Dear Diary
This book belongs to me, Sarah Collins.
My name, is Sarah Jane Collins I just learned to write.
I shall write more tomorrow... Barnabas has come to
Miss Sarah.
on this day the 29th of April 1790, Mother has taken
May 1st 1790 father is sending Barnabas far away to a
I was never more happier then this day August 6th,
I like to practice all the time,I am six years old, I
was given this book for my birthday this
26 day of April, 1790. So that I may have a chance to
write more often.
These are the memories of my days here in Collins Manor
in the year of our lord seventeen hundred and ninety,
I am the youngest and last of the Collins to be born in
this Collins Manor, after fathers return from the war
to help this nation break free from England and shortly
after my birth, he along with my Uncle Jeremiah Collins
began building the new house they plan to call
Collinwood, my only other sibling is my brother
Barnabas, he is my big brother and taught me how to
write my letters. I love my brother! he is always
making up games for me to play and takes me with him
when he goes into Collinsport the town founded by my
Great-Grandfather "Issac Collins"
Barnabas has seen to my learning the ways of becoming
a gentle lady, he also taught me how to ride, even
though I am very frightened by horses, since being
thrown off and twisting my ankle...Barnabas keeps
telling me that I need to get back on soon or I never
will, I don't mind that at all...I asked him why
father goes away on trips, as if he did not like
staying home with Mother and his children, Barnabas
said he was sure father did love his family, and that
he was just to busy to show us how he really felt. I
wished father was not so busy, because it would be nice
to see father show how much he loved his family.
Barnabas is more father to me in my daily life, it is
he who sees that I am taken care of, Mother is always
ill and takes a nasty smelling mixture! although I know
she loves me and Barnabas, on her well days we sit and
sew hankies for father and Barnabas.
Aunt Abigail is trying to teach me the art of fine
stitch needle point, although soon becomes short
tempered with me and always ends up telling me to go
watch cook prepare the meal and maybe learn something,
why would I wish to learn how to cook! when I grow up
I will be a fine lady and mistress of my home like
Mother.
tuck me in bed...
to her bed, with what Barnabas said was the vapers,
I do not understand.
Father has gone to Boston to build another ship, and
has left Barnabas in chanrge of everything.
Uncle Jeremiah is very busy with plans to build the
New House, he does not know I have found out were the
secret passages are.
place called Martinique to visit a plantation owner
named DuPres, I hope my brother finds a friend there
to keep him company and does not forget me while he is
in that strange country.
1790 when I did receive a letter from my brother
Barnabas... his letters to me are always cheerful. He
tells me how he misses the time that he is away from
the manor and hopes I am keeping up with the lessons
he left for me..I asked father if I may write back in
return, being told that Barnabas is there on family
business and I would only distract him from doing it.
how I wish I could tell him how much I miss him...
