We now have a local history museum in Mansfield
representing the area in and near Mansfield including Richmond, Sullivan,
Rutland, Covington, Tioga and more
Visit the History Center
on Main Street at 83 North Main Street where our library
resources are housed. We also have a museum location
at 61 North Main Street.
Regular hours are noon to 3 T, W Th or by appointment. Extended Summer
Hours
Also visit us on Facebook -- Museum established 2012 - Memberships
available, Donations welcome
If you have ancestors in our area, the History Center would like to meet you
and show you what we know about your family and learn what you know that we
don't. Mansfield area people are the core of what we value.
Our genealogy database of nearly 100,000 individuals with local connections may include your ancestors.
We also have filing cabinets full of resources and a thorough knowledge of our
past residents, schools, and businesses. It's worth a visit. Memrships or
Donations to The History Center will help keep this website available.
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Bradford County PA
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Chemung County NY
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Tioga County PA
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Tri-Counties Genealogy &
History by Joyce M. Tice
Diaries & Letters of Tri-Counties
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|
Houston Frost Walker |
| Diary of Houston Frost Walker, age 10 |
| Township: Covington Township, Tioga County
PA |
| Year: 1879 |
| Transcribed by Wendell Evans |
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Joyce's Search Tip - December 2010
 |
Do You Know that you can search just the
355 pages of our
Diaries and Letters on this site by using
the Diaries button in the Partitioned search engine at the bottom
of the Current What's New Page? But
diaries and letters are wonderful sources to understand the culture of time and
place. Read them and enjoy them slowly. |
|
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Excelsior Diary - For 1879
- Houston Frost Walker -
Presented to Houston (age 10, born 6 September 1868) by his Father
(Delos Hazelton Walker) Dec. 25 1878
January
Wednesday 1:
I have begun a new year I hope that my actions will be better this year.
Thursday 2:
I stayed at home with Bertha and had a good time.
Friday 3:
No school I spent my time at home with Bertha.
Saturday 4:
I played with Bertha today.
Sunday 5:
I went to church and Sunday school today and Bertha went in a new class.
Monday 6:
I began to go to school today first day of winter term.
Tuesday 7:
I was kept after school to day for being noisy I will try to do better
next time.
Wednesday 8:
I went to school to day and got kept after school because I did not
have my lesson.
Thursday 9:
I attended school to day. It snowed very hard. Papa went to Mansfield
and returned at night.
Friday 10:
I went to school to day. Papa and Moma and Bertha went to Aunt Betsys
and had a good visit.
Saturday 11:
[___] home today and played with Bertha and had a good time. Meating
to night at Presbyterian Church.
Sunday 12:
I went to church and Sunday school in the morning and went to church
in the evening.
Monday 13:
Went to school today and Bertha commenced going to school today with
Maud Hastings.
Tuesday 14:
I went to school to day and we had an object lesson today.
Wednesday 15:
I went to school to day and Bertha is not feeling well so she cannot
go out and ride down hill with me.
Thursday 16:
Aunt May and Uncle Alfred are here and I did not go to school today
and Bertha is sick [___] got a baby this morning.
Friday 17:
I did not go to school to day because I was sick and Bertha is sick
too and I went to Johnas to day
Saturday 18:
We got another prisoner to day by the name of Halsack. Bertha and
I are not well enough so that we can not ride down hill.
Sunday 19:
I did not go to church nor Sunday school today because I was sick
and Bertha did not either. Rachel is here.
Monday 20:
I did not go to school to day because I and Bertha is sick too. Lyman
went away to day.
Tuesday 21:
I did not go to school today. Mama went down town this morning and
Lyman got home today.
Wednesday 22:
I did not go to school today. Rachel and I went to Norma and to Mrs.
Millers today. Bertha is sick.
Thursday 23:
I went to school today and I went to Johns to day with a letter from
John. I knit a [___] since school today.
Friday 24:
I went to school to day and we had spelling this afternoon. Papa went
to bloss this morning and got back tonight
Saturday 25:
Bertha is sick today and we can not ride down hill. I went up to Johnies
to day and when I was up there some one stole my sled.
