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Ethel and Nina Newton kept 2 daily diaries about their life in a farm in Amanda, Ohio, in 1900 and 1901. The sisters primarily wrote about their daily activities, which included farm work, housework, and attendance at school. They occasionally commented on holidays and political events.

Sisters Ethel and Nina Newton kept 2 daily diaries about their life on a farm in Amanda, Ohio, in 1900 and 1901. Their entries pertain to their daily activities, which included farm work, housework, and attendance at school.

Ethel and Nina filled one composition book each: Ethel wrote from February 28, 1900-August 7, 1900 (103 pages) and Nina wrote from August 25, 1900-April 4, 1901. The girls recounted their daily activities at home, on the farm, and in school. They mentioned the farm work of their father and other laborers, who tended to potatoes, corn,, other crops, and livestock. Their mother cooked, sewed, and did other household work, sometimes assisted by the girls. Nina frequently documented the names of the books and magazines she and the other members of the family read. Both girls attended school, did homework, and went to Sunday school. The diaries include occasional mentions of newsworthy events, such as the census-taker's visit (June 2, 1900), a local girl's death (June 16, 1900), and Washington's birthday (February 22, 1901). Nina commented on her father's intention to vote for William McKinley and celebrated the Republicans' local and national victories (November 6, 1900-November 7, 1900). On several holidays, including Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day, she enclosed or copied dinner menus.