Frederick Cilley Steele
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: Apr 12, 1897 - Pittsfield, NH 20
Christening:
Death: Nov 8, 1975 - Mount Dora, Lake, Florida
Burial:
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Parents
Father: Andrew McClary Steele
Mother: Althea A. Rowell
Spouses and Children
1. *Marguerite M. Leighton
Marriage:
Children:
1. Levina Althea Steele
Grace A. Steele
Sex: F
Individual Information
Birth: Jan 2, 1886 - Lynn, MA
Christening:
Death: May 31, 1938
Burial: in Floral Park Cemetery, Pittsfield, NH
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Parents
Father: Charles R. Steele
Mother: Cora M. Libby
Spouses and Children
1. *Henry Grover Clark
Marriage: Sep 4, 1904 - Pittsfield, NH
Children:
1. Christie Clark
2. Blanche Clark
3. F. Evelyn Clark
4. Mildred Clark
5. Henry A. Clark
Grace E. Steele
Sex: F
Individual Information
Birth: Jan 6, 1899 - Pittsfield, NH
Christening:
Death: Feb 4, 1985 - Beverly, MA
Burial:
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Parents
Father: Andrew McClary Steele
Mother: Althea A. Rowell
Spouses and Children
1. *George B. Chase
Marriage:
Children:
1. George B. Chase
Helen Burden Steele
Sex: F
Individual Information
Birth: Jun 28, 1860 - Epsom, NH
Christening:
Death: Jun 20, 1940 - Concord, NH
Burial:
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Parents
Father: Michael McClary Steele
Mother: Catherine G. Burden
Spouses and Children
1. *Doctor Benjamin Parker Barstow
Marriage: May 26, 1885 - Epsom, NH
Children:
1. Katherine Steele Barstow
2. Benjamin P. Barstow
Notes
General:
A talented musician. Marriage record (Kingston, MA) gives birth place as Brooklyn, NY living Exeter, MA. at time of marriage.Marriage Notes (Doctor Benjamin Parker Barstow)
Death date from NH Deaths and Burials 1784-1949
Excerpt from Diary as appeared on auction site, 2011.
1881
"January 1st,
Today begins another year. It has been a very sad day to me. Papa has been drinking and was like an insane person. Mamma is sick and worn out. I feel about sick and burnt. It has been very trying. I did not feel badly to bid the old year a long farewell for it was a perplexing year to me, although there has been many pleasant things. There have been things I wish never had happened. The last of the year was the pleasantest to me. I pray God for help to make this New Year a pleasanter and more profitable one and that I may be able to help my parents who have done so much more me."
"January 26th,
The long looked for letter has come and would to God it had never reached me. I have waited, trusted, in Palmer's love and this is my reward? Would rather he had died then lived to make me suffer as he has and destroy my confidence in one when I thought could never change. God help and strengthen me to bear this burden. I have had many trials but never like this. My faith in men from this day can never be what it has been and Palmer, can it be, has destroyed it. Can I forgive him for I love him and always shall, though he has forsaken me."
"January 27th,
It has been a dismal day. My interest in all things has left me and I long to be at rest with those I love but it is his will not to, I must rise above this burden and trust in God knowing he does all for our good. Others have lived through the same thing and I must bear up for mama's sake but it is hard, yes very hard. Tonight the wind blows round the house and the vines rattling against the window reminds me of one night in Dec. when I was so happy and all the world seemed bright but that is in the past and I must "brace up" to fight life's battle alone and look back to those days as if they were a dream forgetting what the future promised and not fulfill."
"January 28th,
A terrible windy day has closed around us and the sun sent to his rest as peaceful as if we poor human beings had no trouble or cares. Then the sun shine seems mockery to me and this New Year from which I expected so much, has so soon been blighted and my life entirely changed in twenty days. Every thing in my life which makes me happy or that I love, is torn from me and I live to suffer but is the way with some lives and I seem to be one of the unfortunate ones. The last light affects has faded and I am alone."
"February 4th,
Oh dear! Everything has been in confusion today and I am thankful that the sun has set and it is night at last. I have had to make a great effort to keep up at all and I wish I were through. What have I to live for? My life is nothing to anyone but mama and it would not be many years for her. How true it is that our nearest and dearest friends are always taken from us when we feel perfectly happy with them and our life be spent with people who are uncongenial to us. I suppose it is for discipline to prepare us for the happiness to come if we prove ourselves worthy of such."
