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Cynthia M. Buss of Oneida, Ohio, kept this pre-printed "The Union" daily diary from January 1 to December 31, 1858. Between the ages of 15 and 16, she kept brief notes on the weather, visits, dancing, games, picnics, sleigh rides, time spent with friends, school and singing school, studying, church and Sunday school, evening lyceum events, visiting lecturers, camp meetings, birthdays, cleaning, and ironing. She also wrote letters and compositions, and remarked on her siblings' activities.

Cynthia M. Buss of Oneida, Ohio, kept this pre-printed "The Union" daily diary from January 1 to December 31, 1858. Between the ages of 15 and 16, she kept notes on the weather, visits, dancing, games, picnics, sleigh rides, time spent with friends, school and singing school, studying, church and Sunday school, evening lyceum events, visiting lecturers, camp meetings, birthdays, cleaning, and ironing. She also wrote letters and compositions, and remarked on her siblings' activities. Between May 29 and July 8, she traveled to Pittsburgh to spend time with her aunt and uncle. In August, she suffered from a swollen face accompanied by significant pain. Frequently mentioned surnames include Totten, Wright, Hall, Clark, Fishel, Eakin, and Daniel.

Out of the ordinary entries include those on a phrenological lecture (January 18), an exhibition on magnetism and electricity by James Eakin (February 13), taffy pulling (March 10), a yearly meeting of "nearly four thousand people" at Minerva (August 5), quilting (October 1, November 3), trying but failing to see the Comet Donati (October 9), a visit to the fair (October 14), "making up my new French Merino" (November 16), and dipping 68 pounds of candles (November 20).

Cynthia Buss recorded letters sent and received in the "cash account" section at the back of the diary.