Horace Purdy Journal February 1866 Entry
12pgs
FEB 01 THURSDAY - Pleasant with the exception of a short snow squall in the middle of the day after which it was a little colder. Before breakfast, Theo Bradley came over, having been sent by his mother to tell me to ask Mr. Crofut if he would give her work at hat trimming. I did not see Mr. Crofut, but spoke with Rollo Nichols (his son-in-law and partner) about it. He thought it doubtful as they did not have work enough for their own trimmers at the present time. I shall wait and hear further from Mr. Crofut about it. George took the horse away before I came from work and intends to use him tonight and return him tomorrow morning. He told Gussie that he was going to Beaver Brook. I went to market in the evening. When I returned Gussie went over to John Brayman’s. I sent 80 cents by her to give to John for getting the horse shod last Tuesday. FEB 02 FRIDAY - Pleasant but colder than yesterday. George, who had the horse last night to go to Beaver Brook to an oyster supplier at a friend’s house, drove it down as he went to the shop. We walked down together as we went to work. He stopped at Crofut’s and ordered a cart of feed for the horse which came before night. As I came from work, I took a letter from the Office from Aaron Mallett of West Redding. He wants to change the investment of his money and wants me to take up the note on the 1st of April. When I got home, I found Ellen and Josephine Dare at the house. The came on the freight train, stayed to tea, and spent the evening. We had a pleasant time. They came intending to go to meeting in the evening, but as there was to be no preaching but a speaking or general class meeting, they did not go. I harnessed Jim and took them home about 9 o’clock. I returned about 10 ½ o’clock. FEB 03 SATURDAY - Pleasant. As I went to work in the morning, I called at the Savings Bank and made an application for a loan. I finished off my yesterday’s work at noon, gave my checks to James Sparks to draw my pay and then came home, ate some dinner, borrowed Charles Stevens’ saddle and rode Old Jim down to Redding to see Mr. Aaron Mallett about the $1,100 for which he holds my note and wants the money April 1st. Gussie went to market in the evening while I stayed home. John Brayman came over and helped me alter Mother Griswold’s cat. FEB 04 SUNDAY - Pleasant (or rather clear) but cold. George came for the horse as usual on Sunday morning to go to Bethel for the chorister, Mr. Lockwood. Gussie attended church in the morning and I in the P.M. Brother Hill preached in the afternoon to the Sunday School children. After supper, I wrote to Carlton & Porter for another copy of the Sunday School Advocate for nine months from January to October. Also for two dozen Lesson Books, Nos. 1 and 2, a dozen of each. Before evening meeting, John Brayman came in and stayed a while. Gussie went to evening meeting. I stayed home with the baby. George had George Starr’s carriage to go to Bethel with the chorister after evening preaching. FEB 05 MONDAY - Very cold last night and today. As I went to work this morning, I called at the Savings Bank to see Mr. Jabine a moment in regard to the money I want to borrow from the bank. I, at the same time, ordered a 1/2 barrel of flour of Charles H. Crofut. It was sent to the house before night. I borrowed a hat at the shop for Mr. Pond to wear while I make his old one over new. After supper, I took the trimmings out and washed it after which I went downtown for a lamp wick. FEB 06 TUESDAY - Pleasant and cold but a little warmer than yesterday. As I went to work this morning, I went to the Pahquioque Bank and made arrangements for renewing the note of Mr. Crofut’s upon I got money for George when he went into the sifter business. I took Mr. Pond’s hat (which I washed last evening) to the shop with me to make over into a Spring Brim. In blacking it over, it tore, so I brought another hat and got it up in the place of it. I took it over to him in the evening. He was highly pleased with it and gave me a half dollar more than I asked for it. When George came from work, He took Jim and rode over to see Theo Morris who is very sick with lung fever. I went to market in the evening and brought home 2 lbs. of smelt. I then went over to see John Brayman about going to Newtown tomorrow with sifters for George, but he expects to have work in the factory and cannot go. FEB 07 WEDNESDAY - Very cold this morning. After dinner, it became cloudy and in the evening began to snow. John Brayman went over to Newtown with some sifters for George today, but Mr. Johnson, the merchant, did not want any thought he had previously ordered them. John then went on to Sandy Hook and left a ½ dozen at George Beers’ on commission. He came home by way of Bethel and sold two to Mr. Dare. I went to market in the evening and talked to O. H. Swift about buying my horse. The Sunday School papers and three dozen Lesson Books which I ordered came today. Harriet Wheeler had a note from Mr. Wanzer today saying that he would take her place at $2,800 . John Brush had his wedding last night. Mrs. Bradley came in about 9 ½ o’clock this evening to see further about getting work at Mr. Crofut’s. FEB 08 THURSDAY - The snow last night turned to rain and this morning everything was covered in ice. Feeling about tired out from the hard work of the last two days (Heavy Jack wps. full stiffed, badly blocked), I did not go to work but harnessed the horse and drove down and tried to sell him to Swift & Day but did not succeed. I rode up home and took Harriet in and carried her up to Samuel Purdy’s, waited for the mail and came home. I went to the shop before night to see Mr. Crofut about giving Widow Burr Bradley work, but he was in New York. I came around home by her house to tell her. Mr. Cocking paid me $3 for the last month’s rent. I wrote for George to Mr. Beers in Sandy Hook in the evening about sifters. Bought a valentine to send to a shop mate (William Hutchings). George came in before evening meeting time and I gave him the $2.00 John Brayman took in yesterday for sifters. FEB 09 FRIDAY - I woke this morning and found about 4 inches of snow on the ground and still snowing. It stopped snowing, however, about 10 o’clock, but remained cloudy and warm all day. As I went to work, I called at Brother Hill’s to inquire about a Newtown man who had money to let. He said he was going to Newtown before night and would see if the money could be procured for me. He did so and sent word by George from evening meeting that I could get $300 between now and April 1st. I have had much anxious feeling today about my financial affairs, but the way seems to be opening for me and a good prospect of clearing up matters for the present. FEB 10 SATURDAY - Warm, cloudy and misty all day. I worked until noon, then went to the Pahquioque Bank and paid $100 on a note of $350 given by Henry Crofut for me to raise money on for George. Mr. Crofut gave me a new note of $250 which I got renewed. I then called on Brother Hill about money matters with Walter Northrup of Newtown. He offered to let me have the money if Mr. Northrup could not. I borrowed Seth Down’s sleigh and rode over to Newtown and saw Mr. Northrup. He thought he could let me have the whole $1,100, would let me know in a week or two. I started about 2 o’clock and arrive home again about 7. I went and returned by way of Bethel. While down to market in the evening, I saw Nathan Benedict and engaged some hay of him providing he could get someone to draw it to me. The new locomotive came up this morning. FEB 11 SUNDAY - It cleared off warm this morning. George had Seth Down’s sleigh (which I kept over last night) to go to Bethel with for Mr. Lockwood this morning. Before night the roads were all mud and he was obliged to take him home on wheels. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went to Sunday School at which Fanny was presented with a splendid album with pictures of Sunday School scholars. Communion in the P.M. which I attended. Quite a number were baptized, including Charles Fowler and daughter. I had a hard headache in the P.M. and did not go out. Gussie also stayed home in the evening on account of the mud. I wrote to Carlton and Porter ordering a copy of the Sunday School Advocate for 9 months ending October 1st for Fanny Parson of the infant class. I sent it to the office by George. Gussie wrote to Edwin in the evening in reply to one to me. FEB 12 MONDAY - Warm and hard rain all day. The snow is nearly all gone. The stream continued to rise near the shop until night with which the floating ice swept away one of the foot bridges crossing the stream where it crosses to go over to Seeley’s Fur Factory. As I went to work in the morning I mailed the letter I wrote before breakfast to Walter Northrup. In Newtown informing him that if necessary to make out the $1,100. Mr. Hill will pay him the $300 he owes him. I mailed also one for Gussie to Edwin. Gussie received one today from Cousin Eliza in California. On account of the mud and rain, I did not go out in the evening; besides, I did not feel able to go. I was taken with a faint falling before I left the shop and could hardly get home. It was after 8 o’clock before I felt better. Before retiring, I wrote to Mr. Mallett in West Redding concerning taking up my note and mortgage. Feb 13 Tuesday - I woke and found it clear and pleasant this morning. As I went to work I mailed the letter which I wrote last night to Mr. Mallett. As I came home from work, I bought some fresh herring. Brother Woodruff is in town and will preach for us tonight. Gussie went to hear him and I stayed with the baby. As she went, she mailed for me a valentine to William Hutching. The new locomotive which the Danbury & Norwalk Railroad Company has been buying was steamed up and run out this P.M. for a trial trip down the track a distance and return. After evening meeting, Mrs. Bradley called to see if anything had been done towards getting her a situation at Mr. Crofut’s at trimming hats. FEB 14 WEDNESDAY - St. Valentine’s Day. Before breakfast, I rode up home to George about getting hay from Nathan Benedict. We finally arranged to have Father and John Brayman take the horse in the P.M. and with Mr. Benedict’s wagon, get a load, which they did, notwithstanding the rain. The morning was pleasant but before noon it commenced snowing, which before long turned to rain and continued raining more or less during the P.M. and in the evening steady and quite hard. George ordered 3 bushels of oats as he went to working the morning which were delivered. As he came home at night, he rode Old Jim up home and back again as he came into the street in the evening. There was less than a ¼ ton of the hay brought today. FEB 15 THURSDAY - Pleasant and cool in the morning and grew colder all day. Severely cold this evening. John Brayman’s mother-in-law, Mrs. Weed came over this morning while we were at breakfast and brought home two of my new shirts which Gussie gave them to finish off and took home with her a pair of sheets to make. I worked as long as I could see in the shop before coming home to tea. I came home by way of Raymond’s and bought some smelt. Stopped at Swift’s and got a package of Sunday School papers. John came over and after tea, I went to market with him. I made arrangements with Benedict & Nichols for credit for about 2 months in order to save my cash income for the present to pay my interest money on or before April 1st. I took out a pass book and bought a ham and had it entered for the first item. Called at Charles Hull’s to see about the weight of hay yesterday ( which was weighed on his scales); then went over to the church to hear Father Griswold preach, but he had just finished his sermon and a prayer meeting had commenced. FEB 16 FRIDAY - Pleasant but very cold. Before breakfast, I mounted Old Jim and rode over to Nathan Benedict’s to speak for another small load of hay to make out the ½ ton I had arranged and also to try and borrow a hay cutter. I worked as long as I could see in the shop tonight. As I came home, I took a letter from the Office from Mr. Mallett of Redding in answer to one I wrote him about taking up my note and mortgage perhaps before April 1st. He is willing to give up the papers at any time I am ready to take them up, provided I will allow him the interest up to April 1st. After tea, I went up and talked with Father Griswold about changing the mortgage on my place, etc. I then went down to meeting just as it was closing and saw Brother Hill about my trip to Newtown for money, etc.; also gave him a package of Missionary Advocates which came to his address in with a pack of Sunday School papers to me. I wrote a reply to Mr. Mallett before retiring, saying that I would allow him interest up to April 1st. FEB 17 SATURDAY - Very cold last night and this morning. The day, however, has been beautiful and the cold diminished during the day so that it is now much warmer than last night at the same time. As I went to work this morning, I mailed the letter I wrote last night to Aaron Mallett in Redding. Gussie bought a new dress and apron for one of John Brayman’s children to pay for sewing done by his wife. John came over and went into the street with me in the evening. I lent him 50 cents. FEB 18 SUNDAY - Warmer and pleasant in the morning, but it was cloudy in the P.M. with a little rain. George went to Bethel as usual this morning for Mr. Lockwood. Gussie attended church in the morning. Mr. Breckinridge of Bethel preached. Brother Hill exchanged with him. I went down to Sunday School and to prayer meeting in the P.M. which was held in the audience room in place of preaching. Several young ladies were forward for prayers. After sup, I wrote to Carlton & Porter to know why 2 copies of Sunday School Advocates which I ordered did not come. George borrowed George Starr’s carriage in the P.M. to take Mr. Lockwood home with him to tea and to go to Bethel with after preaching this evening. About 3 o’clock, George came for the doctor (Bennett), Mother being very sick with inflammation of the bowels. She was taken last Friday. George rode down and I rode up home with him and stayed until meeting time when I rode down with him again as he and Mr. Lockwood went to church. Having a severe headache, I stayed at home and retire early. Gussie wrote to Cousin Eliza in the evening. FEB 19 MONDAY - It rained hard all last night and more or less during the day. The streams were swollen nearly as high as on last Monday. As I went to work this morning, I mailed Gussie’s letter to Eliza in California. I also called at the Savings Bank and told Mr. Jabine that I should probably not want the money I spoke to him about -$800. I also left word on Dr. Bulkeley’s slate to call and see mother Griswold. Evelyn Morton, a boy about 14 years old who worked at our shop as an errand boy, etc. died this morning after a short illness; it terminated, I believe in brain fever. Georgie is sick with a severe cold. We fear inflammation of the lungs. After tea, I went to market and the borrowed Charles Stevens’ saddle and rode Old Jim up home to see Mother who is very sick. FEB 20 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warm. Gussie sat up last night until after midnight to give medicine to the baby who is sick with a heavy cold. He is hoarse and coughs badly. We fear lung fever. He also has symptoms of croup. He appears quite lively, however, this morning. Mother is no better today. The last of the drab hats at the shop was finished up today and I went on Black Hats, the first in a long time. George carried a sifter to E.E. Wildman's in the evening. I went into the street in a hurry this evening in order that Gussie could go over to John Brayman’s for a baby party. FEB 21 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. Gussie came home after midnight last night, the baby which was an 11 lb. boy, being born about 11 o’clock. After supper, I borrowed Charles Stevens’ saddle and rode downtown with a pair of Gussie’s shoes to be mended, to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper, then to Charles Hull’s to see if he would trade a hay cutter for some flour sifters, and up home to see Mother. I think she appears better today though she is very sick yet. FEB 22 THURSDAY - Washington’s Birthday. I ran up the Stars and Stripes on Father Griswold’s house this morning. We also had one flying from the flagstaff at the factory until the staff broke (it had been exposed to the weather since April, 1861). The day has been lovely and warm, the wind blowing from the south. As I came from work, I stopped at Charles Reed’s and got Gussie’s shoes which I left there last evening for repairs. I also called at the news office and got a package of