At Home in Battle Creek

Incidental references which occasionally occur in the records indicate that the White home was a cheerful, happy place, although stirring with activity. The first building of their own was a six-room frame cottage located on Wood Street at the western edge of Battle Creek. At the back was the garden and barn, and they had their own cow. They drew their water from the well which served the community. On a back corner of their land was a wooded spot providing a secluded place for prayer.EGWMR 103.5

Since Mrs. White’s time was much taken up with writing, preaching, and traveling, it was necessary to employ responsible domestic help; yet she did not surrender her position as manager of the household affairs, as mother and hostess. Her diaries reveal that during her time at home and while traveling, a large part of many days was devoted to writing, yet other activities were not neglected. When sewing was receiving special attention, we find her from day to day making “a pair of pants,” preparing “a coat for Edson,” and making “a mattress for the lounge,” or working “hard all day on a dress to wear through the mud.” (Diary, March 25, 28; April 26, 1859.)EGWMR 103.6

This particular year the gardening season was inaugurated with the setting out of a “currant bush” late in March. It turned out to be “a cold, blustering day,” and after fitting out departing guests with loaned “cloak, mittens and necktie to protect them,” she jotted in her diary, “In the new earth there are no chilling winds, no disagreeable changes. The atmosphere is ever right and healthy.” (Diary, March 24, 1859.)EGWMR 103.7

In succeeding weeks, currant and raspberry bushes and strawberry plants were all set out. One entire day was devoted to “making a garden for my children,” as she wished “to make home ... the pleasantest place of any to them.” (Diary, April 11, 1859.) Plants were secured from the neighbors, and exchanges of plants and roots are recorded. (Diary, April 11-13, 1859.)EGWMR 103.8

Then there was the buying to be done. Shopping trips to town were made, not only to supply the family needs, but at times to assist neighbors in the selection of merchandise, for Ellen White was known to be a good buyer.EGWMR 103.9

One day she went downtown to buy some goods with which to make a pair of trousers. She asked Mr. Skinner, the proprietor of one of the dry-goods stores, to show her a piece of all-wool material. He threw down a bolt of goods on the counter and told Mrs. White he had just received it, and he believed it was what she was looking for.EGWMR 103.10

“Is it all wool?” she asked Mr. Skinner.EGWMR 103.11

“Oh, yes, Mrs. White, one hundred per cent wool,” he assured her.EGWMR 103.12

Without thinking, her hand felt for the raveled edge and she found a loose thread. She pulled it out, untwisted its strands, and discovered some cotton. Holding it up, she inquired:EGWMR 103.13

“Is this wool. Mr. Skinner?” Much embarrassed, he admitted it was not, and then told Mrs. White that he had bought it for all wool.EGWMR 103.14

This shows Mrs. White’s knowledge of textiles, and her familiarity with the practical things of life. Her mother was a very sensible, practical woman, and had trained her girls well.EGWMR 104.1