Box 1

This brief travel journal describes Isaac and Emma's trip to Saratoga, and other parts of New York State. On August 28th, they want to climb Mount Washington, but sign up too late.

Emma talks extensively about her household duties, and details the costs of all her purchases. In September 1868, Emma fires the cook, who refuses to leave until she gets a full month's pay. Louisa, Isaac's daughter from a previous marriage, gets married. It is also during this period that Isaac and Emma begin attending a new Meeting.

From April to June 1874 the Halls travelled to California by train, stopping regularly, but most notably in Chicago, Salt Lake City, and California (Oakland, San Francisco, etc.) Emma describes her surroundings, the trains, and the friends they have met. When travelling through the West Emma writes briefly about indigenous people and Chinese Americans.

Much of the 1877 diary refers to trips taken that summer to the Adirondacks, Saratoga, etc. Emma keeps a record of social engagements, both for herself and her family, and regularly clips the marriages, births, and deaths which are notable for her from the newspaper. The family regularly attends meeting and other sermons.

Throughout the diary Emma writes about social outings with her children, lectures, and other notable events. She also writes about the various vacations the family takes to Saratoga and Fire Island. Clippings include funerals and marriages, as well as any notices about Emma or the Halls generally.

This diary discusses the comings and goings of Emma and her daughter Alice in the later half of 1887 through 1888. They regularly attend meeting, lectures, parties, weddings, etc. Emma adds clippings for notable events, deaths, and marriages.

Between April and May 1896, Emma and Samuel travel to South Dakota and Denver with ex-Governor of PA Robert Pattison by train. Emma recounts the train travel as well as visits to mining towns, forts, and the Black Hills. For the rest of 1896 and part of 1897, Emma recounts daily life in Philadelphia as well as their second home in Hatsboro, PA.

Emma and Samuel visit Europe, travelling throughout Italy, Austria-Hungary, Vienna, Paris, London, Norway (and the Arctic Circle), and finally Stockholm and Copenhagen. Emma is detailed in her entries, writing about religious relics, ancient sites, and the travel itself.

Emma describes her daily routines and her young children, Alice and Charles. In March 1868, Charles is born. In August of that year, they travel by boat to Salem. In September, Emma recounts two of her servants leaving, having to find replacements, and subsequent challenges. During this period, they attend Meeting regularly, including while they are in Salem.