In 1987 the diaries of William Souder Hemsing were published to help commemorate the 100th anniversary of Souderton. I have chosen some of the
entries Will wrote concerning his mother, Mary H. Souder Hemsing. Mary was the 4th of 10 children of Henry O. Souder, the Father of Souderton. We can
gather that family was important, as Mary appeared to spend much time with her parents, siblings and their spouses. Henry, Fred, Ed, and Ellis were brothers.
Katie Souder and Uriah were grown children of her brother William. A sister was Kate Slifer. Will also gives us a small glimpse into the life of the Souderton
housewife of the 1880’s. Unfortunately no diaries were found or weren’t written between 1889 and 1901 but we know that Mary had been in poor health for quite some time and actually died 3 days after her father in August of 1897.
Diaries of William Souder Hemsing dated:
Tuesday March 3, 1885
Mother does not feel at all well today. She has for some time past not been well as could be wished.
Tuesday, April 7, 1885
Henry Souder’s moved to Quakertown today. Grandmother, Mrs. Ed, Mrs. Fred, Mrs. Ellis Aunt Kate, mother and Katie Souder all went along up. Ellis took a load up with their team…Mother says the children are highly delighted with their new home. Lillie especially could hardly wait till the train came to take them off.
Wednesday, June 3, 1885
I mowed the yard this afternoon after the scythe had been sharpened by father…Mother declared she could beat me were she stronger.
Thursday, September 10, 1885
Mother made ketchup.
Wednesday, September 30, 1885
We had a kind of quilting today. Two comforts were turned out complete. At four o’clock it was all over. Grandmother Mrs Fred Ed. and Ellis, Cousin Kate Souder and Annie Gernhardt Becker’s girl.
Friday, October 16, 1885
Mother was boiling soap this afternoon.
Sunday, January 24, 1886
…Mother scolds awful long when she begins.
Tuesday, March 9, 1886
Mother is again abed sick. She is undergoing a course of treatment from the doctors. Grandmother comes down almost every afternoon to help pass the time.
Wednesday, March 24, 1886
Mother is making comforts and quilts. And tomorrow what is called as a quilting is to come off.
Thursday March 25, 1886
The quilting party came off today. Grandmother, Mrs. Fred, Cousin Kate and Miss Landis were here and made a quilt and comfort for my bed.
Tuesday, March 30, 1886
Mother is very anxious that I should not go away from home. She will never let me do so.
Tuesday, April 6, 1886
Mother is out of patience with the cat who she suspects has killed a robin. I found it my duty to defend poor pussy on natural grounds, innocence. But mother says the second offence will be punishable by death.
Wednesday, July 7, 1886
The doctor advised mother today to take a trip for her health.
Tuesday, November 9, 1886
Mother went to town with the doctor this afternoon. They did not see Dr. Fox as he was away. So she stays till Thursday at Slifer’s.
Wednesday, November 10, 1886
Got a letter from Uriah today saying that mother was staying at Slifer’s till tomorrow or Friday and that she was pretty tired when she came there yesterday afternoon.
Thursday, November 11, 1886
Mother came home this evening. She saw Dr. Fox today. Loux did not get there today. She did not get her glasses. She will have to go down again in three weeks.
Thursday, December 30, 1886
Mother came home with the five o’clock train. She staid at Hunsbergers today and last night. They will come up on New Year’s. Mother will have to go down again in about four weeks about glasses. I found myself be the fortunate one. For she brought me just the pocketbook I wanted alligator skin, a match case and above all a silk umbrella with a gilt head.
Saturday, February 12, 1887
Mother got her spectacles today.
Friday, March 4, 1887
Mother wanted me to take her to the carpet weavers but this afternoon when I came home I found that Sam had taken her.
Saturday, August 6, 1887
Mother went along up with grandfathers to Quakertown. They have a baby up there. Father handed me a letter from Jennie. Mother wanted to know why we were continually writing.
Thursday, October 13, 1887
Gave mother to understand that I liked her and so but did not tell her we were engaged. (Jennie)
Thursday, November 24, 1887
Then when I wanted to put on my old coat a mouse jumped out of it. I closed the door and window and told mother who said the mouse must be captured dead or alive. We went at it and when the mouse ran across the floor I saw mother dance for the first time. She got on the bed then till mousy was dead.
Wednesday, January 25, 1888
Mother found out about Dialogues from Dickens. She wanted to know what it was for. She does not want me to play on the stage. She says it is not proper. I told her with all deference to parental authority that I ought to be old enough to judge for myself.
Wednesday, May 23, 1888
Varnished part of the range this evening. Mother had done some of it.
Souderton Independent dated:
9/3/1897
Mary, wife of Henry F. Hemsing, and daughter of Henry O. Souder, died on Tuesday forenoon, August 31st aged 54 years. Deceased was in delicate health for a number of years, and suffered considerably. She however bore her affliction like a true Christian woman and was loved by her neighbors and friends. The immediate cause of her death was nervous spasms causing brain fever. She leaves a husband and one son to mourn her departure. The funeral will be held from her late residence on Main St., on Monday, September 6th, at 10:00 a.m. Interment will be made at the Souderton Mennonite Meetinghouse.
53-9-24
1/28/1898
The following persons were buried in the Souderton Mennonite Burial Grounds during the year 1897: August 31 Mary Hemsing, aged 53 years, 9 months, and 27 days.
