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CAROLINE LAURA RICE : 1885 ORIGINAL GROUP OF THREE [3] MANUSCRIPT DIARIES HANDWRITTEN BY THE WIFE OF NOTED REVEREND WILLIAM RICE

16mo - over 5¾" - 6¾" tall. On offer is an interesting group of three [3] original manuscript diaries for 1885, 1886 and 1887 handwritten, as identified in two of the three books, by C. L. Rice of Springfield Massachusetts. Research leaves little doubt that this was Caroline Laura Rice, wife of Reverend William Rice. The noteworthy [see the BIO NOTES below] Reverend Rice was born on March 10th about 1821 and Caroline born in 1820. While she did not write every day, between the three books there are about 373 pages making for them an average of one third full each. Illness may have played a part in this as it seems that Caroline is crippled in a wheel chair and in some way; at least it seems that way during the time these diaries were written. She notes that they carried her up stairs in her new chair. Then through 1885 and 1886 the doctor visits and recommends a "rubber" who is plainly a masseuse who frequently gives her massages. That said she is 65 years old and perhaps her aging is advanced. Here are some snippets: 1885 "Miriam came up with the two boys. Horace is to sit for a crayon picture. They stop at "the other house" but were over to tea….We had Horace's picture home from Mrs. Parmalee's for our criticisms. Mrs. J. and Rachel came over to see it…. Had a woman (Mrs. Fawcett) recommended by Dr. Bowles to give me "Massage."…..Mrs. F. for the second time to manipulate my lame legs….Mr. R. at preachers meeting. Miriam was over here in the forenoon and did some errands for me. The children, Laura and William stayed to dinner and came again to tea, curious to see Grandpa's birthday packages opened. Mrs. Fawcett and rubbing (6)…Con. adjourned at noon. Several of the company left before dinner. Some of them to attend the funeral of Bro. Braman who died suddenly at Evans House during conference. All our visitors left in afternoon. Charles went to Webster to get ready for his move to Lowell. Went to ride this morning. Called on Millett's again and he finally came this evening and filled the vase but did not finish his work…..The Crawford's gone to Cape Porpoise to try change of air for the baby. Ed went at noon to Pittsfield. Will and Lizzie dined with us on their way to Boston and the White Mountains. Eddie came up last evening and went with the Crawford's…." 1886 "Mr. Woods came this afternoon on his way to Westfield to the graduating exercises of the Normal. Mr. Bishop in to tea….Mr. R. went to N. York today to attend a meeting of the trustees of the Wesleyan University….Ed went back to Pittsfield this noon. Mr. R. came in before dinner with his throat in a much worse condition and apparently sick every way. Miriam and Laura came in. They have just come to the other house and Horace is with them….Lizzie appeared this forenoon. Charles arrived about noon but stops at the other house. We all went to the library to see the procession, the great celebration. I have not been in the library for years before….A telegram says the dear little boy is worse….A telegram that he died last evening. Mr. R. went to M. this morning and returned in the evening to go again with me tomorrow….Middletown. We came here this A.M. Mr. R. not well when we left home. Very ill in the afternoon after we arrived…..The little boy was laid away in his narrow bed but we could not follow him or even be present at the services in the house. Mr. R. is sick with dysentery and I stayed with him. All the folks said good bye to us and left but Charlie….Charlie came from Lowell today to spend a few days here before going to the Vineyard….Carrie and Morris went to Springfield to get furniture. A dreadful day, rain, rain, rain. Air close, depressing….We have been moved and are settled at Will's this afternoon. Have driven most of the family out of their rooms. Carrie and Morris came this evening…Middletown. We went down stairs. Mr. R. and myself the first time he has walked down for two months. Carrie and Morris over to dinner…." 1887 "Mr. Rice gave his lecture on Milton to a class of ladies this forenoon. Emma came this afternoon just at dinner time….Went to the Miss meeting and read a paper. Emma went with me. Had a dress maker at the house. Mr. R. and E. went to see the Tapestry in the forenoon….Went to Mrs. Alexander's to hear the Pandita Ramabai. She spoke to the "club". Left Laura putting up a picture house. Had the dentist in the afternoon come and take out one of the fillings in my teeth. It caused so much pain….Went to the club at Mrs. Powers. Subject, How best to promote the temperance reform now that the no license law is in force. What to do for young men….Mr. Rice gone to the preachers meeting at Northampton. Miss Goeckler, his last summer's nurse, came to make us a little visit. Had a tooth out this morning…Pleasant. Remembrances of my birthday from children and grandchildren. The Crawford's left early this morning. Went out to ride. Found flowers from Miss Kueil when I came in…Mr. R. went to W. again in a great rain to accompany ex. Gov. Robinson to the graduating exercises. He is to make a speech on the occasion (the Gov.)…..Ed came down this noon, only for a short visit. He has not yet prepared to leave for the summer. Miss R. was taken ill this evening and called the doctor. She was in great pain but soon found relief. Carrie's baby not well. Miss R. better but sick in bed. Ed left at 9 o'clock A.M. Baby Freddie has dysenteric diarrhea. Artie Pease has come in to take care of her aunt….Clara Pease came to care for Miss R. in place of Artie. Means to take her home. She is rather better. Baby Fred quite ill and all his folks anxious. They took him this afternoon to the sea shore….Saturday had some changes made about the beds upstairs and was carried up in my new chair to see the arrangement. Later we all went to ride. It was cold but clear and bright……" Many names mentioned: Crawford, Mary Scranton, Jennie Bishop, Dickinson, Bishop Foster, Strong, Dr. Vincent, Crowell, Fawcett, Darling, Denslow, Dr. Rogers, Pease, Bogbee, Richardson, Dr. Cummings, Dr. Bates, Donovan, Northrup, Woods, Emerson, Pillsbury, Holburds, Dr. Bowles and more. All three diaries measure about 3¼" x 5¾" and are overall G. BIO NOTES: The book "William Rice: A Memorial" tells of his distinguished career as a preacher abolitionist. Later in life he became Springfield's town librarian. In fact the library is now called The William Rice Building. He married Caroline on September 13th, 1843. She was the daughter of William North of Lowell Massachusetts. They had two sons, William North Rice, Professor in Wesleyan University and Charles Francis Rice, a member of the New England Conference. Their daughter is Caroline Laura, wife of Morris B. Crawford, professor in Wesleyan University. Then one of their sons, Edward Hyde Rice, died at an early age in 1895. Both William and Caroline died before 1900.. Manuscript. Book Condition: Good

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