Sunday School Advocates from Carlton & Porter. Mother remains about the same, very sick. The day has been pretty generally observed as a holiday by the merchants in particular as many of them have closed their stores. I was intending to go into the street in the evening, but just before starting, the baby was taken with a severe turn of coughing and vomiting and while holding him Eleanor and Josephine Dare with Joseph Dunning and Mr. Lawrence came in and spent the evening. I cracked walnuts, had apples and cider, and enjoyed the visit much. I went up to Mother Griswold’s for the cider and there no one drank it but myself. It was about 11 ½ o’clock when we retired. FEB 23 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm. John Brayman came over this morning while I was feeding the horse and wanted to take him sometime during the day to go to Bethel, but did not go, finally. I worked a usual in the shop. I went down to the Post Office in the evening but it closed just before I reached there. Fanny brought a note from Brother Hill in the evening. He had heard from Mr. Northrup in Newtown, stating that he had concluded not to lend me the money I spoke with him about. Gussie went down to see Dr. Bulkeley today about the baby’s cough and got some medicine for the same. Fanny brought me a note in the evening from Brother Hill stating that Mr. Northrup could not let me have the $1,100 I expected from him. Before retiring, I wrote a note in answer to Brother Hill, also one to Mr. Jabine stating that I would take the $800 offered by the Savings Bank. When I came home from work, I found the horse gone and was not returned dup to time of retiring. FEB 24 SATURDAY - Stormy, a warm rain. As I went to work this morning, I mailed the note to Mr. William Jabine. I met Brother Hill as I was entering the Post Office and on that account did not mail the one I wrote to him. I left the shop earlier than usual. I went over to the foul shop to see George, but he was not there. Called at the Savings Bank and arranged with Mr. Jabine about the $800. I am to have it on the 1st of March. I borrowed Charles Hull’s hay cutter when I got home and George with myself cut up pile of hay and then retuned it. George stayed to tea, and in the evening, He ruled the Sunday School Librarian’s book and drew up the classes anew while I went to market. When I returned, we marked of the Sunday School Advocates to be distributed in the School tomorrow. Rained very hard all evening. FEB 25 SUNDAY - Pleasant this morning; the surface of the ground a little frozen. It thawed during the day. Grew colder towards night. George went to Bethel as usual for the chorister this morning. Gussie attended church in the forenoon. I went down to Sunday School at noon and stayed to prayer meeting in the P.M. which was in the audience room. Mr. W. T. Gilbert preached for Brother Hill this morning. Had a talk at noon with Mrs. Holmes, Female Supt. about Charles Stevens, Jr. taking my place as Secretary/Treasurer of the school another year. We concluded, judging from his past life, that he would not be a reliable person for the position. After supper, I went over to John Brayman’s a few moments to see their new baby, it being my first visit since its birth. When I returned, Gussie went over. George brought down a picture of Mollie Clark, his army correspondent from West Chazy, New York with whom he is corresponding under the assumed name of Willie Franklin. With it he brought her letters for me to read. Neither of them has ever seen each other. She wrote to him while in the army in answer to an advertisement for a lady correspondent. I went to church in the evening. W. T. Gilbert preached. Quite a number went forward for prayers; among them were Saul Bailey and Caroline Hull. FEB 26 MONDAY - A very cold morning. As I went to work, I mailed a letter for Gussie to Josephine Dare. We were stinted in our shop work today, had only one dozen. I came home before night and harnessed Old Jim before Seth Down’s sleigh (which has been in the barn since I went to Newtown on the 10th to see about money from Walter Northrup) and drew it home on bare ground. I saw Seth at his barn and arranged with him to use his saddle occasionally when I have need of it. From there I went to McDonald’s shop and had two of Jim’s shoes tightened. Martha Case from Essex came on the morning train to Father Griswold’s. After tea, I borrowed Seth’s saddle and rode down to the Post Office and then up home to see Mother. I mended a hold back strap to the harness. Bought a second hand hay cutter of Charles Hull for $10. I got trusted for it to pay when I could. FEB 27 TUESDAY - I woke and found it snowing, which it continued to do until just at night. I borrowed last night Seth Downs’ wrench with which to turn the axle nuts on the wagon to grease it which George did today and brought the hay cutter I bought last evening from Charles Hull’s barn. The cart of feed which he engaged yesterday came today. We had a full day’s work in the shop today, but tomorrow the shop will be closed ion account of a Baptist Church fast which they intend to observe on account of the great revival of religion and the great work being wrought in their church. Mr. Crofut, being one of the deacons, he will close his factory. After tea, I borrowed Seth Down’s saddle again and rode down to the Post Office and up home to see Mother. She is no better. She now has an idea that she is going to die with this sickness. She is fearful that when she is gone, Father will sell of the furniture, bed and bedding, while she wants us children to have it. George Parmalee told me today that I would have to fill his place as assistant librarian in Sunday School as he is going next week to Bridgeport as salesman in a dry goods store. Gussie received a picture of Martha Lord this evening in a letter from Corydon to Harriet. FEB 28 WEDNESDAY - The Baptists have a day of fasting and prayer on account of the religious interest felt in the community; many are being converted in both the Baptist and our own church. Mr. Crofut closed his factory on that account and in consequence thereof we have had no work. Brother Hill rode up to see me early this morning to say that his mother had money from the sale of her homestead which she would like to invest and wants me to take the whole amount- $1,100 of her. I went down to see the Savings bank men to give up the claim I had on the money applied for. It made no difference to them so I agreed with Brother Hill to take the whole amount from his mother. I got some waxed ends, some pieces of leather and then came home and mended it and washed the harness with George’s assistance. After dinner, I harnessed Jim and took Martha Case, Harriet Wheeler and Gussie to the cemetery. Wrote to Mallett saying that I should probably not want to take up the mortgage until April 1st. I went to meeting in the evening. After meeting, I went over to Clark Beers to send by him to New York for 10 lbs. of coffee. Mr. Bray preached a prayer meeting after the sermon at which John Bouton, James Kyle and others went forward to the altar. Harriet Mills rose for prayers.
1866-02
Horace Purdy Journal January 1866 Entry
10pgs
JAN 01 MONDAY - Warm, cloudy, misty, but no rain to speak of. The sleighing is entirely used up. The baby, who was quite sick yesterday and who had the doctor, is better today. Talked with an agent of the “Aetna” at the shop about life insurance. After tea, I went into the street to see if I could exchange a syringe at Dr. Baldwin’s where I bought it for another as mine has a defect about it; it leaks air. I could not exchange it. I called to see Dr. Bulkeley at his office about Georgie. I bought a box of figs for $1.25 – 4 ¾ lbs. – and then came home. Gussie cut out 4 shirts for me today. JAN 02 TUESDAY - The ground was a little frozen this morning. It thawed a little, notwithstanding it was cloudy all day. I worked all day in the shop as usual. On my way to work this morning, I ordered a cart of feed for the horse at Crofut’s. Ellen Dare from Bethel was up and took dinner with Gussie. Maria and Caroline Mills were up also. They gave Gussie a call and then went up to Mother’s. As I came home from work in the P.M., I paid 50 cents for six months box rent ending July 1, 1866. Annual Meeting of the Hat Finishers’ Association in the evening. Election of officers. The old officers were elected as follows: for President: Victor W. Benedict; Vice-president: Abram Chichester; Secretary: William Withespoon; Treasurer: Calvin R. Dunning. JAN 03 WEDNESDAY - A light fall of snow last night. Father took the horse and carried Mrs. William Nab to Bethel and got a dollar for it. Bell is very sick again with lung fever. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. I stayed with the baby in the evening to let Gussie go into the street to do some shopping. A one armed man at the shop today soliciting help; I gave him 10 cents. JAN 04 THURSDAY - Pleasant and colder in the after part of the day. After tea, I jumped on Old Jim and rode up home to see Bell. From there, I rode down to market. When I came home, I found John Brayman waiting to see me about moving the remains of John, William and Abagail from the Mill Plain Burying Ground to our lot in the cemetery. George has been calculating to do it tomorrow, but Father and I think it best to defer it until next spring. I arranged with John to get the horse’s shoes reset tomorrow. When George came down to go to meeting, He brought us two chickens from Mother. JAN 05 FRIDAY - Very cold. As I went for milk in the morning, I called at John Brayman’s to see if he would take the horse over to McDonald’s and get one of his shoes reset. I found him still in bed with a terrible headache, having had it all night. George came for a piece of corned beef and rode Jim up home and lost off the shoe, so he went and had it put on again. On my way home from work, I took a bill out from the post office from Joseph Ives for a lamp top – 20 cents, I bought October 12th. I having once paid for it, I went in the evening and had it rectified. After tea, I took Old Jim and rode into the street to see Ives. Bought 3 oranges for 15 cents for bell and rode up home with them to see her. After evening meeting, George called and I went up to Father Griswold’s for a pitcher of cider. JAN 06 SATURDAY - Pleasant and a very little warmer than yesterday. I worked as usual in the shop. It being pay day, I drew $30.62. Gussie went up to see Bell this P.M. After tea, Gussie went into the street to do a little shopping. When she returned, I borrowed Charles Stevens’ saddle and rode Jim up home. I rode back into the street and bought the best beefsteak I could as the Doctor had ordered a little for her. The two Dr. Bennetts went to see her just at night and gave but little encouragement. If she gets over the fever, they think it will leave her with the consumption. JAN 07 SUNDAY - I woke and found that it had been and still was snowing, about 3 inches. – the 7th snowstorm. It cleared off before meeting time. Cold and blustering, a severe day to be out. Gussie attended church in the morning. I went down at noon to Sunday School; came home without going in the P.M. George came home with me and stayed to supper. After supper, he harnessed Old Jim, took George Starr’s carriage and went to Bethel for the Presiding Elder, Mead and Mr. Lockwood, our chorister and brought them up to church. As he started for Bethel, Gussie and I rode up home with him and stayed until he returned when he came for us and carried us home. Bell is very sick; she will probably never get well. We left Georgie with Mother Griswold while we were gone. I made out a quarterly report of the Sunday School for Brother Hill to give the Presiding Elder at Quarterly Conference this evening. I sent by George as neither Gussie nor I went out in the evening. JAN 08 MONDAY - Very, very cold. The mercury stood as low as 20 degrees below zero. I was sick last night (a bowel complaint), have felt poorly today and in consequence have not been to work. We kept both stoves going with a good fire all of last night and thereby kept the house comfortable. Brother Hill called to see me about 4 P.M. about the Methodist which I had talked about subscribing for. I concluded to take it and paid him $2.00 for it. He prayed with us before he left. He went with me to the barn to see the horse. From there, he went over to see Allen McDonald and I to borrow Charles Stevens’ saddle to ride up home to see Bell. I went down and bought a ½ pint of Madeira wine for bell with which to make wine whey. I then came back and went to McDonald’s for some milk and carried up home to Mother. While there, George too Jim and rode downtown on an errand. When he returned, I came home. While up there I gave Mother $2.00 which Fanny gave me from the church poor fund. Louise came down and spent the evening with us. About 8 o’clock the chimney to the north apartment of Gregory’s tenement house on the corner (formerly L. Nichols’ old Hat Shop) took fire and quite an excitement prevailed for a short time. There were reports that a large fire was raging in New Haven and no water to be had on account of the cold, all the hydrants being frozen up. Bell is a little more comfortable today. JAN 09 TUESDAY - Very cold but not so cold as yesterday. Was sick again last night and nearly all of today with diarrhea caused by eating chicken pie. After dinner, I made a cover for my guns. In the meantime, John Brayman’s wife came in and Gussie went with her over to one of Gregory’s houses to look at it with a view to renting it next April. Between 3 and 4 o’clock, I rode Old Jim down to the shop and then up home to see Bell. One of his shoes came off and I went down to Center Street and had them all reset and sharpened. It cost $1.00. While we were drinking tea, Mary Purdy called a few minutes to inquire about Bell. I went to market in the evening. JAN 10 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and mild. I went to the shop today for the first time this week. George called at the shop after dinner and told me that Bell was worse. Gussie went up to see her in the afternoon. After tea, Gussie went over to Mrs. Hurd’s and borrowed a bed pan. I rode Jim down to market and then took the pan and carried it up home. Bell thought oysters would taste good so I rode back into the street and bought ½ peck for her. She is more easy this evening. She is now taking opium pills which accounts for it. JAN 11 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm. Before I went to work in the morning, Sarah Purdy called in to inquire about Bell. As I came home from work in the evening, I went to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper. After tea, I addled Jim and went to market and then up home to see Bell. Mother broke a lamp chimney, so I rode back into the street and got a new one for her. They moved Bell from the bedroom into the parlor today. Sarah Purdy went up and helped Mother today and then came again in the evening to watch with Bell for the night, she being the first to watch outside of the family. She is no better. Dr. Bennett thinks that the chances are against her. JAN 12 THURSDAY - But little sunshine today. A snow squall in the morning. John Brayman had the horse this forenoon to got to Bethel to see some of the Hat Makers about Henry Heinman’s case as the men at T. & E Tweedy’s have turned out against him as an apprentice.; as he went he took his wife and Gussie to see Bell and brought them home again as he returned. Father then carried Amos Purdy’s wife up to sit by Bell in the P.M. Before tea, George rode up to Russell Wildman’s and engaged Lucy to watch. After meeting he took the horse and went for her. He is to keep the horse up there tonight. Mary Purdy came in as we were drinking tea, after which, she and Gussie went up home again to see Bell. Hanson E. Smith got married last night. George had his time given him today at foul hat finishing. Robert Cocking paid his December rent to Gussie today - $3.00. Since writing the above, George has concluded to return the horse tonight. JAN 13 SATURDAY - Warm and pleasant with the exception of a short splatter or rain between 4 and 5 o’clock in the P.M. which came up sudden and was as soon over. John Brush and John Green paid me $1.50 each for sifters to be handed to George, which I did in the evening. I tried to buy some oranges for Bell as I came home from work, but could find none in town. George came in about 9 o’clock to get the team and carry Mrs. Amos Purdy up home to watch with Bell. When he returned with the horse we mended the harness and nailed up a small box on the manger for salt for the horse. JAN 14 SUNDAY - A very little snow about 6 ½ o’clock this morning, not enough to whiten the ground. George at that time came down for the horse to take Mrs. Purdy home from watching with Bell last night. I rode back home with him and returned with the horse to let him eat before going to Bethel for our chorister, Mr. Lockwood, as he agreed to go for him. He borrowed Brother McDonald’s carriage to go with. Gussie, as usual, attended church in the morning. And I went down to Sunday School and to the afternoon service which was the sacrament. There were two ladies baptized. George carried Mr. Lockwood home again in the P.M. John Brayman called in the evening. Gussie went to 1st church in the evening to a lecture on temperance by Rev. Mr. VanZant. JAN 15 MONDAY - Pleasant, but cold this morning. The mercury stood at zero in the morning. It clouded over in the P.M. with the appearance of a storm when I retired. I went before the “Board of Relief” before going to work in the morning and swore off the eleven hundred dollars I owe Aaron Mallet in Redding. On my way, I stopped and ordered 3 bushels of oats at Crofut’s and paid for the same - $2.25. In the evening, I ordered 1o lbs. of buckwheat flour and paid for that also – 60 cents. In the evening, I rode the horse to market and up home to see Bell. While there, Joseph W. Allen and Brother Everett called in company with Ann Delavan who came to watch with Bell. George borrowed Mr. Judd’s hay cutter and cut up a heap of hay. While driving in the yard with it, the limb of a tree under which he was passing caught the cutter and turned it out with the seat together with George. Fortunately, neither he was hurt or the cutter broken. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. JAN 16 TUESDAY - It was snowing when we woke this morning, making the 8th snowstorm. It was about 4 ½ inches deep. It soon ceased snowing; it cleared off pleasant in the P.M. George came over before breakfast for the horse with which to carry Mrs. Delavan home. The oats which I ordered came yesterday; also the buckwheat cake flour. Louise came down and stayed with the baby in the evening to let Gussie and I go to hear Frederick Douglass lecture. It is the first time I ever heard or saw the man. It was 10 o’clock when we got home. JAN 17 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and not very cold. I worked as usual in the shop. After tea, I borrowed Mr. McDonald’s sleigh and with the horse, I took my first sleigh ride by taking Gussie up home to see Bell. I went down to the church and when meeting was out took Fanny over to Dr. Brown’s and got the bundles of work belonging to the Sewing Society and brought them to Father Griswold’s where the Society will meet on Friday P.M. I then took Fanny up home to watch with Bell tonight and then brought Gussie home. After going home with the sleigh and putting up the horse, I mended the harness bridle (one of the blinds). Before retiring, I drew up a bill of prices for the shop, it being the one adopted November 14th and went into effect on the 20th., the same being a deduction of 2 % (?) per dozen on all qualities except No. 5. JAN 18 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm. The sleighing is used up. I worked in the shop as usual. After tea, I took the horse up home to see Bell. She is better. From there I rode down to the Post Office and home. Before retiring, I went to Father Griswold’s for a small pitcher of cider with which a few walnuts was very good. JAN 19 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm. The Sewing Society met at Father Griswold’s this P.M. and when I came from work, Gussie and Georgie were up there, so I went there for tea. George, having another order for sifters from Johnson in Newtown, I repaired the wagon where he broke it with a hay cutter in order that it could be used tomorrow. When I had finished repairs, we harnessed and went to the stores and borrowed 6 sifters to send to Mr. Johnson towards the dozen he ordered until George receives some next week when he will fill the balance of the order. JAN 20 SATURDAY - Cloudy, foggy and warm all day until about 5 o’clock when it rained for a time. It came off clear and colder in the evening. I worked as usual in the shop. Father went over to Newtown for George to take sifters to Mr. Johnson. He went as I started for work in the morning. I rode into Main Street with him. In the evening, I carried Sunday School papers down to the church to be ready for distribution tomorrow. I did a little marketing and came home. Before retiring, I drew up Sunday School classes in a new book for one of my assistant librarians (E. Barnum); it took me until midnight. JAN 21 SUNDAY - Pleasant but cold. George went to Bethel this morning for Mr. Lockwood, the chorister, and as he was turning into West Street, his horse fell on the ice. No damage was done. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School at noon, but was too sick with a headache to stay in the P.M. After supper, I was taken with vomiting, which made me feel better in the evening. I stayed at home in the evening and let Gussie go to meeting. George harnessed his horse and drove to church so that the horse would be ready after meeting to carry Mr. Lockwood to Bethel. I wrote to Carleton & Porter for I copy of the Sunday School Advocate and 4 copies of the Sunday School Journal which they failed to send in the last lot. Also a dozen of each No. 1 and No. 2 Catechism for 48 cents and 60 cents per dozen. I enclosed $1.08 for them. Gussie mailed it as she went to evening meeting. JAN 23 MONDAY - Pleasant but cold. George kept the horse up home last night and drove him down as he came to work this morning, bringing as he came the cot bed home to Amos Purdy’s which Bell has been using during her sickness. Had new copper bottoms put on our tea kettles. When I came home from the shop tonight, I had to kindle a fire in the sitting room stove, Gussie having let it burn out for the first time this winter. I did not go out in the evening, but sorted over my apples. JAN 23 TUESDAY - Cold and pleasant in the morning but before night the sun was obscured from sight. I went into the street in the evening to buy a set of bricks for my cooking stove. Gussie put Georgie in the carriage and went over to call on Mrs. Daniel Starr. JAN 24 WEDNESDAY - I worked as usual in the shop. As I came from work I bought 1 ½ lbs. of smelt at Avery Raymond’s, called at the Jeffersonian Office for my paper, got a package of Sunday School Advocates at the News Office, and came home. George quit work early, harnessed the horse and went to the depot for a crate of sifters (2 dozen). I stayed with the baby and let Gussie go into the street in the evening. She brought home some bees wax and before retiring made some grease for Hat Finishers' irons for George. Father was down here today and Gussie got him to take Father Griswold’s hams over to Lockwood Olmstead’s to be smoked. JAN 25 THURSDAY - Three to four inches of snow on the ground this morning and still snowing. It soon stopped, however, but remained cloudy through the day. It rained a little about 5 P.M. I worked as usual in the shop. Bell has been poorly again today. We fear a relapse of the fever. I stayed with the baby in the evening and Gussie went to meeting. We are having meetings every night. The house is crowded and some evenings the altar is filled with those seeking religion. JAN 26 FRIDAY - It snowed a little again last night, making the 10th snow of the season. It has been a pleasant day. I worked as usual in the shop. I received a package by way of Day’s News Office (which I previously ordered) from Carlton & Porter containing 2 dozen Catechisms No. 1 and No. 2, one dozen of each and a late catalog of their publications. After tea, John Brayman came in to have me direct a letter from him to his mother-in-law as he wants her to come and attend his wife which he hourly expects to be confined. I rode Old Jim up home to see Bell. George then mounted him and rode into the street on an errand. I sent by him for some ale for Bell – 2 quarts. JAN 27 SATURDAY - Pleasant. We were limited in our work in the shop today. I finished mine before dinner. In the afternoon, I borrowed Mr. McDonald’s sleigh and took Louisa up home to see Bell. I then carried Gussie and Georgie up there, she not having seen Georgie since she has been sick. After supper, we got Louisa to stay in the evening with the baby and we went to Bethel to Mr. Dare’s for a sleigh ride. We got home again about 10 o’clock. JAN 28 SUNDAY - Pleasant in the morning, but cloudy before night. George had Mr. McDonald’s sleigh this morning to go to Bethel for the chorister, Mr. Lockwood. In fact, I arranged for the sleigh last night and kept it at my barn until George returned this morning when he took it home. Gussie went to church this morning and I to Sunday School at noon as usual and over to the 1st church in the P.M. to the Union Sunday School gathering. After tea, Gussie called over at John Brayman’s and stayed until nearly evening meeting time. Before meeting, George came for the horse with which to take Mr. Lockwood to Bethel after church. He had Mr. McKinsey’s sleigh. When he returns, he is to put the horse in the barn and rive him down in the morning. Gussie stayed at home and I went to church in the evening. Brother Hill preached an excellent sermon. JAN 29 MONDAY - Cloudy all day, but not very cold. Now and then, a flake of snow would be seen flying but no storms of any account. We were stinted in our work in the shop today, but the amount given was enough to last me until night. The seats in the church were rerented today. Gussie and Mrs. Bradley both were there and secured our old seat No. 31 for another year. After supper, I borrowed Charles Steven’s saddle and rode Old Jim down to the market and then up home to see Bell. JAN 30 TUESDAY - Another cloudy day. It commenced a fine rain or mist about 4 P.M. John Brayman had the horse today to go to Bethel. I gave him permission to sell or trade him off under certain conditions but he did not succeed in doing so, I believe. Father Griswold came down just before tea to talk with me about the trouble I am into with George by undersigning for him. Before taking the horse out this morning, John too him over to Mr. McDonald’s and had his shoes sharpened as he was not safe to drive with the roads being very slippery. JAN 31 WEDNESDAY - A beautiful day; not a cloud to be seen and not very cold. I worked as usual in the shop. Gussie went up home to see Bell today. She is better. I stayed home in the evening and did some writing for the Sunday School and let Gussie go to market.
1866-01
Horace Purdy Journal November 1865 Entry
10pgs
11/01 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. Mrs. Stone has been cleaning for Gussie today. Father has been helping Mrs. Stone and cutting up some wood and getting in my vegetables. George went to Redding today for my butter but it was not put down yet. I went to market in the evening. Before retiring, I wrote to Alfred Humphrey in reply to a note saying that he could not provide the flour for us which I spoke to him about. I also wrote to Carleton & Porter and enclosed $2.90 for papers which I ordered last week. I omitted to enclose the money at that time; until now I supposed that I did. 11/02 THURSDAY - Cloudy in the morning and rain in the P.M. As I went to the shop this morning, I carried my gun over to Stevens' Machine Shop to get a new tube put in and some other repairs. In the P.M., I saw Henry Blair's dog, Bird near the shop. I called him in and kept him until I came home from work. As I came out from the shop tonight, Mr. Crofut spoke to me about the $400 note he gave me to raise money on at the bank to assist George in buying the patent rights for his sifters. The note will come due on the 7th. Mrs. Stone finished cleaning house for us today '3 days' work; I paid her $4.00. Alex Pine came for the clothes last night his wife is to wash for us this week. After tea, I took the coffee pot, bread pan, funnel, toy tin pail and small tin cup to the tin shop to be mended. At an auction at the pawnbrokers, I bought a pound of black pepper for 20 cents. I bought 2 quarts of scallops for Mother Griswold and 2.5 pounds of striped bass for myself and came home. 11/03 Friday - Cloudy but no rain. I have felt nearly used up today. I lay down for a nap at the shop at noon. I got tired and stopped about an hour earlier than usual. As I came home from work, I called at A.G. Crosby's Coal Office and reported for not paying for some which I intended to about two weeks ago. I stopped at Charles Hull's for the tin ware I left there for repairs last evening. Before tea, I carried my apples from the woodhouse to the cellar. Just as we finished tea Clark Beers came in with the 5 lbs. of coffee and the 5 lbs. of black tea I have been for a long time expecting. We emptied it in jars and cans and then Clark, John Brayman and myself walked into the street together. Platt Osborne came in on the evening train; he came from Mexico; he has been an army sutler down on the Rio Grande. 11/04 SATURDAY - Stormy. On my way to work in the morning, I carried a high glass fluid lamp to Charles Hull's to be altered over for kerosene. An adjourned Hatters' Meeting at 3 P.M. in the room over Harris' Clothing Store opposite the 1st Church. The meeting was to further consider and take some action relating to Foul Shops and the apprentice rules of the National Trade Association and especially to hear the report of the Committee who were appointed at a previous meeting to wait on the bosses and make some arrangements if possible to prevent more Foul Shops and do away with what at present exist. The meeting was called by the Chairman of the Committee, Abram Chichester as it was left to him to do so as soon as a meeting could be had with the employers. They reported that arrangements could be made with the bosses to give fair men the work and stop giving out more to foul men provided we could supply men enough to do it and also if the Association would give them the privilege to take more apprentices. By doing so we would have to break over a law of the U.S. Association and at the meeting before I left (for I came out before it closed) they appointed a committee to wait on other soft hat finishing associations to see about withdrawing from the U.S. Association and establish one for ourselves for felt hatters. I carried in my tax list. I got some back numbers of Sunday School Advocates and Sunday School Journals which I ordered. Got my lamp at Charles Hulls' and came home. Mr. Hull stuck a knife into his hand while at work on my lamp this morning and this evening I gave him a plaster of Griswold's salve to put on it. 11/05 SUNDAY - Pleasant this morning but cooler. I stayed with Georgie in the morning to let Gussie attend church. She came home at 12 o'clock and I went to Sunday School and Prayer meeting in the afternoon, but having emptied the Infant Class money box, I had between 4 and 5 dollars in pennies to carry home and came home directly after Sunday School without attending the Prayer meeting. George kept his horse up to his house last night; he came back here with it about dusk. A snow squall, the first of the season came about dusk. I was sufficient to white the ground. I went to church in the evening. Brother Hill preached. Before retiring, I wrote to Carleton & Porter concerning the subscribers to the Teachers' Journal in 1864, now the Sunday School Journal. I requested that the paper be sent for the unexpired term of those who took it at that time when it was stopped with 6 months due to subscribers. Gussie wrote to Canton before retiring. 11/06 MONDAY - Pleasant this morning, but colder than before this season. I t froze harder. The snow which fell last evening was on the ground and gave it a wintry appearance but a few hours of sun drove it from sight. John Brayman came from Norwalk on the freight train and was with us to tea. Louise came down and stayed with Georgie to let Gussie go with me into the street. She went to the milliner's with her hat and to Mr. Morse with her furs to be relined. I bought a pair of gloves for myself and we went together to see Dr. Bulkeley about Georgie's cold. Before retiring, I drew up the prices paid in New York for hardening wool hats. John has been to New York at the expense of the hardeners to ascertain the prices for them. (the hardeners at P. Robinson's shop). He wished me to write it up for him. While I was writing this journal, John put up pennies in 25 cent rolls for me. 11/07 TUESDAY - Pleasant. Did not work in the shop in the forenoon on account of having to make a payment on a note in the bank and getting it renewed. The note was one given by Henry Crofut for $400 to assist George to buy the county right for Tilden's Flour Sifters. George being away at the time, I endorsed it for him, so it stood in my name at the bank. George gave me $50 to pay on it and $350 to be renewed which I got done for him. I worked in the shop in the P.M. As I came from work, I came by way of Stevens' Machine Shop and got my gun which he had been repairing, tightening one hammer and forging out a new tube and setting it in. I could not buy one large enough and he in consequence was obliged to make a new one. He charged me $1.00 for the job. Bought 2 yards of material for pants in the evening at Gillette's, carried them to Charles Stevens' to be cut and to be called for tomorrow. The material cost $3.00 per yard. The clerk at Gillette's (Crosby) is to get them made for me. Colder in the evening. While in the street, I let the news dealer (Mr. Day) have $3.00 in pennies; he gave me bills for them. New York and New Jersey state elections today. 