Sunday 26:
I went to church and Sunday school to day Bertha did not go to church.
Mr. And Mrs Harem and Mr and Mrs Gray.
Monday 27:
I went to school to day abot an hour after I came home Saturday a
little girl brot back my sled and I got it to night.
Tuesday 28:
I went to school to day I did not go to meating tonight but Moma went.
Wednesday 29:
I went to school today.
Thursday 30:
I went to school to day . today Johns had got the [___] and Moma went
up there.
Friday 31:
I went to school to day and today is the last day of this month. We
ha 50 words in spelling.
February
Saturday 1:
I did not go to school today because there was none I took my first
musicle lesson to day.
Sunday 2:
I went to church and Sunday school today Uncle Arthur came with his
family today.
Monday 3:
I did not go to school to day because Lyman L. was here.
Tuesday 4:
I went to school to day. Bertha is sick.
Wednesday 5:
I went to school to day and Bertha is better to day than she was yesterday.
Thursday 6:
I went to school to day and got kept after school because I did not
have my spelling lesson.
Friday 7:
I went to school today and I [___] a [___] this afternoon about [___]
[___] psalm.
Saturday 8:
There was no school to day so I stayed at home I got my hair cut and
I took my music lesson.
Sunday 9:
I did not go to church but I went to Sunday school my Sunday school
teacher is sick and so we had Miss [___] burn for a teacher.
Monday 10:
I went to school today Pa is sick in the evening ma went to the [___]
[___] at the Medist Church.
Tuesday 11:
I went to school today and Pa is sick.
Wednesday 12:
I went to school today and Mr Harison was up there and talked about
berch and water.
Thursday 13:
I went to school to day and Mama went to church to night tomorrow
is valentine day and it is [___] earth day.
Friday 14:
I went to school in the morning but I did not go in the afternoon because
I was sick.
Saturday 15:
Julia John came down hear today for the first time since she got here
baby. I took my music lesson but I was sick and my music teacher came up
[___]
Sunday 16:
I did not go to church nor Sunday school to day because I was sick.
Monday 17:
I did not go to school to day because I was sick.
Tuesday 18:
I went to the festival this evening at boue_ hall but did not fell
very well. I did not go to school.
Wednesday 19:
I did not go to school today because I was sick.
Thursday 20:
I did not go to school today
Friday 21:
I did not go to school today because I was sick
Saturday 22:
I did not take my musicle lesson today because I was sick.
Sunday 23:
I did not go to church in the morning nor evening but went to Sunday
school.
Monday 24:
I did not go to school today
Tuesday 25:
I did not go to school today because I was sick.
Wednesday 26:
We all went to Grandmas to day and Miss Leraley went with us
Thursday 27:
We came back from Grandmas today and got tiped over and our horses ran
about 2 miles
Friday 28:
I did not go to school today
March
Saturday 1:
I did not go to school today because there was non
Sunday 2:
I went to church and Sunday school today and had ri_s.
Monday 3:
I did not go to school today and Mary went home with Mike Mayon and
I washed Mas dishes in the evening.
Tuesday 4:
I did not go to school to day.
Wednesday 5:
I did not go to school today and I had to help mama and pa bought a
team today.
Thursday 6:
I did not go to school to day and Mama has got her carpet for the weare_
Friday 7:
I did not go to school to day and I went away with Papa.
Saturday 8:
Jane Hunt was here this afternoon and pa went away:
Sunday 9:
I went to church and Sunday school today and Mr and Mrs Ellot and
L. Miller was hear today.
Monday 10:
I went to school today and got cept after school
Tuesday 11:
I went to school today
Wednesday 12:
I went to school today and John Bion in jail and Mary came back today
Thursday 13:
I went to school today
Friday 14:
I went to school today and have got to speels my piese Monday because
I did not speels it.
Saturday 15:
I staid at home at home today and played with Bertha.
Sunday 16:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 17:
I went to school today
Tuesday 18:
I went to school today
Wednesday 19:
I went to school today
Thursday 20:
I went to school today and did not get kept after school
Friday 21:
I went to school today and we had enemation.
