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From the Gere Family Diaries in the Nebraska State Historical Society archives in Lincoln, Nebraska

The first part of one diary is reportedly poems that were written by Julia M. Gere to her friend Julia Cooley and her sister Hannah. Then the diary entries read:  

Wednesday, March 11 [1857]. Last day of term which I have spent hopefully cultivating my mind here in the Academy at Oxford. 

Saturday, March 14 [1857]. In one week probably we shall be on [our way] to Nebraska, how strange the thought and yet I suppose it is true. I do not care much either way. I think I never before felt such a strange apathy and indifference upon any subject. It seems as if nothing now could surprise me whatever should happen.  How vain and fleeting are the joys of earth and yet I of all others should not murmer. God help me.

Tuesday, March 17 [1857]. Hoorah for the West!! I have heard its merits discussed for the last few hours, and it has been proved to be an earthly paradise. There have been nineteen persons in the room at a time this evening, and a crowd have just left. Br. Giddings is now here and will stay all night. He is truly a fine, noble looking man with his high pale brow and stately form. He baptized me.

Wednesday, March 19 [1857]. Br. Giddings left this morning. We shall not see him again till he comes to Nebraska.

Thursday, March 19 [1857]. It is late in the last day I shall spend in this house I suppose. I have spent very many happy days here, probably I have been as happy as I shall ever be in times to come. But now I soon must exchange the pleasant woods where I have so often roamed in search of flowers for the far spreading prairies of the west. This little room for one in a log hut in the wilderness. I hope I shall be happy.

Sometime after arriving in Table Rock, someone in the Gere family described taking a walk to see the Table Rock, from which the town got its name. It reads:

Today, April 25th [1857]. We have been to see Table Rock. As long as I have been in this place which took its name from it, I have not see the curiosity before. It is nearly a mile and a half from this house, a long walk to browse, and I was very tired but will be repaid by the beautiful scenery of the place and the fantastic shape of the rocks which lie scattered over the bluffs which rise from a small but beautiful wooded plain on the Nemaha, which we crossed on a precarious footing of fallen trees, but by clinging to the limbs we made a safe passage.

The rocks are of sandstone of different degrees of hardness, some parts of them so soft that one can pulverize them with the fingers. The Rock they call Table Rock has no resemblance to a table whatever, but a little like an urn. There is another [rock] near which might more properly be said to resemble a center ________ table if the upper part which appears ________ were taken off.

Separate records say that a journal was kept of the trip “from GREENE, NY, leaving Saturday, March 21, 1857, taking a train west, and then a boat.” The papers attribute the journal to Juliana Delay Gere but others attribute it to her 12 year-old daughter, Hannah Jane Gere (the child that died a couple of months after arriving in Nebraska Territory). Presumably the Gere family took the railroad to St. Louis; then a steamboat up the Missouri to Brownsville, N.T.; then overland by wagon. Greene, NY was possibly the gathering point for the party traveling together to Nebraska Territory.

Thursday, June 25 [1857]. This morning I went over to Mr. [Joseph] Griffing and had a very pleasant visit. I like Lydia G[riffing] very much and wish she were a single girl. She has been rather homesick and she talked of her school days.

Entries here forward appear to be by her father, Horatio Nelson Gere, after arriving in Table. Rock, Nebraska Territory in April 1857.

Thursday, July 2, 1857.  [first mention of sister Hannah’s illness]

Saturday, July 4 [1857]. Stars and stripes fly from liberty pole which they have erected just at the corner of the Fremont boarding house which is going up now. One year ago today, Br. Giddings, Br. Gorton and I were at Binghamton [New York] attending the [Methodist] Annual Conference. Now we are here under the same roof in Nebraska. [Giddings arrived the last day of June and stayed two weeks before returning back East.]

Sunday, July 5 [1857]. Hannah is no worse I think and we had meeting here [at our cabin] today. Br. Giddings preached an excellent sermon. Subject: Christian Triumphs. The men built an awning over the back door and a good share of the congregation sat out of doors.

Monday, July 6 [1857]. Mr. Giddings and Mr. Steele have gone away.

Friday, July 10 [1857]. Mr. Giddings and 3 others have gone over to South Fork so are [only] 3 boarders [at our cabin].

Sunday, July 12 [1857]. We had [church] meeting today and Brother Giddings preached.