11/08 WEDNESDAY - Very cold last night; the frost went into the ground about 4 inches. I loaded and tried my gun this morning to see if it leaked around one of the tubes as before it was repaired. I found it perfectly tight. I worked until about 2 o'clock in the shop and then came home with a hard headache. I brought home the Sunday School Advocates and Sunday School Journals from the news office, also two stove pipe elbows from Charles Hull's which I ordered yesterday. When I got home, I marked off the papers for the Sunday school. John Brayman's boss (Peter Robinson) buried a child today and in consequence the formers' factory has been closed and John out of work. He put up some wood for me in the wood house in the P.M. Wrote to Carleton & Porter with 30 cents enclosed for another copy of the Sunday School Advocate. I not feeling able to go to market, I let John mail my letter and do the marketing. Corydon Lord from Elyria came on the train this evening form Warehouse Point near Hartford. He is a segar manufacturer and is here to buy tobacco. 11/09 THURSDAY - A snow or hail squall this morning about 7 o'clock, after which it was pleasant all day. John forgot to mail my letter last evening and I mailed it as I went to work this morning. Between 3 and 4 o'clock this afternoon, Gussie and Harriet came to the shop with Corydon Lord who wished to go through the factory and see how hats were made. I went through with him and the he waited for me to finish off one hat and part of another when I came home with him. We found Gussie and Harriet who had been in the trimming room waiting for us at the foot of the stairs. The hat which I finished yesterday for John was trimmed, so I brought it home with me. While waiting for tea, Mr. Wright's boy came with 5 gallons of kerosene oil which I engaged yesterday. Alex Pine brought a keg in the evening for us to save our swill in for him. I stayed with the baby in the evening to let Gussie go up to William Scofield's where Harriet Mills boards to get some corers from hat trimmings to send by Corydon Lord to his daughters when he returns home to Elyria. 11/10 FRIDAY - George had a new shoe put on his horse; borrowed $2.00 of me; started on peddling trip in the P.M. to be gone until tomorrow night. I worked as usual in the shop. After tea, Corydon Lord, Fanny and Harriet came in to spend the evening. I went into the street and engaged Beatty's to come for Cousin Corydon and take him to the cars in the morning. John went with me. When we returned Harriet had gone home and Fanny went soon after, leaving Corydon to finish the evening with us. 11/11 SATURDAY - Corydon Lord left this morning on the train. My Birthday. I worked all day in the shop. On my way home from work I got my new pants at Gillette & Fairchild's. I got the material there and they got them made for me. They cost $10.37. Gussie got her furs today which Mr. Morse has been repairing for her. After tea, John and I went into the street together, he to a Hat Makers' and I to a Hat Finishers' Meeting. Ours was to hear a report from a committee (A. Heath and A. Chichester) who had been sent to confer with other Finishers' associations in Bethel, Norwalk, New Jersey and New York relative to calling a meeting of the National Association or cutting loose from it altogether. I left the meeting before its close. Louise stayed with the baby in the evening to let Gussie go and get her new bonnet. 11/12 SUNDAY - Cold in the morning but it moderated before night. George came home last night and kept his horse up there until this morning when he came down with the team. John Brayman stayed with the baby in the forenoon and let Gussie and I go to church together. She came home at noon and I stayed to Sunday School and to Sacrament in the P.M. Mr. Breckenridge from Bethel preached in the morning and Sunday School Prayer Meeting at noon. George came home with me to supper. John went up home with him after supper and Gussie went up to the cemetery with Mrs. Daniel Starr. Philo White, a son of Cyrus White, and the one who has all his life had fits died in one at about one o'clock this afternoon. John not having suitable clothes to attend church, I stayed home and lent him my overcoat and he went to meeting. George's horse is sick; it acts like horse distemper. Before retiring, I drew up a paper soliciting help for Henry Heinman. John is to take it to the shop with him in the morning and put it into the hands of Mr. Squires or some other good man for circulation. 11/13 MONDAY - Pleasant and warmer; Indian Summer weather. A shop call after dinner to hear a proposition from Mr. Crofut. He wants to reduce our wages to 2 (per cent?) on a dozen now that the hurry is over. As the last raise was made in hurried times and he obliged to lose money on account of it. As there was a trade meeting called at 3 P.M. by the journeymen of Mallory's shop on the same question of reducing prices, we deferred final action until tomorrow morning. The shop adjourned at three o'clock to attend the meeting. After the meeting, I bought material the same as my new pants at Gillette's for a new vest. Carried it to Charles Stevens' to be cut. Bought some horse powder at Dr. Baldwin's for George to give to his horse. Mrs. Stone washed for us today; she did the ironing also. I went to Sunday School's teachers' Meeting in the evening. When I returned, I found John Bouton and wife at the house spending the evening. They stayed late. I copied the minutes of the Teachers' Meeting before retiring. John Brayman and I rolled a half barrel of cider in the cellar for Father Griswold before we retired. Mr. Harris brought it just at night. 11/14 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm again today. A shop call at 8 o'clock this morning (it being an adjourned meeting from yesterday. And we accepted Mr. Crofut's proposition of a reduction of 2 (per cent?) per dozen on our bill of prices except on one Quality No. 5. All the employees in town are reducing their prices on account of a slack of trade. By working for little less, we can have work steady. When at our late high prices they will not manufacture without orders and store the goods. I worked as long as I could see in the shop. George carried Gussie and baby up home this P.M. She stayed to tea. I went to market in the evening. 11/15 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and mild. I worked hard in the shop. Father dug up two cherry trees and moved two pear trees in their places for me this afternoon. I sent my boots to the shoemaker's this morning by the errand boy at the shop; he went for them just before I quit work. George went to Norwalk on the afternoon train to help John move tomorrow. After tea, I went to market. I stayed in the street until the mail cam and then came home and went up to Father Griswold's barn and finished putting a lock on George's peddling box which Father commenced just at night but did not finish it. 11/16 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm again today. Father came down early this morning to put another lock on one of the seat boxes to George's peddling box. He started on his first peddling trip about 10 A.M. We expected John Brayman and family up here today as he went down home last night intending to move today but they did not come. I went into the street in the evening and got the Sunday School Journal back numbers which were due old subscribers in 1864 when they stopped for a season publishing them. William B. Davis died today from injuries from being thrown from a wagon. 11/17 FRIDAY - It is still very warm for the season. There were signs of rain in the morning and in fact, it did rain a little at noontime. John Brayman moved from Norwalk today by railroad. George has been helping him. His wife and children took tea over to Aunt Louisa's and John at my house. Gussie and I went over to see how they were getting along after tea. They got the stove put up and a bed so that they could stay overnight. John and I went into the street together to do some marketing in the evening. Father came home from peddling this evening. 11/18 SATURDAY - Another beautiful day. I worked until about 2 o'clock and then came home feeling about tired out. I laid down on the lounge and slept until tea time. Harriet Mills came here to tea from the shop and spent the evening. I went to market in the evening and paid William E. Wright for 5 gallons of kerosene oil - $4.60. Paid Dr. Bulkeley 25 cents for coming to see the baby last week. I got my new vest at Gillette & Fairchild's. 11/19 - Stormy. Gussie attended church in the morning and evening and I in the P.M. A Union Temperance Meeting in the evening at the 1st Church addressed by Col. Smith. After tea, I went over to see John Brayman a few minutes. In the meantime, his wife and Aunt Louisa had gone up to see Anna and my folks on Deer Hill. 11/20 MONDAY - Cloudy all day but no rain. I ordered one cwt. Of horse feed for George's horse and paid for it myself as I went to the shop this morning. George went to Redding to _____ for the pot of butter she has been putting down for me. There were 34 pounds of it at 55 cents for $18.83. I bought a pocket clothes track of George for 80 cents. I paid 50 cents sinking funds money to Fanny in the evening. I sold a roll of salve in the evening to Henry Earl. 11/21 TUESDAY - Stormy all day. Sold two rolls of salve at the shop to Walter Sparks and George Benjamin. I traded one roll with Oscar Serrine for 2 pounds of a new kind of soap. We had strawberries for tea which were kept in Lyman's patent air-tight fruit jars. They were very delicious. Father and George built a rack over the horse manger in which to put hay for the horse to feed on between feeding times. Before tea, I went to Serrine's for the soap. After tea, I went to the barn to see about the horse and as he had been standing in the stable all day, I put on his bridle, mounted him and too a horseback ride up Main Street by lamp light, the first time I ever rode him except to water him. I went to market and brought home some scallops, after which I washed the grease from Mr. Kerrigan's hat. Before retiring, we ate our last pear from my dwarf trees in the garden. 11/22 WEDNESDAY - The sun has tried to shine once or twice today but most of the time it has been cloudy with some rain. Just after tea, about 6 o'clock, it cleared off and the moon and stars shone quite beautifully but it became quite cloudy about 8 o'clock. The hat which I washed last evening to finish over today would not bear blocking over but broke before putting it on the block. After tea, I cleaned off the horse, cleared out the stable and fed him and then went to market. 11/23 THURSDAY - Cloudy all day with the exception of once or twice when the sun shone rather dimly for about 5 minutes. I am nearly sick with a cold. I feel sore and lame; my bones ache. I finished over an old hat for Mr. Kerrigan of the Jeffersonian Office. Carried it to him as I came home from work. I got $1.50 for the job, all trimmed up and in good shape. 11/24 FRIDAY - Pleasant. We having so many hats ahead of the trimmers, they concluded to pay us off this afternoon and stop work tomorrow to let the trimmers get a little start. I felt bad in the morning, had a severe headache come on before noon. I ate nothing at dinner time but kept at work all day and actually felt better in the P.M for not eating anything at noon. I came home sick however and retire early. Louise came down in the evening and took care of Georgie to let Gussie attend the Sewing Society at Emily Anderson's. John Brayman called to see me after I was in bed. 11/25 Saturday - Cloudy and cool with some appearance of rain in the morning. There being no work in the shop, I went with Henry Blair and George hunting. It being so late when we started, we did not go where we intended # Starrs Plain. I brought home one quail only. As soon as I came home I cleaned my gun and put it away. After returning from hunting George left me at the house and then drove up home. After tea, George dressed for Singing School and took Mother in and drove down to my house and she spent the evening while George went to Singing School and I to market. After marketing I went into the rehearsal for a few minutes. Mr. Lockwood, our new choir leader was with us for the first time. He is hired, I understand, to lead our choir. After rehearsal, George came to my house and harnessed the horse to take Mother home. I rode up with them to drive the horse home and put him in the stable. Got a picture of Georgie at the artist and lost it. 11/26 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Dr. Durbin, Corresponding Secretary of the Missionary Society, preached in the forenoon and the missionary collection was taken. Gussie attended and came home directly after the service to let me go down to Sunday School and the afternoon service. Mr. Lockwood led the choir today for the first time on the term for which he is hired. After supper, I went over to see John Brayman for a few minutes. Dr. Durbin addressed our congregation again in the evening. I attended. I was requested by Brother Hill to take a card and pass down the aisle and take subscriptions; I did so. We finished up the work by rising up $500.00 for the missions. When I returned, I found Father and John Brayman at the house. Father came for a handkerchief and spectacles which Mother left yesterday. John came to borrow my overcoat to wear to Norwalk tomorrow, he having been subpoenaed on a case to be tried there tomorrow. 11/27 MONDAY - Pleasant. George went out selling sifters and took in $10.00. He took my gun with him and brought home 3 red squirrels. Carried vest to Gillette & Fairchild's store to get a watch pocket put in as I went to work in the morning. Also, I ordered a new coat at Harris' store and was measured for the same. John Brayman returned form Norwalk where he went as a witness on a case in law. He returned my overcoat in the evening which he borrowed to go down. His wife came in with him as he brought the coat and from here they went into the street together. Mr. Crofut's new shop near the Gas Works was raised today. 11/28 TUESDAY - Pleasant but cold. George too my gun with him today on a peddling trip. He shot two red squirrels. He broke the wormer (ed.note, used to extract unfired bullets from gun barrel) off the end of the ramrod. I repaired it in the evening and also made a pouncing block (ed.note, device used hat manufacturing) to use in the shop. Bell came down today with her old cloak to be cut over. She stayed all day. I went to market in the evening. 11/29 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy and cold with the appearance of snow all day. I came home before night with a headache. I picked up some wood around the woodhouse and carried it in. Father raked off my yard and covered my strawberry beds with leaves before tea. I bridled Jim and rode up home and paid Father $.50 for working for me. After tea, Moses Baxter and myself helped Father Griswold move stoves. I then went into the street and bought a fore quarter of beef and ordered it sent up tomorrow. I got shaved at Homer Peters' and came home. 11/30 THURSDAY - Pleasant. My beef came today -85lbs. at 12 cents of David Osborne. I called in the evening and paid him for it - $10.62 and 18 cents for 4 quarts of salt. Came home and ruled a Librarian's book for David Bradley; expected him to call and read off names for one to write them in the new book but he did not come. George was not able, he said, to drive away and sell sifters today on account of a sore face, where he had a tooth extracted. He could not even cut some hay for his horse, but could go downtown and this evening take Sarah Purdy and his cousin Mary Purdy and ride over to Mill Plain. Gussie went over to Mrs. Baxter's in the evening and got her new dress which she has been making for her.
