The Diary of Lavinia May Almerodin, a Strong and Independent Women of the 1770's

1775 April 17

Dear Diary,

        Today was another humdrum day. I got up this morning to the sound of little children crying for their mothers in the cold streets of Boston, made my bed, awoke the children from their sleep, and then bathed them. As I was doing the laundry this morning I noticed that Mr. Hall, my master,  was having a cryptic conversation with his wife, Jane. I began to lend an ear closely as I over heard the mention of lanterns, a gathering of horses, and two men's names that I once heard of. The names were Sam Adams, and John Hancock. I ponderd what this talk could have been about.
        My friend Mary, a slave for a family nearby, is still sick and is getting worse each day. She has a disease called tuberculosis, and so far there is not yet a cure. I think that she is the most ill person that I ever did know. Sometimes I wonder what I would do without her, but most of the time the children are helping me to come up with ideas to help Mary feel better.  I have been friends with Mary for 18 years. We have known each other since we were two. We both lived in Africa together and we taken from Africa and sold as slaves in Boston, but to different owners. We still talk with each other and sometimes have the same day off to go for short walks together. She is older then me by seven days and will probably not make it to see her next birthday. People like Mary and I cannot celebrate our birthdays because our owners will not allow us.
        My parents were also captured and brought to America but I was separated from them when I was 13 and I have not spoken to them since. I still have a solid memory of them. I remember when my mother used to say that I would grow up to be just like her-that I would have long beautiful dark hair, a husband that would love me dearly, and that I would be very strong and independent. How I miss her so. I wish I could hold her in my arms for hours and tell her how much I love her.

     Love Always,

    Lavinia



1775 April 19

Dear Diary,
    Yesterday was a very unordinary day. The weather was the same, somewhat warm, except for the fact that it rained for about 3 hours straight. You could hear the rain tapping at the window, and it sounded like a lost kitten looking for help. I just had put the children to bed when I heard someone yelling my name. As I went to peer out my window I saw Mary's face. It was glowing in the moonlight. She was paler than a ghost. She had trouble speaking and I felt like I was filling up with tears. As I was having a conversation with Mary through the window I saw a glow. When I turned to look, I saw two lanterns in the tower of the North Church. I figured that it had something to do with what Robert and Jane were talking about a few days ago. Finally, I told Mary of the mystifying talk that I had heard days before. Mary had told me that she also heard her owner, Joseph Andrews, speaking of lanterns. I realized that it was for sure what Jane and Robert were talking about. The lanterns in the towers had been a signal or a light to guide or to warn somebody about something. It was a little bit before midnight when the lanterns were hung. I had wondered if anyone else in the town had seen the lanterns in the tower.
    I think that everything happens for a reason in life. I think that God has chosen for Mary not to die yet because she needs to be here to protect me or to warn me about something. Also, I think that the lanterns were hung in the towers because someone needed a light to guide them. Sometimes I realize that my life is pretty tough, but I am willing to make it through the good times and the bad.
    My master is not pleased with the fact that the British think that they can control Massachusetts. I personally think that the British are a destruction to our nation.  Every night am praying that my life will one day turn around.
Love Always
Lavinia



1775 April 22

Dear Diary,
    This morning was very busy. Mr.Hall had visitors coming over all day talking about the lanterns again. But this time I heard another name mentioned. Someone named Paul Revere had ridden out to Lexington and Concord a few nights ago with two other men. The men's names were very common-Samuel Prescott and William Dawes. Mr. Hall and his visitors were speaking in a demanding form, and seemed very determined. I then began to feed the children when I overheard something even more tragic. Alas, Paul Revere had been captured, but only for a couple of hours. Over and over again I  heard endless conversations that involved this unrecognized man. I didn't know what to think of this so called Paul Revere. At one point I thought that he could have been a helpful man. The conversation that Jane and Robert had a few days ago made me think of the two men's names-Dawes and Prescott and also made me think that this Paul Revere could be involved with it somehow.
    I mentioned to Mr. Hall that I saw two lanterns in the church tower.  Mr. Hall has been asking me questions about this. I always say the same thing, that I only saw two lanterns while I was "looking" out the window. He repeatedly asked me if I had seen anybody that night that looked suspicious. I had told him that the only person that I had seen that night was Mary, and she looked sicker than a dying man on a cold winter's night. Sometimes I think that he didn't believe me because he looked at me like I was up to something.
    I also heard my master having a conversation of Paul Revere last night for about 3 hours with his wife. He mentioned of Paul Revere's life. While I was listening to the conversation I heard that Paul Revere had 16 children. His first wife Sarah had died after her eighth child. Then he got married to Rachel. The conversation showed that he admired this man.
    This morning Mary died. She fell onto the floor and then died. Nobody knew she had died until her owner had gone into the kitchen and had seen her lying on the floor. Once her owner saw her he immediately came over to the Hall's house and invited me over to see her. I couldn't bare to see her in the condition that she was in. Her ceremony will be soon.  We will sing songs in memory of her.  I will miss her terribly.      

 Love Always,
Lavinia