Saturday 22:
I did not go to school to day because there was non and we sliked up
our play room
Sunday 23:
I did not go to church but I went to sunday school today and Mrs Kelsey
died
Monday 24:
I went to school today and got kept after school because I did not have
my lesson
Tuesday 25:
I went to school today
Wednesday 26:
I went to school today
Thursday 27:
I went to school today
Friday 28:
I went to school today and they had spelling & Mr. And Mrs Potter
was ther.
Saturday 29:
There was no school today and I staid at home and played with Bertha.
Sunday 30:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 31:
I went to school today
April
Tuesday 1:
I went to school today
Wednesday 2:
I went to school today
Thursday 3:
I went to school today
Friday 4:
I went to school today
Saturday 5:
There was no school today and I spent my time at home with Bertha
Sunday 6:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 7:
I went to school today
Tuesday 8:
I went to school to day and we got our report for last month
Wednesday 9:
I went to school today
Thursday 10:
I went to school today
Friday 11:
There was no school today so I staid at home and played with Bertha.
Saturday 12:
Mama and Papa went over to the farm and brought Mary Clemons home with
them.
Sunday 13:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 14:
I went to school today
Tuesday 15:
I went to school today
Wednesday 16:
I went to scool today and Mr Mathers and Mr Mericle was to scool today
and got home at 25 min to 7 tonight because we were [___]a clicing.
Thursday 17:
I went to school today and Mary Clemons is here
Friday 18:
I went to school today and Ma is not well
Saturday 19:
There was no school today and pa went over to the farm and took Mary
Clemons
Sunday 20:
I went to church and Sunday school today and Ma did not go because she
was sick
Monday 21:
I went to school today
Tuesday 22:
I went to school today
Wednesday 23
I went to school today
Thursday 24:
I went to school today and we are to have examanation this after noon
and tomorrow fore noon by Miss Minor.
Friday 25:
I went to school to day and today is the last day of school.
Saturday 26:
Now school is over I have a good time to play and I have four months
vacation.
Sunday 27:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 28:
We are clean house today and we have cleaned our bedroom and Lymans
bedroom.
Tuesday 29:
There is no school and we are cleaning the dinging room
Wednesday 30:
There is no school and I play with Bertha
May
Thursday 1:
Today is may day and they are to have a festival this eve and Pa and
I went over to the farm
Friday 2:
Today I bought Bertha a ball for her birthday tomorrow and sold six
flour saclss for a penny a piece
Saturday 3
To day is Berthas birthday and I gave her a ball
Sunday 4:
I went to church and Sunday school to day
Monday 5:
Today is the first day of court and uncle ran is here
Tuesday 6:
Today is the second day of court
Wednesday 7:
Today the grand walking at 2 P.M. and ends at sat. at 11 P.M.
Thursday 8:
The walkers are still walking
Friday 9:
To day I went to the walking match
Saturday 10:
We all went to the farm today and to night at 11ocl the walking match
ends
Sunday 11:
I went to church and Sunday school today and my thachers name is Sam
[___ll]
Monday 12:
To day Bertha commenced going to school and I comenced [___] the cows
Tuesday 13:
Bertha went to school to day and it seems lonely with out her
Wednesday 14:
Bertha went to school today
Thursday 15:
Bertha went to school today
Friday 16:
Bertha went to school today
Saturday 17:
There was no school for Bertha to go to and so she plaid
Sunday 18:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 19:
Bertha went to school today
Tuesday 20:
Today Pa started for the penitentiary and having in charge John Malloy
and Edwin Miers
Wednesday 21:
To day Bertha did not go to school
Thursday 22:
Bertha has given up going to school entirely
Friday 23:
Today pa came home and Mrs Parmar and her two children cam hear
Saturday 24:
Charley Parmar and I and Bertha plaid to day
Sunday 25:
I went to church and Sunday school
Monday 26:
We went up to the poor house this after noon
Tuesday 27:
Today Charley Parmar went over to the farm with Lyman and Pa went away
Wednesday 28:
Today we went to grandmas and took Mrs Parmar and her two children home
Thursday 29:
We came back from grandmas to day and I drove all the way back almost
Friday 30:
Today is Decoration day and there was quite a large Percession
Saturday 31:
To day is cleaning day and Louisa is cleaning and Mrs Bailey called
hear and I played crocquet until after dark today
June
Sunday 1:
I went to Sunday school today and my name was on the rool of honor
for the month of May
Monday 2:
Today is washing day and Ma and Louisa are and we got another man in
jail
Tuesday 3:
This morning I got a dozen tomato plants up to Dr Shearers
Wednesday 4:
This evening I got a dish of ice cream and a dish of strawberries.