1865-11
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal October 1865 Entry
9pgs
10/01 SUNDAY - Pleasant. I cooked my own breakfast this morning and while clearing away the dishes turned over a quart of milk. I attended church all day. Brother Hill preached in the morning. A Hungarian preached in the P.M. upon the persecutions of Protestants in Hungary. A collection was taken to enable him to send his mother and sister back to Hungary who have been pardoned as all of them have been banished for the sake of their religion. I got my tea after which John Brayman came over and we hitched George's horse and rode up to the cemetery. After putting up the horse and feeding him, I went up home to see George and John went to the depot to send word home by the milk train. I went rather late to church in the evening. Brother Hill preached. George and Bell came home with me after meeting to see John. I paid the balance of my seat rent today for the year. Also what Mrs. Bradley owed - $6.00. 10/02 MONDAY - Election day. I went with George to buy hay up to L. E. Bartram's. We borrowed his hay cutter. The hay came in the P.M. I helped George stow it away in Father Griswold's barn. George got his wagon repaired up to Chase's shop. I bought 2 barrels of charcoal for 60 cents a barrel. George went to Starrs Plain in the evening on an errand to Uncle Edwin. I went to market in the evening. The town election went republican but the amendment to the Constitution allowing the Negro to vote was rejected by votes. John Brayman came this evening to stay with me for the first time. 10/03 TUESDAY - Cool and pleasant. I went to the shop today for the first time since a week ago Saturday. We raise our prices 2 % (?) on a dozen all round today. I worked until dark. Hatters' Meeting in the evening but I did not go on account of hearing that cousin Anna Heinman was very low and going up to see her. John Brayman went with me. I went to market in the evening. Bought beefsteak, sugar, matches and a ream of notepaper. George went to Ridgefield today and entered one of his sifters for a premium. He returned in the evening. A letter from Gussie in the evening. I wrote an answer before retiring. 10/04 WEDNESDAY - Cool and cloudy with a sprinkling of rain in the morning. I picked apples for Father Griswold in the forenoon in the tops of the trees where he could not climb. He gave me half for picking or rather, gleaning. I made a barrel for myself which is worth $4.00. I drew $10.00 for Gussie out of the Savings Bank in place of what I gave her to go to Canton with. I went to the shop at 3 o'clock and found the journeymen in an uproar about foul shops; as at the trade meeting last evening, they voted to stop working for a man who had both a fair and foul shop in the same locality. There was a meeting called for this evening to take into consideration the case of foul shops. I attended. The meeting finally adjourned until 2 o'clock tomorrow P.M. I picked my dwarf pears before dinner. I mailed the letter this evening which I wrote to Gussie last night. 10/05 THURSDAY - Cold and raw. The difficulty about foul shops not being settled, we could not go to work today. John Cosier and I went hunting. George went to Ridgefield to get his sifter at the fair and to bring Bell home. In the evening I borrowed $25.00 of Mr. Judd for John Brayman to go to Norwalk and pay grocery bill. 10/06 FRIDAY - Pleasant. John Brayman went to Norwalk this morning. In order to get away, we were up early. In a Hatters' Meeting yesterday afternoon, the trouble about foul shops so far as Mr. Crofut's shop went was settled and today we are all at work while William Tweedy and Edmund Tweedy's shops are still doing nothing. They threatened to make them foul and not employ any more fair men. John came home on the freight train and brought some oysters, a bushel for Mr. Brockett and a half bushel for me. We got them in the evening at Raymond's store where he left them when he arrived. O. A. G. Todd got a beating last night at Oscar Serine's house. He had been to see a widow woman who lives upstairs and a man went and called him out and before he was down the stairs, he (attacked) him. Todd cried murder to the top of his voice and alarmed all the neighbors. 10/07 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warmer. I worked late in the shop. Mr. Thompson came in while we were drinking tea, after which we all walked downtown together. I borrowed $25.00 of Andrew Knox to pay A. Judd what I borrowed for John Brayman on Thursday evening. 10/09 SUNDAY - Pleasant and warmer. I went to church all day. Sunday School Prayer Meeting at noon and communion in the P.M. After tea, John and I harnessed George's horse and too a little ride to limber old Jim's legs and settle our suppers. We rode on the hill west of Col. White's Pond, across from there to near Colby Bartram's on the road to the bogs, and then on the Mill Plain road as far as the old Elbert Segar place and then across to the Miry Brook road and home. I wrote to Carleton & Porter ordering 65 Sunday School Advocates and 26 Sunday School Journals for another year, also 4 sheets of tickets for the infant class. The bill according to the catalog will be $29.20. I enclosed $30.00 for the amount; over to stand to my credit. I mailed it as I went to meeting in the evening. 10/09 MONDAY - John Brayman and I went to the shop as usual after getting our breakfast and washing the dishes. John went to Norwalk this afternoon as he was not to have any work tomorrow. A special Hatters' Meeting in the evening to take into consideration the case of apprentices in the shop lately declared foul and to do any other business proper to be done. I could not attend on account of a Sunday School Teachers' Meeting at the church. I being secretary and having the books was obliged to attend. After the meeting I went to the Jeffersonian Office and got 50 large cards for the sellers of Tilden's Flour Sifters to hang in their stores. I got them for George, he having ordered them. 10/10 TUESDAY - John being in Norwalk, I had to get my breakfast alone. I was in consequence late at the shop. George came before I got away and carried my dirty clothes over to Alex Pine's and carried me as far as Concert hall on my way to work. John came home on the morning train and was here again to tea. George went to Stebbins' store to see about their underselling his sifters; he had some words with Amos about them but finally arranged the matter. I attended a Hatters' Meeting in the evening (a special) but the object to rescind the vote previously taken to not work for a boss who has a Fair and a Foul shop in the same locality was not gained. 10/11 WEDNESDAY - I earned $8.12 today, the largest I ever earned in one day. John Brayman not having any work went hunting in the afternoon, but got nothing. I went to class in the evening. 10/12 THURSDAY - Windy and cool. I went to the shop immediately after breakfast, leaving Cousin John to wash the dishes as he had plenty of time not having any work. He and George went to Norwalk selling sifters as they went or rather started; they are to return tomorrow or the next day. We had but one dozen hats today. I finished mine about 11 o'clock. My last ton of coal came in the P.M. I busied myself around the house until just at night when I took my gun down to Charles Hull to have a new tube put in but finally remedied the difficulty with the old one (there was leakage around the tube). I then went to the Wooster House and got shaved and my hair cut bought a loaf of bread, a pound of coffee and came home and got my tea. I took a letter from the Office for Gussie as I came home from work at noon. The postmark was so indistinct I could not tell where it came from. I opened it and found it to be from Edwin's wife. I carried it up to Father Griswold's for the family to read. I went up home in the forepart of the evening to see Bell who is very sick with lung fever. From there I went to the Post Office and home. 10/13 FRIDAY - Cool. I worked as usual in the shop. While I was getting my tea, Father came in to borrow our syringe. I looked all around for it and then went up to Father Griswold's and Fanny said that Gussie took it with her to Canton, thinking that the baby might require its use. After tea, I went to market and at the same time carried a lamp to Joseph Ives to have the top fastened on. As I came from work, I took a letter from the Office from New Haven for George, he not being home. I shall keep it until he returns from Norwalk. Before retiring, I washed myself all over in a tub. 10/14 SATURDAY - Very cold for the season last night and in fact today. There was ice on a water pail outside this morning of considerable thickness, the first I have seen this fall. I have felt rather poorly today, not really sick but a used up languid feeling. When I came home from work at night, I put on my underclothes. Just as I was about to eat supper, George and Cousin John Brayman drove up having come from Norwalk. I helped John unharness after giving George two cups of jelly for bell (who is sick). John and I took tea, after which we went into the street to do some marketing, etc. I took three letters from the Post Office for George, two of them from St. Augustine and one from his lady correspondent while he was in the army directed to Willie Franklin. As I came home from work in the P.M., I got a letter from Gussie who is in Bloomfield. She wants me to come for her next week. 10/15 SUNDAY - Rain last night and storm and wind today. Sunday School was thinly attended. The presiding elder was with us in the P.M. at the prayer meeting and preached in the evening. After tea, John and I harnessed Jim and rode up home to see bell and down to see Beatty to have him come to Father Griswold's tomorrow morning and carry Miss Sutherland to the depot. We stayed at home in the evening. George called as he came from evening meeting. 10/16 MONDAY - Started for Bloomfield this morning. I had the company of Peter Starr; he was going to Boston. I met Father Griswold at Norwalk. The trains were delayed about an hour on account of the burning of the Cos Cob bridge in the town of Greenwich. While waiting at Norwalk, Father Griswold and myself visited Seymour's Nursery. While waiting in New Haven, Peter with me called on Elisha Dickerson, druggist in Chapel Street. We took dinner in the depot building (a branch of the Merchant's Hotel). I took stage at 3 P.M. from Hartford to Bloomfield Center. From there I walked to Uncle Lorenzo's and arrived about sundown where I found wife and baby. George Wilson, known as Nicodemus, called in the evening. 10/17 TUESDAY - Picked corn with Uncle Lorenzo a part of the forenoon until Alfred Humphrey called at the house on his way to Hartford and Gussie sent Willie Dean to the field for me. Alfred made arrangements with Hiram Barber of Canton to carry us to Canton in the P.M. if we wished to go. Fearing that tomorrow would be stormy we concluded to go on the baby's account. So about 3 o'clock Mr. Barber came along and we started. Arrived at Alfred's at dark. I paid Barber $1.50 for the job; he thought himself well paid. We were met with the usual hearty welcome and good cheer. 10/18 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy with a little rain. I rode with Alfred to the mill in the morning, after which Lydia and Gussie rode with us up to Mrs. Foot's. I husked corn in the barn in the P.M. and milked a cow for Alfred at night. Boiled chestnuts, put stamps on 3 dozen Salves and told stories in the evening. 10/19 THURSDAY - Stormy all last night and this morning; the sun finally came out and in the P.M. we all went up to Lucien Case's and stayed to tea. Windy and colder towards night. Starlight and rain squalls in the evening. Alfred made salve in the forenoon, as I wanted a gross to take home with me for George to peddle. 10/20 FRIDAY - Went up to Lucien Case's in the morning and borrowed a gun to hunt partridges. I got no partridges, it being too windy but found a fine lot of chestnuts. I went for chestnuts again in the P.M. with Anna, Gussie and the children. We returned in time to visit with Lucien's folks who came down and stayed to tea. 10/21 SATURDAY - We rose about 5 o'clock. Alfred started with us to Collinsville about before 7 o'clock. The train left 20 minutes before 8 o'clock. We arrived in New Haven about 10 o'clock. Our trunk was checked through to Norwalk. My carpet bag I deposited in the Merchant's Hotel and then we went up Chapel Street and called on Elisha Dickerson; from there we went over to Cousin Charles Bradley's in Hubbard Street near the hospital and took dinner. After dinner I went with Mr. Bradley to the carriage factory, his place of business. I returned and in about an hour we left there and called at Mr. Chauncey Dickerman's in York Street, but he and his wife were away so we went to Elisha's and stayed a while. From there we went to the depot where Gussie got a beefsteak. It was tiresome waiting for the train in the crowd. We arrive home at 9 o'clock in the evening, an hour behind time on account of the difficulty of changing trains at the Cos Cob Bridge. Mother Griswold had tea for us when we arrived. John Brayman went to Norwalk today with George with the horse. George intends spending a week or more in that vicinity with his sifters. I brought home a gross of salve for him to sell. 10/22 - SUNDAY - We feel rather tired today. I went to Sunday School at noon and then returned home again. Gussie did not go to church, only in the evening when I stayed with Georgie. After tea, I went up home to see Bell who has had the lung fever. I wrote to Carleton & Porter in the evening ordering additional copies of Sunday School papers 5 S.S.A.'s and 4 S.S.J.'s. I enclosed the money for them - $2.90 and Gussie mailed it when she went to church in the evening. 10/23 MONDAY - The milk train from here last evening had a collision on the N.Y & N.H. Railroad between Stamford and Greenwich. The train form here was chartered by the N.Y. & N.H. Railroad to run as far on that road as the Cos Cob Bridge to carry the milk but was run by an engineer of that road. A man by name of Horace Wildman was killed. Conductor Parsons of this road had a leg broken. Engineer George Stevens was badly injured but not dangerously hurt. I worked all day in the shop. I expected Joe Kyle to bring some butter to Judd's store this evening for Oscar Serine and myself, but he did not. I got a letter firm the Office for George tonight and with one that came on Saturday, I mailed them to him at Norwalk where he is now with his sifters. I saw A. Knox in the street about the $25.00 I borrowed of him for John Brayman which should be paid this evening. John could not pay him; I am to see him again tomorrow evening when John expects to have the money. Bought 62 lbs. of bar soap of Mr. Judd this evening for 16 cents per pound. He is to bring it tomorrow. I am to pay him as soon as I can. John Brayman came home from Norwalk this morning on the train. The dead body of Wildman and the wounded from the railroad accident came by the same train. John is to board with us until he moves his family which will be in about a week. 01/24 TUESDAY - Cold; ice was on a water pail at the back door this morning. After tea, I went to market. I saw Andrew Knox in the street and paid him $11.00 which John Brayman gave me last evening toward the $25.00 I borrowed for him over two weeks ago. I went to the depot when the train came with Clark Beers to see if the tea and coffee which he bought for me in New York came but it did not. There was a letter in the mail for George from his sieve manufacturer, Mr. E. C. Andrews of New Haven. I mailed it to George at Norwalk. Mr. Judd brought the soap today which I bought last evening. 10/25 WEDNESDAY - Quite cold again this morning. I worked until noon in the shop and then came home with a headache. I felt so much better out of doors than I did in the house. I took my gun and with Henry Blair's dog, Bird, I went out a short distance to get a bird for Bell as she is now much better of her fever. I got one quail and two chipmunks. I went to bed early and left Cousin John Brayman to rock the cradle while Gussie and Louise went up home to see our folks and to carry the bird to Bell. 10/26 THURSDAY - The baby sick; John went for the milk this morning while I held Georgie to let Gussie get the breakfast. As I went to the shop, I stopped and left word on Dr. Bulkeley's slate at his office for him to come and see the baby. He came about 9 o'clock. He could not tell exactly what to call the disease but feared both Scarlet Fever and Diphtheria. I brought home a Blk. Spring Brim hat with me at night that I got up from a damaged body. John and I went to market in the evening. I called on Dr. Bulkeley to see about the baby. Mr. Pond gave us about a peck of quinces this morning. A brakeman on the freight train was killed today at Norwalk while coupling cars together. He was jammed between the cars and died soon after. 01/27 FRIDAY - A little rain in the morning; cloudy all day with the appearance of rain every hour. The baby a little better today. George F. Bailey's circus exhibited here this day and evening. After tea, John Brayman and I went to market. The train came in this evening about the usual time as the detentions at Cos Bob Bridge are at an end, they having it now so far rebuilt that the trains run over it. Before retiring, I wrote out a card for George for publishing (subject to his approval) in reply to Edwin Gilbert in reply to one previously written by George. 10/28 SATURDAY - Stormy last night and this morning; it cleared off after dinner. We had but one dozen hats today. I came home at noon and went over to Mallory's shop to see Theo Lyon about getting the Russell Strawberry plants which I engaged to him. He was not at the shop so I returned and let Alban Hurd have some of them. Gussie made quince jelly and preserved some of the quinces today. John Brayman went home on the afternoon train. I went into the street in the evening and received a letter form Alfred Humphrey about the flour he was to buy for us. He was disappointed in not getting it, the parties having sold out all of that brand which they had on hand. I also received a bill from Carleton & Porter for Sunday School Advocates and Sunday School Journals which I supposed I sent the money for when I ordered them. I intended to do so and was surprised to learn there was no money in the letter accompanying the order. George arrived home from a peddling trip of 1 week this evening. 10/29 SUNDAY - It was nearly 8 o'clock when we rose this morning. I had Sunday School Advocates to mark off this morning and in consequence of that and late rising, I did not go to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School after which I came home to let Gussie go to the Union Sunday School Concert at the 1st Church, which took the place of the usual afternoon service. George came down in the afternoon to curry his horse. William Warren came with him and called a few minutes. While they were here, Henry Blair's dog, Bird scratched at the door. I opened the door and let him in. He having hunted with me, he came around I suppose to give me a call and see if I would take my gun and go with him not knowing the difference between Sunday and any other day. He stayed with me until about two o'clock and then left. Gussie stayed with the baby and I went to church in the evening. Brother Hill preached. Fido came in church and stayed until meeting was out and then climbed over the seats to get to Fanny. 10/30 MONDAY - Cloudy, but no rain; the sun shone however just before it went down. After tea, Louise came down to stay with the baby to let Gussie go into the street with John and myself. While in Benedict & Nichols, George came in and Gussie and I took his horse which was standing in front to f the store and rode over to Theo Lyons' to see if he wanted to take the Russell Strawberry plants this fall which I engaged to him as Alban Hurd wants them if he does not. When we came back, we papered up the cups of jelly (quince) which she made on Saturday. 10/31 TUESDAY - Appearance of storm in the morning. It commenced raining after dinner and rained hard all the afternoon. It broke away in a measure about 7 o'clock in the evening so that the moon shone a little. George helped Gussie and Mrs. Stone clean the bedroom and pantry today and harnessed the horse and came to the shop for me a little before 5 o'clock. We took Oscar Serine in and carried him home as we came home. There was a special Hatter's Meeting this evening held over Harris' Clothing Store. It was to take measures to prevent foul shops and diminish foul men; also to rescind a resolution previously passed regarding pouncing (?) I attended the meeting.
