite imposing. The building is termed Christ’s Church or Chapel. The Bishop George Washington Doane preached from these words, “For my house shall be called a house of prayer for all people.” Josiah 56 Chapter, part of the 7th Verse. The new building is situated upon the spot that was occupied by the former one 90 years.
Sabbath 24th. Attended the Baptist Church in the morning. Heard a sermon delivered by the Rev. Mr. Roberts. It was full of simplicity. In the afternoon, snowed very fast.
Sabbath 31st. A dreadful snow storm which continued all day.
Monday, February 29th 1836. Snowed very fast until midday but not regarding the weather, I prepared to attend the wedding of Miss A. B. Conover to Mr. C. D. Beldon. At eleven o’clock Miss. A. Patterson called upon me. I accompanied her to Mr. Van Doren’s, took dinner there, and at two o’clock left for W. J. Longstreet’s accompanied by Miss A, Patterson. Miss M. Conover, Mr. H. Seabrook, and Mr. J. Longstreet, Jr. After an unpleasant sleighride through the rain (for it had ceased snowing) we arrived at Mr. Longstreet’s, tarried there a short time and again commenced our journey. It rained tremendously. We were in an open sleigh and had six miles to ride. We arrived there in safety. The wedding ceremony took place at 7 o’clock and was performed by the Rev. Mr. Roberts. There were two bridesmaids and two that were males by the groom’s side. The bride was very splendidly attired as also were her attendants though differently. There was a company of sixty persons assembled: cakes, coffee, tea, wine, and cordial were handed around to the company at eight o’clock, after which the company were entertained by several of the young ladies playing upon the piano, and some of the gentlemen singing. Took supper at twelve o’clock, standing, the table was set splendidly. Took our departure at four o’clock in the morning. Repaired again to Mr. Longstreet’s and I arrived at home in the afternoon.
Sunday, March 7, 1836. Attended church in the morning. Heard a discourse delivered by the Rev. Mr. [Thomas] Roberts from these words, “Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus.” Hebrews 3rd Chapter, 1st verse. After the sermon was ended, he declared his intention of leaving this church and congregation saying it was the hardest trial he had ever experienced and also gave his reasons for leaving. The people were much affected and many were in tears.
Tuesday, March 15, 1836. The snow is decreasing very fast and appears quite like the oasis of the desert. Sleigh riding is entirely given up with the commencement of this week after the uninterrupted enjoyment of it for nine weeks. Read in the Evening Post a very interesting description of Trinity Church in New York City situated fronting Broadway. The tower and first story ofthe steeple are of stone, the other part of wood, all painted of a dark blue color. The top of the spire is two hundred feet from the ground. The interior and exterior are in perfect keeping. In the interior are many monumental tablets, one containing a bust of Alexander Hamilton. The monument of Bishop Hobart is behind the altar. It represents the Bishop as dying. Religion in the form of a female stands by his side, pointing to a light which is shining from above.
Mr. Hart has been with us all day repairing our clocks.
Sunday, March 20, 1846. Attended church. The Re. Mr. Roberts preached. The text was “Fear thou not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.” Isaiah 41st Chapter, 10th verse…
Monday 21st. Mr. [Robert] Austin sent us a copy of an address delivered by him at the present school house where the gentlemen of the place were assembled to consult upon building an Academy. It contained first expressions of gratitude to his Maker for his present unexpected fortune from England, a minute history of himself and family, how he persevered after knowledge and entered Yale College with two dollars in his pocket. His fondness for this place (Middletown) which he came to in 1828, where he has remained ever since, with the exception of a few months. Finally what he will do towards having an Academy in this place.
Tuesday 22nd. Snowed very fast until afternoon when it ceased.
Friday, April 1, 1836. The weather continues cold and unpleasant, and it looks almost as dreary out as winter. Miss Catherine Debow called upon us this morning.
Sunday, 24th. A delightful day. I attended church in the morning and heard a sermon delivered by the Rev. Mr. Roberts from these words, “Therefore, whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him into a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.” Matthew 7th Chapter, 24-25th verse. He urged upon his hearers the necessity of having a firm foundation for their religion and in this life is the time to lay it, for we will never lead this life again. The holy appearance of this venerable man fills hte church with awe while they listen to the words that proceed from his lips.
Monday, May 2, 1836. The peach and cherry have begun to open their blossoms today and the breath of Spring has given new fragrance to the earth. The Rev. Mr. Roberts has dined with us today. He appears like one not subject to human passions, so much mildness and simplicity is he possessed of. He read to us an extract from Mrs. Wade’s Journal which was very interesting.
Wednesday 4th. Weather most delightful. All vegetation presents a very promising appearance, notwithstanding the cold spring weather until a wekk or two past. Mama and myself visited Mr. G. Van Doren’s. We there had the pleasure of meeting Miss Elizabeth Hendrickson. The time that has past since I went to school with one or two of the above mentioned appears but as yesterday and by observing its rapid flight warns me to improve the present.
Sunday 8th. Was again permitted to attend church. The Rev. Mr. Brown [?] from Wales delivered a sermon. The text was, “The meek will be guide in judgements and the meek will teach His way. ” Psalms 25th Verse 9th. The divisions were 1st, the importance of being in judgement, 2nd, the temper of mind necessary in order to be guided and those whom God will guide, under this head was illustrated the happy effects of being of a meek spirit and where it is wanting, we hear of contentions and disputes.
Monday 9th. I made an excursion to the forest or woods. It is most beautifully ornamented with the white flowers of the dogwood trees. I observed a number of wild turnips in flower. They were situated where the earth is moist and where it is partially protected from the sun. Mrs. Truex spend the afternoon with us.
Wednesday 11th. In the evening attended a party at Dr. Taylor’s. It was a bridal party given to Mr. & Mrs. Redenburg. When I arrived there, all the company were assembled. The room was handsomely lit up and graced with a ring of pleasant and intelligent countenances, among which shone conspicuously those of the bride and bridesmaids, Mrs. R, and Miss M. Schureman and Miss M. H. Forman. The company amused themselves by chatting a short time, when refreshments were handed around. After these succeeded dancing which added great animation to the company. I left at one o’clock. The stillness that reigned without a [sound] in the open air contrasted strangely with the animation that shone in the well filled rooms I had just left.
Sunday, May 15, 1836. I attended church. Heard a sermon delivered by the Rev. Mr. Roberts from the words, “As the apple tree among the trees of the wood so is my beloved among the sons. I sat under his shadow with great delight and his fruit was sweat to my taste.” This comparison is quite apparent today as the apple trees are loaded with bloom. By “the sons” are meant the patriarchs who have beauty when held by themselves, but it disappear when compared with Christ.
Tuesday 17th. Attended in the afternoon the ceremony of laying the corner stone of the Dutch Reformed Church which is located in village. The Rev. Mr. Beekman read a hymn, after the singing of which a discourse was delivered by the Rev. Mr. Messler in which he spoke very highly of the Dutch Reformed Church. The ceremony was ended after a prayer and the singing of a hymn.
Thursday 19th. Weather most delightful. In the evening Papa, sister, brother, and myself attended the nuptials of Mr. Jacob McClair and Miss Mary S, Burrowes. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. Mr. Roberts at 8 o’clock in the evening. There was a large company assembled. We arrived home at two o’clock. I retired hastily much fatigued without labor or any exertion excepting to avoid sleep.
Tuesday 24th.
Spared & Shared 23 