"February 7th,
Oh dear! What a dreadful day this has been. Papa has been drunk and tonight is crazy and ugly. Oh, that I had Palmer to turn to as in days gone by. It has always been such a comfort to me. It is so hard to bear and feel that he who loved me tenderly a short time ago cares nothing now. I swept and cleaned my room. After dinner went coasting with Phil as the twilight faded away the moon shine bright and clear showing me all the places where I have been and enjoyed so much. I wondered if he were not coasting too on this lovely night and what young lady would take my place that so short a time ago……"
"March 7th,
It is cold in my room and I cannot write much indeed there is nothing to write. Papa was drunk and kept us all awake last night. Uncle Henry was down this morning. Read some and practiced an hour and a half this evening. I must begin and practice or I shall loose what little I know. Mama wrote the words to an old Scotch song for me. Have not heard from the office but of course there will be no letter for me."
"March 10th,
Oh dear! What a dreadful day this has been. Papa has been so drunk that he could hardly walk and talked so terribly to mama that she has gone to Uncle Henry's to stay tonight. It is terribly desolate to have her away. I hope some time we may be together and live in peace. Papa is still drinking and Nathan is here. Had a letter from Helen B. and from Agnes Spencer. Aunt M. is dreadfully worried and I feel very nervous but I must "brace up" for mamas sake."
(There is mention of putting her father under "guardianship" because of his drinking)
"April 4th,
Has been a terribly windy day. I have not felt very well and papa has been drunk all day. I bored a hole in the cider barrel and I hope the old stuff will all run out. Walked up to Mr. Hall's to cash some cheques for Aunt M. Went to bed about half past nine. It was so cold I could not practice."
"May 16th,
This has been a dismal stormy cold day. I do wish it would clear away and we could see the sun. I have tried to keep busy and not mind it but I could hear the howling of the wind above all other noises. I was glad when Phil came home from school for she is a jolly little thing. Trimmed a hat for Mrs. Wells. Phil and I went up to the office with Mr. Wallace's horse and Mr. Jeffery Brown rode home with us. I am glad the day is ended but it brings me one day nearer to the dreaded time. Mama is better tonight."
"May 24th,
This morning I took Aunt M. to the depot to start for N.Y. She gave me fifty cents poor soul, she is so good to me. It really seems lonesome to have her gone. I was sick and went onto the bed as soon as I got home. Palmer and Annie were to come tonight. How I dread to have him home and yet how I long to see him. The wide world seems so desolate to me and every where I feel the luck of some presence which none other can fill. Papa has been half drunk and ugly all day. I have not seen him since morning."
"June 25th,
My head ached so badly I could not get up this morning and I asked mama to get breakfast. I got about half an hour to sleep before dinner. This afternoon we had settled down to have a nice long time to sew when Abbie saw smoke coming from the hog house. I went out and found the ash tub on fire. We pried up the floor and found the sleeper burned half off. Papa was away drunk and we had to do all ourselves. Annie Chesley went to the office with me and we met Palmer coming home. I am so tired tonight. I can hardly write and seeing Palmer has entirely upset me."
"July 2nd,
Slept quite late this morning for papa called me last night to see the comet and I did not sleep till late. Papa has been drunk and so ugly we could not stay in the house. Helen and I went down to Mrs. Hunter (?) and stayed to bed from there we went to the office and heard of the assassination of President Garfield. He was shot by a Frenchman but they think he will survive."
"August 22nd,
I slept very late this morning. I was so tired. About half past twelve there was a great racket at my door and papa hollered to me to open up the door. I was so frightened I unlocked the door and he walked in and wanted to know why I locked the door for and ordered me to leave them open which I did not do and told me I had better find some other place to sleep. I came down to Abbie's at one to get her to fix my dress. At half past four I went home. Abbie with me. We found papa asleep under the tree with the house all closed except the back door. We went in and found a note from mama saying she was on the hill and I could come when I wanted to. We went over to Mr. Wallace's and found the town warden. Papa came over and while I was there I heard the whole conversation which was evidently not meant for my ears. There was quite a scene there. I stayed there till dark."
"August 25th,
Last night about one o'clock I was awakened by the strangest noise. It sounded like a man trying to bark. Mama and I came down stairs and the light awakened papa. He was half drunk but they went down stairs and found everything all right. Papa was rather mild this morning. He got up about four o'clock and we did not see him except running down the field until noon when he came in for his lunch. He had mama's revolver and wanted the cartridge as he had fired it off in the field."
"September 1st,
This has been a strange day. Papa has been as cross as a bear. About ten o'clock he went off with Charley to have him shod where he went afterwards we didn't know but he came home to dinner at three, bathed, harnessed Charley and was off again. He went somewhere and got cider and came home as ugly as the old felon himself, about half past seven. Walter and Hattie had just got here and he came in and discussed secrecy with them, after that he and Mr. Brown ate their supper."