[The next pages are about the illness and death of Hannah Jane Gere, who died on July 18, 1857.]

The following entries appear to be written by Julia Marie Gere:

Saturday, October 24 [1857]. This morning Mr. [George L.] Griffing came over after me to help lay out his wife [Achsah Andrews Griffing] who died about 4 this morning. She has been sick with consumption a long time. She leaves 4 small children, 3 of whom are unwell.

Sunday, October 25 [1857]. We all went to Mrs. Griffing’s funeral.

Monday, November 30 [1857]. The weather is very pleasant today – the sun shining warm. I went over to see Lydia [Ross] Griffin[g] this afternoon.

Thursday, December 3 [1857]. Muir and Giddings stayed here last night. Mr. Giddings appears as enthusiastic in his praises of Nebraska as ever. It seems good to see him here again.

Saturday, December 5, 1857. Brother Giddings went over to Mr. [George] Griffing’s and stayed so late. Things have not gone exactly to suit him since he was here [last July]. He thinks the agents of the company have not done exactly right here.

Apparently there are entries at the end of this diary that describe Julia Marie Gere’s death in detail. She died 14 April 1859 and these entries were written by her mother. They say that Lydia and Fannie Giddings (C. W. Giddings’ two oldest daughters] sat with her as she lay dying. The following entries were probably written by Juliana Delay Grant Gere, wife of Horatio Nelson Gere, during 1857 and early 1858:

April 8 [1858]. We have had the greatest rain we ‘ve had since we came to Nebraska – it commenced raining yesterday and we had shower after shower accompanied by the most vivid lightning and thunder. It rained powerfully in the night and some today.

April 10 [1858]. Still raining. The streams are much higher than they have been during the past year. Mr. Alexander carried the mail day before yesterday but could not cross South Fork; banks full, the crossing all covered, canoe carried away, and so we get no mail this week. Yesterday, Mr. Selfridge came to look out roads up and down the river and Mr. G. and he went down the river but were prevented from going up today by the rain.

Monday, April 12 [1858]. Still stormy. Yesterday very unpleasant, but 2 men came here. One a stranger looking for claims – staid till three pm. Both had the ague yesterday. We have quite a snow storm. Ground considerably white this morning and still is snowing. On the whole it has been one of the worst – yes – one of the worst storms particularly for the length of its duration we have had since we came to the Terr[itory a little over a year ago]. Mr. Selfridge left this p.m. without looking out the road up the river.

April 14 [1858]. Mr. Slefridge has returned to view the road – sunshine has returned too! We had a frost last night which we were afraid will destroy the plums as they were in blossom. Last night got the forth letter from Br. Jesse’s family we have since we came.

Sun [April] 18 [1858]. Rains again today – our Sabbaths are unpleasant lately – we have had some unpleasant days during the week. Last night, an Irishman (stranger) called and staid with us – took supper and breakfast.

April 22 [1858]. Mr G[ere] has gone today to Pawnee with Mr. McNeil.

Sun [April] 25 [1858]. Today is the third Sunday in succession it has rained – tho but little today but few went to Meeting. Br. Westfall preached. Yesterday 5 Indians called here who were “Hung-ry” as usual – I fed them as usual for which the Missouri Chief put a bracelet off his own wrist on to each one of mine… They generally come in bands of 5 or 6 or so – If I could talk with them I would not mind it – but that is out of the question.

Wed [April] 28 [1858]. Monday I got a pony and went down the river with Julia. I rode part of the way and she the rest. I stayed to Mr. Birchlines about an hour, then rode to Mrs. Dimons. It was the first time I have seen where they live…

Today another covered wagon drawn by three yoke of oxen passed here for Turkey Creek, a number of families have gone there this spring and only one (a man and his wife) have come to this neighborhood. Went to Joseph Griffin[g]’s and bought one pound of butter.

Friday, [April] 30 [1858].  We have had about the hardest shower today we have since we came to the T[erritory].

May 2nd [1858]. First Sunday in the month – very rainy and cold – wonder if all the Sundays will be rainy? A part of last week the weather was warm even for summer weather – the contrast is unpleasant… Sabbath School was to be organized today.

Monday [May] 3 [1858]. Cold and Rainy.

Tuesday [May] 4 [1858]. Cold and very rainy. Four emigrant wagons passed by on their way to Fort Kearney some hundred miles west [of here].  …John has broken ground commencing to dig the cellar on the town lot preparatory to building.

