• Things always seem to be going good, and then all of a sudden, I’m in a whirlwind of troubles. Sometimes I don’t even understand why. It just sort of happens to me.
    Your probably wondering about me, well my name is Faith Garrisson age 16, and I want to tell you all about me. You see my Pa left about six months ago to go to California to find Gold so that we can have more money for our farm. Mom hasn’t heard a word except for the news that we received today, and it’s not good. Ma heard that my Pa is dead. He died on his way to California. We don’t know what to believe, but we are praying that my Pa is ok. I don’t know what I would do without him. I am the oldest of eight. After me is Travis who is 15; the twins Grace and Charles are 12; Daisy who is 7; Charity who is 4; James who is 2; and then Edward who is the youngest, the last of my family, is two months old. We have a good life here. Ma has become friends with the Governor’s wife, and she makes all of the pretty dresses for the ladies. We live in Illinois about a day’s trip from Chicago.
    Ma has told me that the Governor’s wife, Mrs. Harrington is moving with her husband to Oregon. I am not looking forward to this because I like Mrs. Harrington, but Ma said that it won’t be so bad. Mrs. Harrington would like for me to go with her. I am not looking forward to this, but I know that it is a good opportunity for me. I will be her companion and helper along the way. I am excited to do this because I have never been someone’s companion or helper. Ma says that I am also going to be getting paid for this. I am so excited. I was given some money before had to get me proper clothes and supplies for the long trip to Oregon. Ma made sure I bought this diary. She wanted me to write about my trip. I was so excited when we found you diary. Ma even got me enough ink to hopefully last me the whole trip. I was surprised. We don’t have a lot of extra money and for mom to be able to buy me some ink, it was a big deal.
    I met with Mrs. Harrington after going shopping with mom. She liked the things that I had bought. Mrs. Harrington also told me a lot about our plans. He husband will be leaving tomorrow to head out first to Oregon. We will follow in three days time. I have found out that every day that I am with them; I will get paid to help Mrs. Harrington. I will save this money, so that Ma and the others can move out with me. I have also learned that Travis will be going with us. He will be taking care of the dairy cow, the horses that they are bringing, and the one dog that is coming along. I was surprised, but I love Travis to death. We are close as siblings, and it will be fun to have someone to talk to on the way there. I am also excited because Mrs. Harrington says that we will also be going with other people on this trip. There are about fifteen covered wagons heading out with us, and there will be other people who might need help. Mrs. Harrington also said that one wagon has seven children in it, and she also told me that I will be helping them out as well since that wagon holds her daughter and her grandchildren. I don’t know any more than that, but I will be meeting with Mrs. Harrington, her daughter, and her grandchildren tomorrow. It is late, and my candle is getting low. I have decided that I am going to name you Mimi.
    I met Mrs. Harrington’s daughter Susanna today after Mr. Harrington left. She is an incredible woman. Her husband died a year ago from disease. She has had a hard time raising her family. Her children are quite nice, but they are so young. The oldest, Emily is only 9. Matthew and Josiah, the twins, are 7. Natalie Rose is 5. Next are Andrew and Charity who are both 3. Lastly, is little Grace who is only 1. Susan has told me that Emily is a big help to her, but she has a hard time with all of them by herself. She is also bringing with her the housemaid Esther. I was surprised when I saw Esther her skin is dark. She is black, and it was strange. My family condemns slavery, but Susanna explained to me that Esther is paid for everything that she does. I have learned also about what my duties are with Susan. I am to watch the younger ones while we are stopped. Susanna especially wants me to look after Grace, Charity, and Andrew as they are the youngest, and she is afraid they might get sick on the way. Mrs. Harrington has instructed me that while I am not watching the children, I am to help her out when I can. I am excited to know that Travis will be with me, and he too will help out with the children especially the boys. I was also told that I am to help teach the two older girls all about their household duties. Ma has bought me thread and some patches of fabric so that I have something to sew on my free time, and I can also teach the girls how to sew.
    Travis and I are getting all of our things together and packed up. Ma has been a big help, and she surprised me again today. I have been given a dog that can travel with me. Mrs. Harrington loved the idea of us having a younger dog coming with us. Her dog is older, and she is not sure if she wants to take him, but she cannot let herself part with him. I found out today that we are taking three wagons. Mrs. Harrington and Cookie, her maid will ride first, Susanna and the five oldest kids will be in the next one that the family friend Mr. Sanders will drive, and Travis will drive the last one with me and the three youngest as well as Susanna’s maid Natalie. Natalie is my age, but she is also colored. I was excited to know that someone my age besides Travis is going with us.