Gleanings from Jane Mather’s 1916 diary

In her

Jane Mather and "Cluny"

President Wilson, a diamond pin, a brother’s death and more.

In her “Daylogue” for 1916, Stephen’s wife, Jane, included both occasions and

opinions. Although she did not write every day, her observations held surprising candor and reflected on the simple joys and inevitable sorrows life can hold.

February 5:  “Arrived in Washington. Break at hotel. Went to office with S.

To reception of Pres. Wilson to members of Judicial court. Not much fun.”

February 6: “To Georgetown to church. Expected to hear Archdeacon [Hudson]

Stuck of Alaska. Got to wrong church. S. had a dinner in pm at Cosmos Club to Cal. Men. Mrs Albright had supper with me.”

February 7:  [Jane’s birthday] “S. gave me diamond bar pin. Bought records for Betty…To Georgetown to hear Archd. Stuck lecture. Had bad back ache all   night.  Flowers from S. and Marshalls. Date candy from B.”

February 29: “Reached W. at 9:30 am hour late. No one met me.  Found S. in his room tired out from Sun [New York Sun alumni] dinner last night and night trip back from N.Y…”

March 6: “Aunt E. arrived at 1:30. Harry who arrived this A.M. and I met her.  All to poor play in pm Ethel Barrymore in [Our] Mrs. McChesney.”

May 2: “Harry had operation at Roosevelt Hos.”  May 3: Harry doing as well as can be expected…”

May 4: “Harry getting along nicely with no complications.  May 5: Harry died at 11 pm at Hospital.”

[Jane’s brother, Henry Floy 19 Sep 1866-5 May 1916] May 7: “Lovely trip all the way. Dogwood, Judas tree. Apple blossoms…Funeral to be tomorrow at St. Andrews church at 1:30.”  May 8: “Many people at church. To White Pl [White Plains] in auto…Grace pretty miserable.” [Jane’s sister, Grace Floy.]

May 26: “…at 10 had call from Mrs. Shawk. Wanted a room in the house for summer.  Too fresh for words.”

May 28: “Did not go to church. Virginia and Evelyn here to dinner.  Took drive. Stopped at Marshalls a minute.  Then B. to Sunday school with Marshalls…”

May 30: “Rainy.  Took Albrights and Marsh. girls and Miss C. to Buffalo Bills show.  Col. Cody took us all around, his guests…We took Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Smith [Pacific Coast Borax] who are in town to the Willard to dinner.  Enjoyed it.

June 21: “Our first berries…”

“Daylogue” for 1916, Stephen’s wife, Jane, included both occasions and

opinions. Although she did not write every day, her observations held surprising

candor and reflected on the simple joys and inevitable sorrows life can hold.

February 5: “Arrived in Washington. Break at hotel. Went to office with S.

To reception of Pres. Wilson to members of Judicial court. Not much fun.”

February 6: “To Georgetown to church. Expected to hear Archdeacon [Hudson]

Stuck of Alaska. Got to wrong church. S. had a dinner in pm at Cosmos Club to

Cal. Men. Mrs Albright had supper with me.”

February 7: [Jane’s birthday] “S. gave me diamond bar pin. Bought records for

Betty…To Georgetown to hear Archd. Stuck lecture. Had bad back ache all

night. Flowers from S. and Marshalls. Date candy from B.”

February 29: “Reached W. at 9:30 am hour late. No one met me. Found S. in his room tired out

from Sun [New York Sun alumni] dinner last night and night trip back from N.Y…”

March 6: “Aunt E. arrived at 1:30. Harry who arrived this A.M. and I met her. All to poor play in

pm Ethel Barrymore in [Our] Mrs. McChesney.”

May 2: “Harry had operation at Roosevelt Hos.” May 3: Harry doing as well as can be expected…”

May 4: “Harry getting along nicely with no complications. May 5: Harry died at 11 pm at Hospital.”

[Jane’s brother, Henry Floy 19 Sep 1866-5 May 1916] May 7: “Lovely trip all the way. Dogwood, Judas

tree. Apple blossoms…Funeral to be tomorrow at St. Andrews church at 1:30.” May 8: “Many people at

church. To White Pl [White Plains] in auto…Grace pretty miserable.” [Jane’s sister, Grace Floy.]

May 26: “…at 10 had call from Mrs. Shawk. Wanted a room in the house for

summer. Too fresh for words.”

May 28: “Did not go to church. Virginia and Evelyn here to dinner. Took drive.

Stopped at Marshalls a minute. Then B. to Sunday school with Marshalls…”

May 30: “Rainy. Took Albrights and Marsh. girls and Miss C. to Buffalo Bills

show. Col. Cody took us all around, his guests…We took Mr. and Mrs. F. M.

Smith [Pacific Coast Borax] who are in town to the Willard to dinner. Enjoyed it.

June 21: “Our first berries…”

Jane Mather and “Cluny”