May 5th [1858]. Today warm and sunny.  ….Mr. Gere got a letter from Br. Giddings. Mr. Peeve returned home with [Mr. Gere from Pawnee]. A stranger also stayed with us – an Englishman.

May 5th [6th?]. Mr. Gere and Mr. Peeve have gone again to locate a road.

May 7 [1858]. Sat______ 3 families with 9 children arrived at Table Rock. Mr. Chambers’ wife and four children continue [boarding] with us. Mrs. Hand staid two nights with two children (Mr. Hand 1 night). They then went to keeping house in Mr. Giddings house ½ mile off.  [Giddings contracted with someone to build his house for him before he brought his family out from Pennsylvania.]  What a strange thing – 3 women and 9 children to come upon us of a sudden!  Why it seemed like old times.  Music aplenty, children all tired and hungry, and quite a number sick -- all the babies and one or two of the children…

May 10th [1858]. P.M., Mr. And Mrs. Fowler and child arrived from NY. The settlement is improving.

May 14th [1858]. M. Fowler’s went to housekeeping in a house that 4 men built in one PM and hour and half up the river.

May 16th [1858]. Mr. Baker (a young man) from Carbondale, PA arrived at evening so we were not alone but a few hours. Today (17th) he has gone to find a claim. The children remain sick yet. George was quite sick last night.

Monday, [May] 18 [1858]. Last Friday it was very warm. Saturday very cold. Sun[day] cold and rainy. Mon[day] cold. Sunday there was no [church] meeting. I was sent for to visit Mrs. L[ydia Ross] Griffin[g], who was quite sick. I was not well. I had a slight “chill” Sat PM. The sick children are getting some better.

May 20 Wed [1858]. Last night frost yesterday and day before showery. Today cold. I have been making soap – boiling now the last kettle full – cleaning house and moving beds. We are preparing for Mr. Giddings and company. Mr. Lahre (?) has gone to Brownsville hoping to meet his wife.…

[May] 23 Sat [1858]. Mr. Lahre returned without his wife. Continues showery and cold till this PM.  South wind blows strong and weather grows warm. We have had a longtime of stormy weather. I have been quite unwell [and so] has Mr. Gere. I am very busy putting the house in order for Mr. Giddings and company but they will not come this week.

[May] 25 Mon [1858]. Yesterday cool in morning; rairy previous night. Turned very warm and pleasant, sprinkled a trifle but blew a perfect gust in the night and rained in “torrents” with thunder and lightning hardest shower we have had since we came here. Had preaching yesterday. Mr. Tyler read a sermon… Today, Mr. Phillips (one of Mr. Giddings company) arrived. He did not come on the same boat up the river as G. Two other men came with him but did not stop at our house. Another Penn man took dinner with us – a newcomer. Thundering out and looks showery. Does not seem like Nebraska weather!

[May] 30 [1858]. Oh what an eventful week has just passed. This much I found time to write in more than two weeks and now (June 1?) I am too sick to work and so I can write a little. A week ago last night at midnight [May 26, 1858?], Mr. Giddings and family (and a boy) arrived here. I went to bed very tired but had a good nap when I was awakened by loud rapping on the door – Julia and I being alone below,  I hardly knew what to do but tried to dress as fast as I could.  But Mr. G. was in a hurry as it threatened to rain and the family were wet and tired. I finally let them in and then went back to dress. I found them tired, wet, cold, and hungry. I got a fire and prepared supper as soon as I could. Then ousted the family and prepared beds for them (every bed was occupied when they came). I finally got them all to bed and went to bed myself. There were 7 of them. Next day a number more came to dinner and in an hour more, 6 men came. That night I reckoned 27 in all staid with us…

I cannot describe the labour and confusion of that day. I divided the beds and spread them over the floor. I slept on a husk bed without any pillows. Several of the men made themselves beds on the floor of their wagon on bags and cushions. Next day [May 28], Mr. Giddings sent to the river after his goods and the women – that night we had 16 men (all the newly arrived) with us. Next night (Thursday), Mr. Giddings came back. Gillespie took dinner, supper, lodging and breakfast, took leave without warning or even thanking us for our trouble. He probably considered himself a guest of some of the company as he was acquainted with some of them. He as well as many others that I had to wait upon till I was so weary that existence itself seemed a burden. Appeared to look upon us as only machines put here to minister to their physical wants…  Mr. Giddings put up their beds [that they brought with them] and so helped to lodge a [few of the boarders]. It is very hard work to lodge them. It was harder to get their meals. During the first 24 hours there were about 50 meals (counting every time a person ate) besides our own family which would make 15 more! Thursday night we had 27 to supper besides our usual family. Oh the weariness, the confusion. I never experienced anything like it before.

