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…