"September 3rd,
Mr. Brown left us this morning. Uncle Henry came down this afternoon and he had a long talk with papa. I know some things he told Uncle H. One was that he had not been up a night after nine o'clock for two months. How many more lies he told, I don't know. He is drinking tonight. Nathan must have brought him cider for he has none and Phil saw Nathan coming from the sink room with two bottles. It cannot be long now. I hope it will soon be over. I have got so I tremble when I see the man coming."
"September 9th,
told me last evening that the papers for a divorce had been served and papa was raving. I do dread the thing so. I hope he won't make a great fuss. Grandma is coming next week. I'm afraid she won't come when she knows. I wonder what papa is doing now and if he feels lonely or angry but suppose I shall never know. He thinks I am so "hostile" to him. He treats his best friends the worst."
"September 13th,
I got home I found papa had gone away. He has just got home and is half drunk. He came and knocked on my door and was very angry when he saw me. Oh how I long for rest. I tremble so I can hardly write."
"October 25th,
This morning I started in Boston to answer an advertisement from Jordan and Hearsh and reached there only to find about a hundred wanting situations. So I started about the city in pursuit of labor and finely went in to a store and offered my services as clerk and to my surprise got the situation of cashier. Mr. Bigelow was very kind and was going to see if it is a suitable place for me. ………"
(It's at this time she begins to board and work in Boston. I think she had to leave the home as her mother did. This is where most of the blank days fall because she says she's working so hard she hardly has time to write.)
"November 13th,
Another week is gone and I have neglected my old diary. I must brace up and write now. The days are very much about one continual struggle to keep soul and body together………"
(Goes on that day and talks about how she wishes her mother would write her more but understands, under the circumstances)
"December 29th,
I have not written for a long time in my diary but the year is nearly gone and I must write every day. This year has been full of strange events and I know when I am older I shall be glad to look back and know what happened. Tonight Nellie had a candy pull we had lots of fun. Johnny How, Mr. ____ and lots of people were here. I am awful tired tonight and have to be up early in the morning."
"December 31st,
Got through today very well. At half past ten Mr. R. told me I could come home and so the old year goes out and tomorrow begins another. I wonder if it will be as strange as this has been. I am so tired tonight I could dress down and stay until morning. John Rolfe has not called and I don't see why for he has always called before. I wonder what papa is doing all this time, poor man. I pity him but he is not dead to me, and I don't know why I should (pity him). Poor mama is tired out being up waiting for me. Last time I shall write in a diary. Good bye."
As with most diaries, she mentions many names, some of which are; Walter Burnham, Avery, Chesley, Frank Wallace, Cofran, Dewitt, Dr. French, Dr. Huntington, Wells, Heath, Cottrell, Brown, Ham, Jacob Griffin, Swain, Ambrose, Knowles, Bachelder, Prescott, Helen Olmsted, Bigalow, Sanderson, Billings and more.
The diary measures about 3" x 6" and the cover is very very worn with holes in the back but the pages and binding look good. I want to also add that a few of the pages are rather light as far as the writing.
Marriage registered Kingston, MA records.
Helen D. Steele
Sex: F
Individual Information
Birth: 1897
Christening:
Death: 1924
Burial:
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Parents
Father: Charles R. Steele
Mother: Cora M. Libby
Henry Steele
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 1829 - Epsom, NH
Christening:
Death: Nov 1829 - Epsom, NH 15
Burial:
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Parents
Father: Jonathan Steele
Mother: Elizabeth Harvey McClary
Notes
General:
Died age 3 weeks.
James McClary Steele
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: Jul 6, 1901 - Epsom, NH
Christening:
Death: May 28, 1992
Burial:
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Parents
Father: Charles McClary Steele
Mother: Helen Elizabeth Prescott Yeaton
Spouses and Children
1. *Hazel Alice Philbrick
Marriage: Oct 26, 1929 - Epsom, NH
Children:
1. Mary Elizabeth Steele
Janet Steele
Sex: F
Individual Information
Birth: Nov 27, 1795
Christening:
Death:
Burial:
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Parents
Father: Thomas Steele
Mother: Ann Moore
Spouses and Children
1. *John Ramsey
Marriage: Oct 1, 1829
Jeremiah Steele
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: Feb 29, 1788 - Peterboro, NH
Christening:
Death: Sep 30, 1856
Burial:
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Parents
Father: Thomas Steele
Mother: Ann Moore
Spouses and Children
1. *Irene Felt
Marriage:
John M. Steele
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: Abt 1867 - Montreal, Canada
Christening:
Death: Aug 1, 1904 - Worecester, MA
Burial: in Montreal, Canada
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Parents
Father: Thomas Little Steele
Mother: Zalie Maille
Notes
General:
Mass Vital Records - Married, Physician, age 37. Parents Thomas L. Steele, born Epsom and Zelie Mailly, born France. Cause of death, suicide, bullet wound of brain.