What made it inexpressibly annoying and disagreeable was that the people for whom I had to nearly sacrifice life – certainly its comforts – treated us with the greatest indifference, looking upon us in the light of common tavern keepers and not even trying to conceal their sneers at the meager fixin of this unfinished home (with I am glad to say some honorable exception). The Sabbath [May 31, 1858] set in very rainy and it rained much during the week. Mr. Muir staid here and took the girls to [church] meeting….  There was prayer meeting in the evening. At the end of the first week, Mr. Giddings divided the boarders with us [by taking some into his home]…. An elderly gentleman and son came twice and stayed with us (Mr. Holmes was from Waterbury, Conn). We liked him much and he liked our settlement and talked strongly of purchasing here. Others called here frequently increasing our family much. Mr. Giddings hired 3 of our men so they went to work for Giddings, boarding with them. My health is poor. I find it very hard work to do for them that remain…

There are no other entries for the month of June or the first half of July 1858, except for the following written on July 4.  It says that it was written “to Henry from his mother”:

We still live in the Boardinghouse with Mr. Giddings and keep part of the boarders and callers. I long for a little more rest and quiet but must wait. Our house is not begun yet, tho several are commenced.

More from Juliene Gere’s diary:

July 18 [1858]. I do not write often enough to keep up with events. We have just had a second freshet, the water has been over the banks -- steep as they are – the second coming soon after the first which covered our garden for the most part of it and much of it several feet under water. It is not yet off and most of our garden vegetables are spoiled. We had a fine prospect for abundance of vegetables but alas nothing is certain here. Many acres of the flats have been covered with water. The bridges are all carried away on the river and creeks. Mill dams washed out and it will take many hundred dollars and much time to repair the damage. Mr. Fowler’s family moved into Sanford’s house last night. Several of the family had been sick and their shantee leaked badly and they were glad to get into better quarters tho the home is nothing but a shell. A wagon stands a few rods away – answers for a house to the women. They have lived in their wagon much of the time since a year ago last May except a few months in winter. The man professes to be a Doctor, is intelligent, much older than his wife who is an accomplished woman agreeable and pious.

Mrs. Jenkins was very sick – through the night vomiting continually. Mrs. [Clarissa Griffing] Giddings has been with her today and succeeded in relieving her principally by putting on mustard to her stomach and feet – she also took cholera drops and laudanum as she was in great distress. I rode down to see her when they went after Mrs. G[iddings]. I do not wonder that people are sick. Such a bad smell arises from the decaying vegetables in the black stagnant pools and where the vegetation is killed and turning black. Today the air is brisk and seems more wholesome. The Doctor predicts much sickness…  Mr. Gere is having some chills [at present]. He is now able to sit up. He brought them on by wading in the snow and water after the lumber at the Mill – nearly all that have them as far as we know have brought them on by exposure.

July 28 [1858]. The streams have risen much in a few days so that it is difficult going from one home to another. The sickness increases tho some are better. Julia went yesterday to Mr. [George L] Griffin[g]s to nurse the sick but she could not find the crossing of the creek, the bridge had been washed away with all the rest. (Mr. Griffin[g]’s children are alone; two are having the ague more or less; he is away electioneering for himself.)

August 8 [1858]. Another birthday has come and gone. Election tho’ was on Wed on the 2nd. A very quiet time tho exceedingly slow. It seemed the people would not decide how to vote, there were so many electioneering for their favorite candidate.

Tuesday, [August] 3 [1858]. Mrs. [Clarissa Griffing] Giddings and I rode on horseback to Mr. Nesbits to carry things for their necessity and comfort. Most all of the family were or had been sick. Mr. and Mrs. Nesbitt have been sick several weeks. They were suffering for the comforts of life. I had been over before to see them carrying provisions. [My] Julia and Fanny [Giddings] went on Monday carrying more. Found Mrs. N[esbitt] quite sick, thus my second visit.