Thursday 5:
Today Bertha and I plaid
Friday 6:
Today Bertha and Pa and I went to the farm
Saturday 7:
Today is cleaning day and Louisa is and pa put up our swing
Sunday 8:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 9:
Today is washing day and ma is washing
Tuesday 10:
Today ma and Mrs Miller and pa went over to the Sunday school corrention
but pa is coming back
Wednesday 11:
Today Pa and Bertha and I went after Ma and Mrs Miller
Thursday 12
Today is circus day but did not go
Friday 13:
[___] Mrs Jackabs was hear to dinner and pa went away.
Saturday 14:
Today is cleaning day and Louisa is cleaning and I went up to the
church and helped Mrs Miller clean the lamps.
Sunday 15:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 16:
Today is washing day and ma is washing.
Tuesday 17:
Bertha and I went a gooseburying to day and got a two quart pail mose
fill.
Wednesday 18:
Today Bertha and I and Nellie and fred went a goosburrying up in __a_ous
Thursday 19:
Today Louisa and Bertha and I went a goosburring
Friday 20:
Today we went a fishing and took Mrs Miller and got a fish.
Saturday 21:
Today is cleaning day
Sunday 22:
Today I went to church and Sunday school
Monday 23:
Today is washing day
Tuesday 24:
It is quite warm today
Wednesday 25:
Today it is quite warm
Thursday 26:
I played with Bertha today
Friday 27:
Today I played with Bertha
Saturday 28
It rained today
Sunday 29
I went to church and Sunday school today and it rained
Monday 30:
Today is washing day
July
Tuesday 1:
Today is the first of July and the fire crackers are being fired.
Wednesday 2
They are also being fired today
Thursday 3:
Today they are making ice cream at our house
Friday 4:
Today is the fourth and the baptists had a festival and [cem__] elliot
and I had a lemon aid stand
Saturday 5:
The fire crackers are being fired to day
Sunday 6:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 7:
Today is washing day
Tuesday 8:
Pa went to Philadelphia to day after a prisoner
Wednesday 9:
We expect pa home tomorrow
Thursday 10:
Pa came home at eleven oclock to night
Friday 11:
I played with Bertha today
Saturday 12:
Today is cleaning day and they are cleaning
Sunday 13
Today I went to church and Sunday school
Monday 14
Today is washing day and pa and I went to grandmas
Tuesday 15
Today Elder Reynolds and his crew went to pine creek and pa and I came
home
Wednesday 16
Today I plaid with Bertha
Thursday 17
Elder Reynolds is away yet
Friday 18:
I played with Biff today
Saturday 19:
Today is cleaning day and Louisa cleaned. We all went to Bloss to
day to Mr Thomas funral
Sunday 20:
I went to church and Sunday school today and Mr Jacobs preached
Monday 21:
Today is washing day
Tuesday 22:
I played with Bertha today
Wednesday 23:
Elder Reynolds has not come back
Thursday 24:
We expect Elder Reynolds home to preach next Sunday.
Friday 25:
Elder Reynolds came home this evening
Saturday 26:
Today is cleaning day and Louisa is cleaning
Sunday 27:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 28:
Today is washing day and Louisa is washing
Tuesday 29:
Today I plaid with Bertha
Wednesday 30:
School will comence the first of Sept.
Thursday 31:
Today is the last day of July and in a month more school will comence
August
Friday 1:
Tonight ma and pa went up to Mrs Trulls and we got a letter from Jane
Goodspeed and it says she is going to be married.
