Ellie’s new year’s resolution

Twenty-five-year-old Ellie Stoneroad, my third-great grandmother, resolved on January 1, 1868, to keep a journal for her eyes only. In her opening entry, she noted her mother’s recent illness, her existential boredom, her wish to do some good in the world, and her devotion to her god.

Ellie continued to write from her Mifflin County home–for a while, anyway. She put pen to paper on January 2, 10, 17, 22, and 26; February 1, 4, 8, 9, 13, and 24; March 1, 11, 15, 25, and 30; April 14 and 26; May 3; June 3 and 8; and July 7. The new year’s resolution lasted for just about half a year–but as somebody who has tried do to the same thing and failed every time, I’d say her record is admirable.

Here’s Ellie’s New Year’s Day entry. Sorry, Ellie, I know it was meant for your eyes only, but sharing this is in service to the greater good. I think you’d appreciate that.

January 1, 1868
This is the first day of the New Year and I have determined to keep a journal during this year to write all the important event of the year, to write when I have time and when I feel like it. I intend this book shall be for no eye but my own and here I intend to write many of my secret thoughts and feelings.

This New Year’s day has been a very busy day to me. Mother has not been well and I have had a great deal to do in the kitchen, but I have often felt that I would be of more use in the world if I had more to do. Perhaps I had better say if I did more, for I think we could all find enough to do if we were looking for opportunities to do. I do pray that God would enable me to be more useful this year. I have much leisure and I hope in that time to improve not only myself but others. The best way is to begin right. Tonight is our prayer meeting. I will try during the year to let nothing which I can prevent keep me from the prayer meeting as well as the other religion services of the church and I do want to be more faithful to my Sabbath School class. I feel that I have there five little immortal souls commited to my care and God grant that my meeting with them from Sabbath to Sabbath during this year may not be in vain, but may I sow in their young hearts good seed that shall in time bring forth precious fruits. I do desire to be a more faithful and obedient daughter to a aged and kind mother. I desire to ask for and to feel that I have God’s blessing repair me in all that I do. God has promised to give his blessing to those that ask, and I know his promises are true.

I want this book to contain much of my true life and I expect to record much that is evil as well as the good.