1865-10
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal September 1865 Entry
9pgs
09/01 FRIDAY - Very warm, I think the warmest of the season. George started with his sifters for Brookfield this morning; he only sold two today. I worked hard all day. Theodore Bradley came down to the shop this morning according to agreement last evening with his mother and me for me to take the size of his head to get him a new hat. I got one before night and finished it but could not get it trimmed. George came home about dusk. I helped him unload his sifters and he came in and got supper; then I rode down with him as he took Mr. Judd's horse home. I did some marketing and then we rode home with Robert Cocking who was at the depot to meet some of Mr. Lyne's folks who did not come. Mr. Cocking paid his rent for last month in the evening. 09/02 SATURDAY - Rain last night and a little this forenoon; the sun came out in the P.M. I worked as usual but finished about 3 o'clock when we got our pay and I came home by way of A. G. Crosby's Coal Office to pay him for some coal but did not find him in the office and therefore did not leave the money.. Before tea, I went over to Joseph W. Allen's and altered a kitten for him. About 7 o'clock I went over to Widow Burr Bradley's with a hat I had been getting for her boy Theodore. Burr's old shop mates with myself made her a present of the hat. I went to the market and home not waiting for the mail as the train was very late. I saw George over to Singing School and he came home with me and got a bottle of ale for Father who is sick. The makers who have been on a strike for a few days at Edmund Tweedy's shop were sent for by the boss yesterday and today they went to work having got the prices they asked for, I believe. 09/03 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm. Gussie went to church in the morning as usual and I to Sunday School and in the afternoon. The Rev. Mr. Horn, who formerly preached in Redding, preached for us. In the afternoon, In place of the regular sermon, he talked to the Sunday School which occupied the north square body. After tea, we went to the cemetery, drawing Georgie in his new carriage, arrived back home about dusk and having the headache, did not go to meeting in the evening. We went upstairs a short time and sat with Mr. and Mrs. Cocking, then came down and retired. 09/04 MONDAY - Very warm. George started with a load of sifters for Ridgefield this morning and has not yet returned (8 o'clock in the evening). As I came from work tonight, I stopped at A. G. Crosby's Coal Office and paid him for 4 tons of coal - $14.00. While we were at tea, John Bouton came in to carry home some apples for Aunt Louisa which she got of Father Griswold. Phebe Palmer came from Starr's Plain with cousin Edwin Mills this morning. She took the train this P.M. for Stamford. Gussie went to the depot with her. 9 o'clock George has returned. I rode downtown with him as he rode home with the horse. He returned home with me and too supper before going up home. Just before George came, Harriet came down saying that Josie had locked herself in her room and she could not get in. I got the ladder just as George came and he went up and got in the window and came downstairs leaving Josie asleep. 09/05 TUESDAY - Indications of rain until about 4 P.M. when the sun shone a little. A fine moonlit evening and very warm. We were limited in our work today, only 2 dozen but it lasted me nearly all day. I worked in my strawberry bed until tea time assisting the runners to take root. I went into the street in the evening and saw George and gave him a letter from E.C. Andrews which I took from the office. Expected Clark Beers on the evening train with some tea and coffee and a basket of peaches for me from New York, but after the train came I learned that he only started for the city that P.M. instead of yesterday morning as he intended. John Brayman came to our folks last evening on the train. George has spent the day with him in the Hat Shops and this evening he attended a meeting of the Makers. 09/06 WEDNESDAY - A little rain in the forenoon, but it came off pleasant and warm in the P.M. We had only 2 dozen hats today; I finished mine by 3 o'clock. I called at Couch's and got 4 card pictures of Georgie which I ordered on Monday. I finished rooting strawberry plants before tea. I went to the depot in the evening expecting Clark Beers with a basket of peaches for me but he did not come. I broke my garden trowel yesterday morning and bought another as I came home from work this P.M. Theodora (?) Flagler and James Sparks were married this afternoon. 09/07 THURSDAY - We were limited to 2 dozen today in the shop. I finished about 4 o'clock. When I came home, I put up a shelf for Mrs. Cocking to set her water pail upon. Gussie went uptown in the P.M. to see Eben Barnum's wife; she stayed to tea and I got a bowl of milk for mine at home. George and John Brayman came in from a peddling trip just after dark. I returned 6 pint fruit jars to Joseph Ives in the evening. 09/08 FRIDAY - Cloudy all day and began to rain about 3 P.M. I worked until 6 o'clock. Gussie went with me into the street in the evening to do some trading. We gave Mr. Austin a picture of Georgie to give Miss English who is nursing at his house. John Brayman and Hart Purdy came home with us from the street. John borrowed a pair of rubbers of me as it was raining hard. 09/09 SATURDAY - It rained hard last night. It has been cloudy nearly all day. Before breakfast, I carried dozen quart preserve jars back to Joseph Ives. George and John Brayman called to see me at the shop before the afternoon train went. I went to market in the evening after which Andrew Knox came home with me to get a copy of the Constitution and By-laws of the old Wooster Guards as a sample for new ones to be printed for the new militia company. I did not find them. Clark Beers brought my peaches from the depot which came on the evening train. 09/10 SUNDAY - Cloudy and at times misty during the day. Gussie went to church as usual in the morning and I to Sunday School and communion in the P.M. Saul Main and wife Edith Newman as it was are in Danbury and attended church today. Gussie went to church in the evening. It was a Union meeting at our church for the benefit of the Guardian Society. As she went she mailed a letter for me to Carleton & Porter requesting the copy of the Sunday School Advocate which w they omitted in the last package. Victor Benedict's child died about 10 A.M. 09/11 MONDAY - Cloudy and misty in the morning but it came off pleasant in the middle of the day. Victor Benedict's child was buried this P.M. at 2 o'clock. Gussie put up 8 air tight glass jars of peaches today. I attended the Teacher's meeting in the evening. I copied the minutes of the meeting before I retired. 09/12 TUESDAY - Cloudy and misty with the exception of a short time in the P.M. when the sun shone. John Brayman came to the shop in the P.M. to ask my advice about taking a card for wool hat finishing as the joiners (?) at Rundle & White's have concluded to give him a card rather than let him go to work foul. He stayed until I stopped work and walked up West Street with me. After tea, John came over and we went into the street together. I did some marketing; called a few minutes at Military Hall where George was intending to play with the band and then I came home, John coming with me and stayed awhile. 09/13 WEDNESDAY - Lowry, foggy and thick mist in the morning, but it soon came off clear and extremely hot. I was taken early in the forenoon with the sick headache which increased so that at noon, I was compelled to stop work and come home. I had a severe turn of vomiting in the P.M. after which I felt better. Mrs. Daniel Starr came over and spent the afternoon and stayed to tea. We gave her a basket of sweet apples for baking and in return she sent us a fine head of cabbage. John Brayman went up home and got the hat which I gave to George and he does not want. I let John have it for a small price and he is well pleased with it. A Mr. Thompson who came from Norwalk to work with John at Rundle & White's called with him in the evening. He is a Methodist. He was waiting for George to go with him to class meeting. George was late and they went into the street without him. While they were gone, I broke the grate to my stove and though I did not feel able to go into the street, I was compelled to for a new grate as I could not make a fire in the morning unless I did. 09/14 THURSDAY - Misty in the morning; sunshine and showers during the day. I did not feel very well today and in consequence have not been to the shop. George went to New Fairfield with sifters today. I saw him in the street previous to going. We talked about selling out the county if a purchaser could be found. I talked with Joseph Ives about it. He said he would think about it and give an answer in a day or two. I saw Charles Barnum about John Brayman's case of working foul or getting a card. I saw John at noon and advised him to take the card (as he now had a chance to get one) and leave the shop. He took my advice and left in the P.M. I saw him again in the evening and lent him $10.00 until he could get to work and earn something. I returned a dozen Eureka Preserve Jars' to Joseph Ives in the evening, they being a failure. They will not keep the fruit air tight. John Brayman and George came with me from the street. We gave George some supper and then we shaved each other. They went home about 9 o'clock. I bought our first mess of scallops in the evening. In the afternoon, I took Georgie in his carriage and went over to Mr. Lynes' to see Robert and the garden, particularly the strawberry bed. I got another dozen Moore's Preserve Jars' at Charles Hull's in the P.M. and Gussie changed the fruit from the Eureka into them so that I could return them in the evening. 09/13 FRIDAY - A little sprinkle of rain this morning, but the day has been pleasant though t warm. I worked in the shop though not very hard as I do not feel very strong yet. We expected Mrs. Beardsley and daughter from Bridgeport here this afternoon and to tea, but they did not come. The have been in town a week or more visiting at Mrs. Cyrus White's, up to our folks and other places. John Brayman got a Wool Hatter's card, also a Fur Makers' card today. I went up to the old military hall in the evening to see George who was there to play with the brass and. Gussie had a letter today from Fannie in Ohio. Andrew Hull's child died today. 09/16 SATURDAY - No fog this morning, but clear and pleasant and cooler. I left the shop as soon as we were paid off and got into a buggy with John Bussing intending to go with him over to Miry Brook and show him where Mrs. Doane lives, he wanting her to nurse his wife, she having had a little daughter last night or this morning.. We rode up to Daniel Benedict's land and I put a pair of heavy boots in the buggy which I had been buying. We then went down to A. Judd's store to enquire of him if we would be likely to find Mrs. Doane at home, and he told us that she had been getting married again within a few days and would not be likely to get her. So John drove up home with me and did not go to Miry Brook. Andrew Hull's child was buried this P.M. George had 2 dozen sifters brought from the depot this P.M. I broke a crank to one of them while trying to straighten it while on the machine. I went to the market and to the depot in the evening to see if Mother Griswold's trunk and bags came from New York which was left behind this morning. They arrived home by the morning train from Ohio. Father Griswold left again in the P.M. for one of his appointments. I wrote for Mother Griswold before I retired to John Stevenson in 27th Street opposite the depot to have him try and look up the baggage and forward it. Before we retired George came in from Singing School suffering from the toothache. Gussie helped him doctor it. 09/17 SUNDAY - A beautiful day; neither to hot or cold for comfort. Gussie went to church as usual in the morning and I went down to Sunday School at noon and to prayer meeting in the P.M. This was the first prayer meeting under the new order of things, not having preaching in the afternoon but in the evening instead. After supper, we took Georgie to ride in hi carriage around the square and up to Father Griswold's where we picked some watermelons and brought home two of them. I added a few words to the letter I wrote for Mother Griswold last evening and enclosed the express man's receipt for the trunk and bag thinking it would assist Mr. Stevenson I finding them. George stopped on his way to meeting with Sarah Purdy, Bell and Mary Purdy. We gave them some watermelon. I went to church in the evening. Brother Hill preached from Luke 12:20. I commenced today to take subscriptions for the Sunday School Advocate for the coming year commencing October 1. 09/18 MONDAY - Cloudy all day but a few drops until evening. It has been cold enough for December today. After tea, John Brayman came over and we went down to market together. I went to the depot when the train arrived to see if Father Griswold's trunk and bag arrived. Ed Barnum the Express messenger said that they were in Norwalk. I arranged with him to bring them up tomorrow and deliver them. I went from the depot to the Post Office and got a letter from Father Griswold written at Meriden to have me see about the lost trunk and bag. John Brayman came home with me and stayed awhile. Before retiring I wrote an answer to Father Griswold directing to West Suffield. 09/19 FRIDAY - Clear and cold. As I went to work this morning, I mailed the letter to Father Griswold which I wrote last evening. I worked in the shop until about 2 o'clock and then came home with the headache. I repaired 2 sifters for George and went with him to Mr. Mygatt's to look at his horse which he offers for sale. I then came home to tea. After tea, I helped Mr. Pond pick some quinces. I went into the street in the evening to try and dispose of some windfall apples at the store for Mother Griswold but could not. I bought dozen fruit jars from Hull & Rogers for her and came home. 09/20 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warmer. Not feeling very well, I did not go to the shop. In the morning, I went over to Granville Ambler's to look at a horse for George. Ambler harnessed it and drove it into town with me and took George in. George and I afterwards went up to Theodore Fowler's to look at a wagon and before we left pretty much concluded to buy his horse, wagon and harness. He harnessed it and we drove home to dinner after which we went up and paid him for it. We gave $100 for the establishment. I took the money from the Savings Bank and lent it to George. George called after tea and we went into the street together intending to go to class but I did not. I received a letter from Mr. John Stevenson of New York in reply to one I wrote him about Father Griswold's baggage. 09/21 THURSDAY - Pleasant. After breakfast, I went up home to ride over with George to Granville Ambler's to notify him that we did not want the horse we were looking at but before we got there, we discovered that we had lost the whip out of the wagon and turned back to find it. We found it and then gave up going to see him. I rode down to Main Street with him and then went to the shop leaving George to get a crate of sifters from the depot and go out on a trip to peddle them. I feel miserable having a bad cold and being nearly used up with hard work. I quit work earlier than usual on that account. Gussie and Georgie went up to my folks in the afternoon and stayed to tea. I rode from the street with Theodore Lyon who came up to get some strawberry plants but it was too dry and he deferred it. 09/22 FRIDAY - While we were eating breakfast, George came in having taken his horse to the blacksmith to be shod. He wrote a letter at my secretary to Mr. Andrews about a sifter got up in the best style to put in the County Fair in Norwalk next week. We were limited in our work at the shop, but I being behind on yesterday's work had more than I could do. After tea, I started to go home to see George but found him away giving Mother, Harriet and Sarah Purdy a ride. They returned while I was there and he drove downhome with me. 09/23 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I went to the shop and worked until noon to get off a dozen hats on yesterday's work as there was no work to weight out today on account of being so close to the facers. After dinner, I went into the street again to get some boards with which to make a box for George's wagon in which to carry sieves and other articles to peddle, but not being able to get a carman to haul the boards, I gave it up. I came home and helped Gussie pot some plants. After tea, George rode his horse down to eat of the grass in my dooryard until after Singing School. I went to market in the evening and brought home a gun from Joseph Ives' store for trial that I am contemplating buying. It is one Joe used to use himself. It became cloudy and commenced to mist a little before I retired. I mailed a letter this morning which I wrote last evening to Mr. John Stevenson of New York telling him that Father Griswold's trunk and carpet bag had arrived safely. O9/24 SUNDAY - Cloudy most of the day; a little sprinkling of rain about church time in the A.M. The sun shone a little after meeting in the P.M. After breakfast, I walked up home and stayed until church time when I harnessed the horse for George to take Mother to church. I left before they started and came directly home to take care of Georgie to let Gussie go to church. She came home at noon. I went to Sunday School as usual. I took subscriptions for the Sunday School Advocate and the Sunday School Journal, a new form of the Teacher's' Journal which is issued again commencing a new volume with October 1. It is a double sheet and the reading matter more interesting than the old Teachers' Journal. Prayer meeting in the afternoon. I went up home just before evening meeting and went from there to church. Brother Hill preached. After meeting, I walked up with George as far as Widow Thomas Barnum's and then came across home. When I arrived home, I found John Brayman there, he having come up from Norwalk on the engine which ran up to get the milk car. 09/25 MONDAY - A little rain last night. It sprinkled a little at times in the forenoon. A thunder shower just after dinner. I tried the gun that I bought of Joseph Ives Saturday evening this morning. I fired at a mark on my woodhouse. Did not go to the shop today but built a peddlers' box for George's wagon. I was from 10 A.M. until 10 in the evening building it. Mr. Pond helped me in the evening. I built it in his barn. George helped me nearly all day and through the evening. John Brayman was with us in the evening, keeping us company in the barn. 09/26 TUESDAY - pleasant; did not go to the shop. Painted (or helped George paint) his peddler's box and built a stall for his horse under Father Griswold's barn. Moved his feed down from up home. Borrowed McDonald's hay cutter and cut up some hay for several days ahead. Rode out to Fish Ware to hunt a little while just at night and then came home and put his horse in his new quarters for the first time. Mr. Pond paid for a sifter this morning and Mr. Carlson this P.M. Wrote to Alfred Humphrey at Canton saying that Gussie would arrive there on Saturday and mailed the letter in the evening. I paid Mr. Joseph Ives $11.00 for a gun in the evening. Bought a warmer for a new rod I am to make for it and came home. 09/27 WEDNESDAY - A lovely day. George stared for Norwalk with a load of sifters this morning. I helped him off. Not feeling in good working order did not go to the shop. I went into the street in forenoon and got some medicine of Dr. Bulkeley for Gussie to take with her to Canton in case the baby requires it. After dinner I took my gun and started for a ramble and to get some birds. I returned home a little after 5 o'clock with 4 birds 2 highpoles and 2 robins. I want ore to try the gun I bought than anything else. Bell came down and stayed with Georgie for Gussie to go shopping. I went to market in the evening and returned home as soon as the mail was opened. I saw John Brayman in the street and he came home with me and stayed a little while. Gussie dressed the birds before we retired. 09/28 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I went down to the shop in the forenoon but did not go to work. I came up to John Cosier's shop and made arrangements to go hunting. We went after dinner up to Tamarack. We had Henry Blair's dog. I got a pigeon and John a red squirrel. I t was after dark when we got home. After tea, I went into the street and changed some No. 5 shot (which I bought today at George Hull's) for No. 8. I found John Brayman in the street and went with him to Mr. Harris' Clothing Store to buy some underclothes. Mr. Harris trusted him upon my recommendation. 09/30 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I found Jake Morris in the street this morning and we went hunting together over to Mill Plain Swamp. I got three pigeons. We used Robert Dunning's old yellow dog. John Brayman came over to breakfast this morning on account of Aunt Louisa's folks being all away to Norwalk at the fair. He came to tea also. I went into the street in the evening to get something for breakfast and to engage Beatty to come for Gussie in the morning. 09/30 SATURDAY - Gussie started this morning for Canton. We took breakfast up to Father Griswold's. A burglar got into Joseph Ives' store last night and was shot at by the clerk who sleeps in the store. I went hunting today with John Cosier, Robert Dunning, and Henry Blair. George returned from Norwalk this evening having taken the first premium on the flour sifters at the County Fair at that place.