Saturday 2:
Today is cleaning day and Louisa is cleaning and ma set up to Mr Trulls
tonight
Sunday 3:
I went to church and Sunday school and Mr Boise preached and pa set
up to Mr Trulls
Monday 4:
Today is washing day and Louisa is washing
Tuesday 5:
I plaid with Bertha today
Wednesday 6:
I played with Bertha today
Thursday 7:
We are to have a big circus here Saturday
Friday 8:
Today Pa and I went to a sail near the Block_house and Mary and her
brother came over. And Mr Trull died
Saturday 9:
Today there was a circus in town and I went
Sunday 10:
I went to church and Sunday school
Monday 11:
Today is washing day and Louisa is washing
Tuesday 12:
I played with Biff today
Wednesday 13:
I played with Bertha to day
Thursday 14:
I played with Bertha to day
Friday 15:
I went to teachers meating wit ma.
Saturday 16:
Today is cleaning day and Louisa is cleaning
Sunday 17:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 18:
Today is washing day and ma is washing
Tuesday 19:
I plaid with Bertha
Wednesday 20:
I played with Bertha
Thursday 21:
Today we went to over to Jane Goodspeeds wedding and brought her and
her husband home with us
Friday 22:
Tonight we went to teachers meating
Saturday 23:
Jane and her husband went home today
Sunday 24:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 25:
Today is the first day of court
Tuesday 26:
I played with Bertha today
Wednesday 27:
Next Monday school comences
Thursday 28:
I plaid with Bertha today
Friday 29:
I went to teachers meating toniht and Elder Reynolds found some bones
in a well 8 feet deep
Saturday 30:
Today is cleaning day and Louisa is a clean
Sunday 31:
I went to church and Sunday school today
September
Monday 1:
Today school began and I went
Tuesday 2:
Today I went to school and my teacher is Mrs Farre__
Wednesday 3:
I went to school today
Thursday 4:
I went to school and stayed out in the after noon to see firemens parade
Friday 5:
I went to school to day
Saturday 6:
There was no school today I stayed at home and today is my birthday.
And Dan Briad had hit Lyman tonight and cut his head in 4 places.
Sunday 7:
I went to church and Sunday school today and Lyman is some better today
Monday 8:
I went to school today
Tuesday 9:
This morning pa started to Philadelphia with Dan Broad head and Mr
Drill and Mr Wiliams went with him and I went to school today.
Wednesday 10:
I went to school today and last night we got a letter from pa and
today we got a telegram from him.
Thursday 11:
I went to school today and had to stand on the floor and stay after
school.
Friday 12:
I went to school today and pa came home from Philadelphia to day
Saturday 13:
Today is caucas day and they had it in the court house
Sunday 14:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 15:
I went to school today
Tuesday 16:
I went to school today
Wednesday 17:
I went to school today and Dr. Bason and Mrs Dean were there.
Thursday 18:
Today I went to school
Friday 19:
I went to school today
Saturday 20:
I went over after grandma with pa today
Sunday 21:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 22:
I went to school today and grandma is here yet
Tuesday 23:
I went to school today and we marched out to the gate tonight
Wednesday 24:
I went to school today. Today is the first day of fair
Thursday 25:
Grandma came on the noon train today and I went to school and we were
dismissed at 3 o’clock
Friday 26:
I did not go to school today and I went to fair. And today is the last
day of fair
Saturday 27:
Today we tools [___] [___] and [grand__] as far [___] [___]
Sunday 28:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 29:
I went to school today
Tuesday 30:
I went to school today
October
Wednesday 1:
Today is the first day of the fair at Mansfield
Thursday 2:
Today we went to the fair at Mansfield and had a good time. Saw grandpa
Friday 3:
I went to school today
Saturday 4:
Today I played with Bertha
Sunday 5:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 6:
I went to school today
Tuesday 7:
I went to school today
Wednesday 8:
I went to school today
Thursday 9:
I went to school today
Friday 10:
Mr Walter taught in our room today
Saturday 11:
I staid at home today
Sunday 12:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 13:
I went to school today
Tuesday 14:
I went to school today
Wednesday 15:
I went to school today
Thursday 16:
I went to school today
Friday 17:
Today we had spealing in school
Saturday 18:
I plaid with Bertha today
Sunday 19:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 20:
Today I went to school and Mrs Shirer died today
Tuesday 21
I went to school today
Wednesday 22:
Today Mrs Shirer was burried
Thursday 23:
