Born in Milford, New Hampshire, 18-year-old Eliza Ann Dutton keeps a diary during 1868. What a year it was She goes to the train station to see arrivals. She receives proposals of marriage. She writes love letters. She goes dancing. Young men kiss her. She meets her future husband. She borrows books from the free library. She sews, knits, dyes, and braids rugs. She writes poetry, plays the Melodeon, and enjoys singing.