Dear Diary,
It is hard for me to do well in schooling when little Homer is sick with measles. His fever is getting terrible and his eyes are getting very red (1, Plagues and Diseases). Ma is very worried. We may soon not be able to go to Sabbath services or to school because we might become contagious.
I walk to my school, which is not too far a distance from our home. The school was built less than ten years ago when the Massachusetts Governor made a law saying that every community with over fifty homes had to have its own school(2, Going to School in Colonial America). Boston is growing, and new homes are built very often.
School has been very rough and I have been getting in trouble. Rufus and I were talking and the teacher noticed so I had to wear the dunce cap and Rufus had to wear whispering sticks ( 3 If you Lived In Colonial Times ). Mr. Smith allowed us to return to our seats after lunch. I made sure that I worked quietly for the rest of the day. I did not want to receive a thrashing (4, Founders & Patriots of New England ). I overheard Ma telling Pa that she thinks I am acting out because I am worried about Homer. She may be right.
In school, we studied from our Primer, and I made sure to pay attention. My ma had taught me how to read and write before I came to the free school. Now, in the elementary school, I am beginning to learn to read and write in Latin (5 Colonial Education ). I do not care a great deal for school, and learning Latin is most certainly not making my studies any easier. I do not wish to attended Harvard and become a minister, so why should I learn Latin? My greatest wish is to learn the silver trade and join my father in his company. My parents are expected to deliver food and firewood to the schoolhouse instead of paying with money (6 Founders & Patriots of New England), ( 7 If You Lived in Colonial Times ). The day was long, and I could not wait to get home and rest by the fire. I am getting very sleepy as I write this. I hope Homer is feeling better in the morning!
With the Lord’s blessing,
Obadiah R. Jackson
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