1865-09
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal August 1865 Entry
10pgs
08/01 TUESDAY - A fire broke out last night about 11 o'clock in Orange Street. We had just retired for the night. Mr. Dickerman, John and myself went to it. There I saw for the first time a steam fire engine work. There were three of them there and they worked splendidly. A good share of the inside of the building was burned out, but the walls were all left standing. The lower floor was used for an eating house, upstairs was a storehouse for Singer Sewing Machines. I am told also a room where a lodge of colored masons met. They had a meeting that evening previous to the fire. We rose this morning between 6 and 7 o'clock and went down to see where the fire was in Orange Street and then walked up to the barracks at Grape Vine Point to find George. We were told that he did not stay there last night and no trace of him could be found. So we took a horse car and rode back to the city and got breakfast at an eating house nearly opposite the Depot in ____Street. After breakfast, we continued our search and inquiring for George and finally succeeded in learning that he went over to Bridgeport last night in company with William Warren. John and myself spent the day as best we could. We visited the Trumbull Gallery on the college grounds and about 3 o'clock P.M. George arrived from Bridgeport. We immediately started for Mr. Andrews, the maker of the patented flour sifter. We got so far as Elisha Dickerson's where we found his brother Chauncey who had just made it there to see me. He took us both in his wagon and carried us to his home to see his wife and then drove with us over to see Mr. Andrews. There he left us and we talked with Mr. Andrews until about 6 o'clock about the right of Fairfield County for the sifter. We finally came to terms on certain conditions until Friday to which time we got the refusal of it when he would come to Danbury prepared to give George the papers provided he could arrange the matter with Parmalee & Bradley in a way satisfactory to us, as he has given P & B some machines to sell for him with certain claims against the sales of them in the vicinity. We took supper at the same place we did our breakfast and then all went again to Mr. Dickerman's to stop for the night. I had a hard headache in the P.M. and evening and retired with it. 08/02 WEDNESDAY - I slept but little last night and feel poorly today. Mr. Dickerson gave us all free tickets to take a steamer and go to Money Island on an excursion, but before it was time to start, George received orders to report to the depot with his horn ready to go at 2 P.M by express train to go with the band to play at the grand reception to be given the two companies of the 17th regiment from that place. I concluded to go with them to see the reception at Norwalk and then go home. This of course prevented us from going on the excursion. While at Norwalk, I saw John and Harry Brayman and their wives. As George was to return to New Haven to get his pay tomorrow, I left him in the lunch tent in Norwalk getting his dinner and came home. I fell in with A. G. Crosby on the train coming up. Bell was at the Depot expecting us. Sarah Purdy was at the house when I got home waiting to see us to pay for the dispatch I sent to Norwalk when her brother died. I would not take it. 08/03 THURSDAY - Very warm. I rose rather late. After breakfast and doing my chores, I went to bed again and slept until 10 o'clock, being very tired and not feeling well. I am not feeling in a condition to work. Just as I got up from my sleep, Robert drove by on his way to market with tomatoes and cabbages. I drew some beer and we drank together, then I rode downtown with him. I went to the Post office and called at the factory to see Mr. Crofut but he was not in, so I came home to dinner. After dinner, I went down to the shop again and arranged with Mr. Crofut for $400 tomorrow to help George buy the right for flour sifters in this county. A thunder shower came up about 4 o'clock this afternoon and for a few minutes, it rained hard. It sprinkled a little in the evening, but cleared off when we retired. Father came this way from work at night and brought our pail home which Bell borrowed a few days ago. I drew some beer for him. In the evening, I went to the depot expecting to meet George. The regiment was paid off and nearly all the boys came home, but he stayed over to play in the band in Bridgeport tomorrow at the reception there for the returned soldiers. I was much disappointed as it is very necessary for him to be here tomorrow to sign a note to be given to Mr. Crofut for the money he gets of him. Bell was at the depot expecting to meet him and was disappointed also. 08/04 FRIDAY - I went to the telegraph office before breakfast to telegraph to George who is in Bridgeport to come home on the morning train to attend to getting his papers from E. C. Andrews for the County right for Tilden's Universal Flour Sifter, but concluding finally not to send the dispatch, thinking it would do no good. I got a late breakfast and then took a hat over to John Bouton, but it did not fit. I started back to the shop to exchange it and met Andrew Knox who wished me to get a hat for him and let it go towards a little painting he intends to o for me. I got it and carried it to him and made 50 cents on it. I exchanged the one for John Bouton and carried it to him, but this one did not suit either, and while on my way back with it, I sold it to one of the firm of VanDensen & Matthews at a profit of 50 cents also. Mr. E.C. Andrews of New Haven, the owner of the right for this county of Tilden's Universal Flour Sifter came on the morning train according to arrangement and I did the business of getting the papers for George by endorsing Mr. Crofut's note for 3 months and getting it discounted at the Pahquioque Bank. The note was for $400. I borrowed from the Savings Bank $59 to make out the $450, the discount on the Note of $400 being about $9. We had the document. It was made out by Lieut. Governor Roger Averill. The fee was 50 cents, of which I paid half for George. After the business was completed, I met Gussie at O. H. Swift's store and did up a dress which had been dyed for Josephine Dare and a parasol. I directed it and gave to Edward Barnum on the cars to hand to Mr. Gillette, the ticket agent at Bethel. Gussie then did a little shopping and then we had ice cream at DeKlyn's. We then came home and soon after, Ezra Wildman came to the house for a roll of Griswold's Salve. After tea, Mr. Pond helped me carry my tool chest over to his barn. I intend keeping them there for the present. He is to build a bench and I supply the tools and thereby both will be accommodated. I walked downtown with Mr. Cocking. I went to the depot to meet George. He came with his rifle, cartridge box and belts and his horn, an E flat cornet and over $200 in his pockets. He came round to my house with Bell (who also met him at the depot). He left the $200 overnight with me for safekeeping. He called up at Father Griswold's for a few moments. The house was full of ladies of the Sewing Society who meet there tonight. George drank a glass of beer and then I went up home with him and Bell. I stayed a short time and he played several pieces on his horn. When I returned, I took care of baby and let Gussie go up home to the Sewing Society. 08/06 SATURDAY - Very warm. I mowed in front of my premises; also Father Griswold's and I trimmed the works. I worked at it nearly all the forenoon. George came down just before I finished and helped me and then we went downtown to pay the savings bank what I borrowed - $59 yesterday. We went to Charles H. Sanford's office and he applied for a license to canvas for the flour sifter. From there, we went over to Harris' clothing store and he bought a pair of pants and a vest. We then came home and he took dinner with us. I took a nap and about 4 o'clock, Gussie and I took Georgie some bread cake and a bowl of jelly and went up home to tea. After tea, I cut Father's hair. George came down home with us and I went with him and Bell to market. After we did our trading, we went over to Singing School; there was no one there but Harriet Wheeler. I stayed awhile and came home leaving Bell, George, and Harriet there. They came home by way of my house. I gave him a black spring brimmed hat and went up home with him to help carry a basket with things which he bought in the street and two of his old uniform coats, one of them an overcoat. 08/06 SUNDAY - We rose rather late. Gussie attended church in the morning and I in the P.M. Brother Hill preached in the A.M. A Mr. Huntington preached in the P.M. George attended church all day and sat with us. This is his first Sunday home since he returned from the army. George and Bell came down and went with us to meeting in the evening at the 1st Congregational Church to hear Reverend Mr. Huntington from Stamford. He is acting as agent to establish a state institution for the cause of orphan children, especially the children of deceased soldiers. It was a Union Meeting. It has been showery (thunder) all day and rained very hard just as we came home from church in the evening. 08/07 MONDAY - Showery again today, thought there has been considerable sunshine during the day. I have worked all day in the shop. After tea I pulled some weeds from my strawberry bed until nearly dark when George came in and I went downtown with him. He mailed a pile of letters to Florida, Maine and elsewhere including money to pay what he borrowed at different times of different ones when he was in the service. I bought some Sal Soda to wash Mr. Cocking's hat with. I went to O.H. Swift's and got one dozen lesson Books and a Golden Chain of Showers. The singing book was for Avery Raymond's daughter. The 1st Connecticut Cavalry arrived in New Haven from Washington on Saturday evening. Henry Hurd arrived home on the morning train today. 08/08 TUESDAY - The showers are over and the day has been lovely clear and pleasant and not very warm for the season. George called this morning while we were breakfast. He walked down as far as Main Street with me as I went to work. I washed Mr. Cocking's hat in the Sal Soda before breakfast and took it with me to the shop and finished it over and had it trimmed. Mr. Pond has been building a work bench in his barn today and I am to leave my tools there for the joint accommodation of us both. I pulled weeds from my strawberry plants until dark and then went to market. Harriet started for the cars to go to Stamford this morning, but got left. 08/09 MONDAY - Pleasant. As usual, I worked hard in the shop. After tea, I went to market and walked up with Mr. Pond who was looking for Dr. Bennett, his wife being sick (confinement). 08/10 THURSDAY - Pleasant in the morning, cloudy in the P.M. It commenced raining about 9 o'clock in the evening. On my way to work in the morning, I bought of Benedict & Nichols 1 # yards of cotton cloth at 36 cents a yard. I worked hard all day. After tea, I went to market and the Jeffersonian Office for paper and at Couch's gallery for 4 card pictures of the baby. Our neighbor Mr. Pond had a son born last night at about 11 o'clock. 08/11 FRIDAY - Pleasant. Before breakfast I wrote a letter to Everett C. Andrews in New haven to know why he does not send the order of flour sifters to George. I did not have time to mail it and I left it until George came in for dinner while I was at the shop. Gussie showed it to him and he approved its wording and took it and mailed it himself. Mr. and Mrs. Cocking took the train this morning for Fort Hamilton, Long Island to visit her sister. Gussie called on Widow Burr Bradley this P.M. I went into the street in the evening and walked up with Robert Dunning. He stopped in when I got home and compared his rifle bullets with my pistol balls. 08/12 SATURDAY - A beautiful day. I worked until about 4 o'clock and then quit. We received our pay this P. M. We now receive our pay weekly on Saturdays instead of once in two weeks and on Monday. This is the second pay day under the new order of things, but the first that I have drawn as I did not work last week. I brought home a new black hat for John W. Bouton which he ordered about a week ago. After tea, I started to carry John's hat over to him and saw him in the road near Father Griswold's lot on George Street and gave it to him there. He paid me ($2.50) the price for it and I returned home. I then started up home to see him (George?) and found him away. I then went into the street and there I found him. We did some trading and he took a flour sifter from Parmalee's store for a sample with which to commence business on Monday morning. He came home with me and showed Gussie and Fanny how it worked by running some flour through it. He forgot a loaf of bread which he bought for Anna Heinman. Before retiring, I marked of the Sunday School Advocates preparatory to distributing tomorrow. 0813 SUNDAY - A beautiful day. George came down before breakfast for a loaf of bread which he left here last evening. Gussie went to church in the morning. I went down to Sunday School and to church in the P.M. It was the sacrament Service. George came home with me and we put Georgie in his carriage and all went up home to take supper with him as it is his 24th birthday. There was a prayer meeting held at 5 o'clock for Mother's special benefit, she not being able to get out to church. I lay on the bed in George's room during the meeting and had a good nap. George and Bell came down with us as we came home. I drew a glass of beer for George and then I went with him and Bell to meeting. Brother Hill's brother-in-law preached for us. 08/14 MONDAY - Pleasant. Before breakfast, I wrote to Carleton & Porter ordering $2.00 worth of illustrated books for children for Fanny to use in the infant class. As I went to work I mailed it. Harriet Wheeler came home from New Fairfield today where she has been visiting for a few days. Father Griswold came home on the train from a trip in his district. George went out for the first time to sell flour sifters. He received by this evening's mail a letter from Everett C. Andrews saying that he would ship the sifters immediately. Teachers' meeting in the evening. I, of course attended as I am Secretary and Treasurer. George came home with me after the meeting and we talked awhile at our gate. I copied the minutes of the Sunday School Teachers' Meeting before retiring. 08/16 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warmer than it has been for several days past. I carried 12 quarts of crab apples to Parmalee & Bradley's as I went to work in the morning. George took sifters off from Parmalee & Bradley's hands today. The package of small books for the infant class which I ordered on Monday morning came today. Mother, Bell, George and Gussie went over to Aunt Louisa's visiting this afternoon. Our folks had Mr. Thomson's horse to bring Mother over. We raised our bill of prices at the shop today. 2 % (?) on a dozen, except No. 5 the coarsest quality and for extra heavy hats we raised the 4 % (?). The books I ordered Monday morning for the infant class came today. After tea, I went to class and found no one there and cane home again after waiting for the mail. 08/17 THURSDAY - There were indications of rain in the A.M. but it finally came off pleasant. I carried a flour sifter with me to the shop this morning for Edward Stevens who engaged it yesterday. George Benjamin engaged one, also John W. Bussing. I carried one down to Mr. Benjamin's this evening with a peck of crab apples. And left one with Mr. Pond this morning to show his folks and let them try it. I expected John Bouton to come today to lay a new floor to my stoop today, but he did not come and now I think I will defer it until I paint the house. I picked a part of my last tree of crab apples tonight. 