This diary was written in 1923 by Emily Murdock, a widow who lived in Garland, Maine. Murdock's husband died in 1885 and lost five adult children in the 1890s. She wrote about her daily life, which included crocheting baby booties professionally at home.

Emily Jane Foskett Murdock was born on April 24, 1844 in Phillipston, Massachusetts. She was the daughter of Elbridge Foskett (1815 – 1885) and Thankful Carpenter Foskett (1815 – 1899). Emily had one sibling, an older brother named Elmer C. Foskett (1837 – 1926).

On December 30, 1865 Emily married farmer Henry Murdock (1839 – 1885). The couple had six children; Percy Russell Murdock (1869 – 1893), Willis Murdock (1871 – 1896), Harry E. Murdock (1873 – 1895), Grace Emily Murdock Moore (1875 – 1904), Blanche Murdock (1878 – 1896), and Arthur Murdock (1879 – 1897). Only one of Emily and Henry’s children ever had children of their own. Grace was the mother to Marjorie Blanche Moore (1901 – 1974) and Percy Willis Moore (1903 – 1912).

Emily Murdock died on September 1, 1929. She was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Garland, Maine.

This diary was written in 1923 by Emily Murdock, a widow who lived in Garland, Maine. Murdock's husband died in 1885 and she lost all six of her adult children in a period of eleven years, as well as a grandson just a few years after the loss of his mother. Emily occasionally mentions the loss of her children, remembering them in her diary on their birthdays, and writes often about her granddaughter, Marjorie. She wrote about her daily life, which included crocheting baby booties professionally at home. Emily describes local community events, like an outbreak of Scarlet Fever, as well as the weather and visits with friends.