August 13, 1858. Mr. Fleming and wife had the ague; also Mr. Lokes family. 3 of Mr. Smith (English Smith) family, all of Mr. Nesbitts except the baby and he is here and not very well and I think some of the family at Coopers. Several at George Griffens, Mrs. Jos. Griffen, Mr. Hogan, Mr. Hand and wife and child….  The weather is extremely warm and now dry. I suffer much with the heat which is a most uncomfortable disease.

August 17th [1858]. Today 6 men have gone from this house to Brownsville, some expecting to meet their wives there, and some perhaps to [not] return to this place again till next year (if ever).   ….Mr. Nesbitts family of 10 all have the chills or are suffering from the effects of them but the baby who had it since – and are entirely out of bread stuff – living on green corn principally!! There has been no flour in Brownsville even long back for sale – our man went with his team and N’s boy and got one sack only for which he paid $7.00.

August 29 [1858]. The summer is nearly gone but not so the sickness (apparently). Mr. Giddings has not a well boarder!  We have one – Mr. Jones?? (he has since had the ague). Mr. George is at Brownsville waiting for his wife – nearly all the male population of Table Rock that were any way able -- and some that expected to have ague on the way – went to the Land Office to enter their land or await Mr. Muirs arrival who had promised many of land warrants. It is expected he would be there when they arrived counting on the time he intended to start, but to the great disappointment of many he did not arrive. Mr. Giddings went to enter the Townsite. Mr. Gere went for ______.  They went Tues and waited till Sat then however made out to enter it without Muir. Several are waiting there yet as the office closes this week I believe. Mr. Gere found a letter there containing a Land Warrant from his brother John (for which we all feel very thankful). He entered his claim in about 2 hours after arriving so our anxiety is over about securing our claim at present. I was sick when Mr. Gere went away having had fever without much chill. Thursday I had a hard chill and fever and was very sick. Next day we opened quinine and John took it – his chill came on that day but not since. He had 13 chills and fevers in as many days which reduced his strength and took off his flux a good deal. I took [quinine] on Saturday but not to prevent my shaking 2 hours as I never did before. Then came on the terrible fever and I had a very sick afternoon. So by Monday I have taken quinine again and have missed the chill. Saturday was quite a noted day for chills. Little Mary Giddings shook first. Then about noon, Mr. Westfall and myself commenced shaking. Then Mr. Sanford in our room [etc.]. In addition to those mentioned, Mr. Giddings has had it and Sarah, Mr. Johnson, etc.

September 11 [1858]. Mr. Smith an elderly man lately from England was buried yesterday. He was consumptive and at last had a chill from which he never rallied…. But it is no use to enumerate [illness] cases for everybody is or has been sick during the past two months and some several times (unless I exempt Mr. Giddings whose turn has not come yet).

On a separate scrap of paper which appears to have been written by Juliana Gere:

Sometime in late fall of 1858? Mr. Giddings had a fire on his place which kept him and all his hands busy day and part of the night in keeping from his corn and hay stacks and from which list in injured sows. You may depend they were a grand sight especially in the night.

December 25, 1858. Mr. Gere and myself went to Mr. Giddings to a Christmas party. About 50 in all were there. In the evening was meeting. Mr. Westfall preached a short sermon. Mr. [George L.] Griffin[g] followed with some good remarks. Then Mr. Giddings’ Liddia [Lydia] _________then closed the entertaining meeting after which we had much good singing.

The following from J. N. Gere to brother “Hank”

[On Wednesday 31 Aug 1859] Fanny [Giddings] came in while I was writing the other day. Went elderberrying with her, in the afternoon went graping. Got about half a pail full. Pa and I went again yesterday – took the team along and went off about two miles. Got two pails full. Fanny G[iddings] and her “intended” (that was) have had a quarrel and she is now going with another “feller.” How long she will stick to him I can’t imagine.” [Fanny Giddings dumped her fiancée named Freeman and married Chauncey Norris instead.]

Another scrap, probably written by Horatio Nelson Gere:

April 15, 1859. Our daughter’s funeral attended at Mr. Giddings – large congregation.  Mr. [George L.] Griffin[g] preached from James IV 14, a very impressive sermon.”

Sun, 21 August 1859. Mr. J[oseph] Griffin[g]’s only child died…. Buried in the afternoon.” [This was Sabrina Griffing.]

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