I went to school today and Lyman and Mr Strait killed the pig. Frank
W. and I went down to Mrs E.
Friday 24:
I went to school today and we had examination today
Saturday 25:
I played with Bertha today
Sunday 26:
I went to church and Sunday school and in the evening Frank Willard
and I spoke a ___
Monday 27:
I went to school today
Tuesday 28:
I went to school today
Wednesday 29:
I went to school today
Thursday 30:
I went to school today
Friday 31
I went to school today and we had spealing
November
Saturday 1:
I played with Bertha today
Sunday 2:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 3:
I went to school today
Tuesday 4:
I went to school today and election was held today and the ladies
of the B. church had a dinner
Wednesday 5:
I went to school today
Thursday 6:
I went to school today
Friday 7:
I went to school today
Saturday 8:
I played with Bertha today
Sunday 9:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 10:
I went to school today
Tuesday 11:
I went to school today
Wednesday 12:
I went to school today
Thursday 13:
I went to school today
Friday 14:
I went to school today and we had speeling
Saturday 15:
I played with Duff
Sunday 16:
I went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 17:
I went to school
Tuesday 18:
Today I went to school
Wednesday 19:
I went to school today
Thursday 20:
I went to school today
Friday 21:
I went to school today and we had examination
Saturday 22:
I played with Bertha today
Sunday 23:
Went to church at the Me church today and to Baptist Sunday school
Monday 24:
I went to school today and it is the first day of [___]
Tuesday 25:
I went to school and Miss Shirer told us about Washington city
Wednesday 26:
I went to school today
Thursday 27:
Today there is no school and I went yo the thanks giving sermon and
to Mrs Eastmans to dinner
Friday 28:
No school to day and I went to court
Saturday 29:
I attended court today
Sunday 30:
I went to church and Sunday school today
December
Monday 1
I went to school today
Tuesday 2:
I went to school today
Wednesday 3:
I went to school today
Thursday 4:
I went to school today
Friday 5:
I went to school today
Saturday 6:
I staid at home today
Sunday 7:
I went to church and Sunday school
Monday 8:
I went to school this morning and went to Philadelphia with pa and ma
Tuesday 9:
Today we got to Philadelphia and went to the pen and the sentenial
Wednesday 10:
Today we went to the Independants hall and to Mr Jacobs
Thursday 11
We went to the Zoological gardens and it rained then pa and I went
to the publications building
Friday 12:
Today we stated for home and reached Elmira
Saturday 13:
We reached home this noon
Sunday 14:
I went to church and Sunday school
Monday 15:
I went to school today
Tuesday 16:
I went to school and we had some examination
Wednesday 17:
I went to school today
Thursday 18:
We had some examination
Friday 19:
I spoke a piece today after today we have 3 weeks vacation
Saturday 20:
I played with Bertha today
Sunday 21:
Went to church and Sunday school today
Monday 22:
No school today and I played with Bertha
Tuesday 23:
I played with Bertha today
Wednesday 24:
Today every body is firing for Christmas which is tomorrow and Elder
Reynolds things are being moved in the [___ar].
Thursday 25:
Today is christmas and we had a basket with presants in
Friday 26:
Tonight we had a surprise party with 83 attendants
Saturday 27:
I played with Bertha today
Sunday 28:
I went to church and Sunday school today and we had $100 worth of books
Monday 29:
We are moving out of jail today we have moved all but the dining room
and Lymans bedroom
Tuesday 30:
Today we moved the rest of our furniture and are setteling
Wednesday 31:
Louisa is going away today and her mother is coming
Memoranda
Name, age, time
Inter Depart.
Subject.
Work
Houston Walker
Height at the age of 14; 102 ½. Measure at the
same age; - 5ft 5 ¾ in.
Sept 6, 1882
[]
Transcribed in September of 2002
By: Wendell R. Evans
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Bradford County PA
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Chemung County NY
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Tioga County PA
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Published On Tri-Counties Site On 09/22/2005
Copyright By Joyce M. Tice & Wendell Evans
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