Isabel P.

Dear Diary, May 5, 1705

Hello there, good morrow! Why, Where should I begin? I believe introducing myself would be a fine way to start. My name in Charlotte Tabitha Ainsley though thee can call me Lotty. I live in the New York Colony. My city is Albany, Most of my friends live in the city. My Father wanted to be a successful person and stay away from the Bustling city. Today is my 12th birthday, I still feel eleven. I’m writing in my Mama’s gift to me. Though Not many kids went to my age passing party .There are not many children in my county. My best friend lives a couple minutes away. Her name is Modesty Hill. I want to tell thee so much, I will teach thee on my life and all Ainsley Namesake.

My grandpa was a stow away on the Big ship that led many to religious freedom. The boat was called the Mayflower,(1, History Alive) He tells me fine stories on the voyage over to this new place. I don’t know anymore about the Ainsley family before that. My father’s name is Jared Ainsley. He does not like old pa telling me his stories. My stepmother is named Rose Ainsley, she told me mother died when I was birthed. Sometimes I wonder what my birth mother was like. Father tells me she was nice and beautiful.  My new mother believes in women’s schooling. She teaches me arithmetic, and other things at home. I have five siblings Prudence, Cyrus, Amity, Linus, and Ester. I am the second oldest in my family. Prudence is fourteen and thinks she knows everything. I’m twelve I just turned, Cyrus is ten, Amity is eight, Linus is also eight, and Ester is six  years of age. Ester has tuberculosis (2, Group Notes). I’m very scared, my father is,too. We can’t touch her because of her Cough and fever ( 3, htp. www. cdc.gov/tb/) Pa is a farmer, he grows Tobacco, wheat, corn, and vegetables ( 4, HA) Mama is a seamstress, she has to make her own cloth ( 5, The New York Colony)

Oh Marry! I didn’t tell thee what I look like. I have chestnut brown hair and skin the color of rich olive oil. Mama tells me my dimples and peach cheeks are the gods gift to me. She thinks I’m beautiful. I also have lips the color of a light cherry. My favorite thing is my journal, I want to be a writer. Though, I shall never be one because of my gender. I have to sew and learn how to be a household woman ( 6, If you lived in colonial times). Modesty and I have always been best friends. I’m older, she is eleven. Though, she acts like she’s thirteen. We live in a brick house with two stories. My room has silk sheets my step Mama gave me these when she came into the family. My real mother left me a poppet. It has porcelain. Hmmn, I wonder what else that I should tell thee before I go on. Accurately, I have nothing else important to tell thee. I shall move on.

Mama has lived here all her life, her pa came here to claim New York for the british in 1664 (7, HA). Mama is so interesting. She knows how to stand up for herself. Of course, if she talks back or does anything rude to father she could be punished for it ( 8, IYLICT). She is confident, wise, and poetic. Pa is wealthier than most. He is very smart and very nice. I adore him, as well.  

Oh, please read more of my journal! I hope thee will be interested to know what life was like in the colonies!

Fare Thee Well,

Charlotte