08/18 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I sold a sifter this morning for George to a German named Syfer. I carried one to Mr. Carlson to try. Henry Hurd, just home from the war, was shopped at Mr. Crofut's today. The facers at the shop being tired out and discouraged stopped work and thereby obliged us to stop for want of hats. We came home about the middle of the afternoon. I pulled weeds from my strawberry beds until about dark and then went to market. I called at Randall's Store to see some flour sifters and made arrangement to place some of George's kind beside them. Took a letter from the Office from George from Mr. Andrews of New Haven. I carried over to him at Aunt Louisa's where he was spending the evening. He came home with me and wrote Sterling & Peck of Bridgeport about the sifters as Andrews wrote George that they wanted 4 dozen. Georgie is sick; he has dysentery symptoms. 08/19 SATURDAY - Foggy in the morning, pleasant and warm in the P.M. In order to have the flues repaired at the shop, we all stopped work at noon. The trimmers struck for higher prices today. In the P.M., I went with George to sell sifters. He had Mr. Judd's horse. We hauled 8 dozen from the depot. I went to market in the evening. Before retiring, I wrote to E. C. Andrews in New Haven and enclosed $53.20, his bill for the 8 dozen sifters, this being the amount after deduction $6.00 for the 10 machines which he allowed George that were at Benedict & Nichols' when he bought the county rights. I left the letter to be mailed tomorrow night or Monday morning. 08/20 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm in the P.M. Gussie attended church in the morning. I went to Sunday School and to meeting in the afternoon. Brother Hill preached from 2nd Tomothy2:3. George went home with Aunt Louisa to tea; he stopped at my house on his way to look at the letter I wrote for him last evening. After tea, Gussie went over to Elisha Severine's to see how their baby was; it is only just live. While she was gone I wrote to Carleton & Porter ordering another copy of Sunday School Advocate form July to October for Katie Benedict, a scholar in Jane A. Post's class. I enclosed 8 cents for the paper which is the price of eight month's subscription. George called before meeting time and took the letter I wrote for him to E.C. Andrews and mailed it as we went to meeting. Bell was there to go home with him after meeting. 08/21 Monday - Cloudy and smoky in the morning, but it finally came off pleasant and very warm in the P.M. I worked as usual in the shop. After tea, I went in to the street and made arrangements with Parmalee & Bradley and Joseph Ives to put some sifters in their stores for sale. I took a letter from the Post Office for George from E.C. Andrews concerning sifters; also a circular for the collector of Internal Revenue Tax ( H. Hoyt) notifying me to pay my tax of $6.80. I started immediately up home to take the letter to George but found that he, Bell and Phebe Palmer who comes from Stamford today had gone downtown. I started back on a run and met them near Mr. Townsend's and made them go back home with me.. I there talked business with George and then he Bell and I went up into Father Griswold's barn garret where he stores his sifters and put the cranks on two dozen of them ready for Parmalee and Ives in the morning. They then went home and I at his request wrote an answer to Mr. Andrew's letter. Georgie did his first creeping this evening. 08/22 TUESDAY - A thunder shower last night about 1 o'clock and at the same time Abel Gregory's barn was burned near the northern extremity of Balmforth Avenue, supposed to have been set on fire. George took the train this morning for Bridgeport to make arrangements with Sterling & Peck for the sale of his sifters. He intends to visit Norwalk and Stamford on the same business before he returns. I went to the depot to see him off. He took a sample of his sifters with him. Joseph Ives came for one dozen sifters today. I called there this evening and got the pay - $12.00. I took about a peck of crab apples up to Fred Starr's market this evening for Fred Harrington. He is to call for them there. I did some trading and came down to Parmalee & Bradley's store and got my pay for the 12 quarts of crab apples which I left there to be sold. I received a letter from Carleton & Porter stating they would furnish "Longking's Questions" for $1.56 per dozen. I also took a letter from the office for George from Mr. Andrews. Burr Rockwell came to the shop today asking assistance from the Hatters. 08/23 WEDNESDAY - Clear and pleasant this morning and cool after the rain. I repaired one of George's flour sifters before breakfast. Parmalee & Bradley came for one dozen sifters today. I worked as usual in the shop. Theo Lyon came with me from the shop and (bought ?) 50 Russell Strawberry plants. I went into to the street in the evening and got my paper (the Jeffersonian), bought a garden trowel, went to class and walked up home after meeting with Robert Dunning. Elisha Serrine's baby was buried this P.M. at 2 o'clock. Gussie bought another barrel of charcoal. Mr. Lynes sent $1.25 for a sifter which he bought of George. Phebe Palmer and bell came down this evening bur went home before I returned from class. Before going into the street this evening, I carried a sifter over to Alex Pine's for his wife to try. 08/24 THURSDAY - Cold this morning; some say there was a little frost. I worked all day in the shop. Oscar Serrine came for some strawberry plants as he came from work. Bell came down at noon for Gussie to go up home and spend the P.M. She went and cousin Phebe came home with her at night to stay. I ate some bread and milk for supper and then went to market. I called at Henry Hoyt's office and paid $6.80 Income tax. I also went to the depot to meet George, but he did not come. He has doubtless not been able to complete his business regarding the sifters in the lower part of the county. 08/25 FRIDAY - pleasant and a little warmer. Phebe stayed with us last night. I worked as usual in the shop. George came home on the morning train. Edwin Harris brought me some Trompe De grand strawberry plants at the shop today. I brought them home and transferred then before tea. After tea, I dressed up a little and went into the street with cousin Phebe. Gussie did not go, she having been to the cemetery and was too tired. George and Bell came down in the evening and Phebe went home with them. 08/26 SATURDAY - Pleasant and I think a little warmer than yesterday. I went to the shop but on account of the facers not having hats enough ahead we only got one dozen which I finished before dinner. Theo Lyon came home by way of my house and bought a sifter. I have to give him some strawberry plants for buying a sifter. I brought my dinner home with me and ate it with Gussie at the table. Ed Harrington paid me for the sifter he bought several days ago. I went up home about 2 o'clock and George came down with me. Phebe and Bell came down a short time afterword. George and I went into the street. He mailed a letter to John Brayman about canvassing for the sifter. He gave a letter to Ed Barnum to be thrown off at Maria and Carrie Neil's boarding place. He then walked with me down to the shop and I got my pay. I bought a new gold pen, price - $1.15. I sold my old one and got 90 cents for it. Oscar Serrine came for some strawberry plants before tea. George, Phebe and Bell were with us to tea. I went to market in the evening in company with George. When we returned we ate a watermelon which I got in Father Griswold's patch. We enjoyed the evening very much. They went home a little before 10 o'clock. Before retiring, I drew up a bill of prices for the shop, adopted on the 16th instant. 08/27 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Gussie attended church as usual in the morning. Phebe came home with her at noon and I went down to Sunday School. Brother Hill preached in the morning, but on account of a head cold could not preach in the P.M. and consequently there was no service in the afternoon. After the Sunday School session, I came home walking up with David Bradley after going with him across to Barnum's Hotel to get a paper of tobacco. Georgie tumbled out of bed this morning while we were at breakfast. This is the first time it has happened to him. He is just 9 months and 11 days old today. Phebe was with us to tea. After tea, she and Gussie went up home to prayer meeting. George and Bell came back with them at evening meeting time. Gussie stayed with baby and I went with them to prayer meeting mailing as I went a letter to Carleton & Porter ordering another copy of the Sunday School Advocate for a Sunday School scholar for July to October. After meeting, Phebe, George and Bell came home with me to get some paper curtains they bought yesterday for Mother and left by mistake at my house. I fixed a pitcher of cold coffee with milk and sugar which we drank before they went home. 08/28 MONDAY - I rose feeling nearly down sick this morning, having a bowel complaint. George called just as we finished our breakfast., he having been down at Mr. Judd's to get his horse but it was not at home. As I went to work I carried Father Griswold's clock down to Mr. Robinson's store for repairs. I worked until after 6 o'clock in the shop. George started for Ridgefield about 4 P.M. with a load of sifters to peddle out. He took cousin Phebe and Bell as far as Uncle Edwin's. After tea, I went into the street and did some marketing and then attended the Annual School meeting of our district. B F. Ashley was elected clerk and James Taylor, Isaac Smith and Ezra Mallory for committee, Ephraim Gregory for collector, Henry Williams for treasure. 08/29 TUESDAY - Pleasant. Father and Mother Griswold and Fanny started this morning for Ohio. I worked as usual in the shop. Considerable talk today among the hatters about the reported combination of the bosses, an arrangement entered into by some of them determining not to pay any more advances to the workmen and agreeing not to shop any man who is on a turnout for prices at any other shop. Gussie received a letter from Ellen Dare with the balance of money due for dying a dress some time ago which Gussie paid for her. I went to market in the evening. George came home about 9 o'clock in the evening from a trip to Ridgefield selling sifters. Before retiring, we sealed up cups of Crabapple jelly. 08/30 WEDNESDAY - Warmer today. I worked as usual in the shop. Gussie called at Daniel Starr's this P.M. and stayed to tea. I marked Fido's collar before tea. While splitting kindling this evening, a piece hit my eye and hurt it. I went to market in the evening. 08/31 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warmer than yesterday. Muggy in the morning and appearing like rain but by the middle of the forenoon, the sun comes out hot. We being so close onto the facers at the shop, we could get only one dozen today. I finished mine at noon and came home. I met George with Mr. Judd's horse before I got home. I rode down with him to Mr. Judd's store to take the team home and then he came home with me. We talked over the matter of putting the price of the sifters up again to $1.50 instead of $1.25 as he has been for a few days selling them. Noah Hoyt came while we were talking about it for a # dozen. He let him have them and rode down with him to notify Parmalee & Bradley, Joseph Ives, and Randall that they must sell them at $1.50. Harriet and Louise Jones came to tea and spent the evening. Mr. Jabine and friend Potter came in the evening and went home with Louise to Mr. Jabine's. I bought a baby carriage of Elisha Serrine and put Georgie in it and went up home to come down with George who was also with us to tea.
1865-08
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal July 1865 Entry
12pgs
07/01 SATURDAY - Cloudy all day. I quit work at noon. Went to Danbury Bank and drew the $10.00 for George's bounty check and then paid Harris the tailor $2.70 which George owed for army shirts and then came home and weeded out my strawberry beds until tea time. After tea, I worked a while at it and then went to market. I called at Griffing's block where they were taking names of soldiers who would turn out on the 4th of July. From there I went to Averill's office where they were talking up the affair of raising up a militia company in this town under the new law passed a few days ago by the legislature. When I came home I brought Oscar Serrine with me to drink a glass of beer. Mr. Cocking had a fresh barrel of ale come today. Aunt Harriet and Benjamin and Uncle Stephen's widow and Cyrus Benjamin's wife came up from Ridgefield to see Mother. Gussie went up to see them in the P.M. The new militia bill just passed compels the state to furnish uniforms and pay and 5 cents per mile when ordered out for state duty. This is in addition to the regular pay per day. Arms and equipment and armory sent as prescribed under the old law. Mr. Rotier who was reported dead yesterday is alive. The report was false so far as he being dead. He however did drop down insensible, I believe. It rained a little before we retired at night. 07/02 SUNDAY - Heavy thunder shower last night. Pleasant today with the exception of a shower between 2 and 3 o'clock in the P.M. and that was very agreeable. I believe there was no thunder with it. The baby was worse this morning. Gussie feared the Diphtheria. I went for Dr. Bulkeley before meeting time. He pronounced it as before to be mumps. He left Aconite and Bryanier (?) to be taken alternate every 2 hours. Rev. Dr. Wise, editor of the Sunday School Advocate, preached for us. Gussie went in the morning and I in the afternoon. Dr. Wise preached to the Sunday School children in the morning and to the older people in the P.M. Brother George Starr (Supt.) read a letter to the Sunday School from Brother Hill. He is away for his health and wrote from Pennsylvania. He is or has been at Carlisle, I believe. The shower last night and the rain this P.M. has made it quite cool this evening. We did not go out in the evening. Robert drew some beer. I drank a glass with him and retired about 10 o'clock. 07/03 MONDAY - A beautiful day. Father came down in the morning before I went to the shop and paid me the dollar which I lent him in addition to the one I gave him to go to Cousin Joel Benjamin's funeral in Ridgefield last week. On my way to the shop, I bought a piece of lamb at B. & N's for Mother Griswold and sent it up. I worked until noon and then came home and Father helped me mow my door yard and carry off the grass; also trim my walk edges. He stayed with us to tea. He would take nothing for his work so I gave him about 2 lbs. of butter and a bottle of ale to carry to Mother. After tea, Gussie got Georgie to sleep and I stayed with him to let her go downtown in the evening. Soon after tea, Our foreman V. W. Benedict came over to the house and brought me $23 dollars which he drew for me at the shop this P.M. Mr. Crofut paid the men on account of it being the 4th of July tomorrow though it is only one week since he has paid us. While I was with the baby this evening, Bell came down to Mother Griswold's on an errand and she stayed with him while I went downtown a short time. When I returned, I found Gussie at home and Bell waiting for her torpedoes which I promised her if she would stay with Georgie. Aunt Clarissa Burr and Cousin Hattie came from Bloomfield on the evening train and Gussie and I went up to see them before Bell went home. I returned before Gussie did and Robert brought down a glass of beer for me in the meantime. Before retiring, the baby had a turn of vomiting. He has appeared better all day. 07/04 TUESDAY - A beautiful day. The celebration was rather a failure. The soldiers were expected to march in the procession but did not. A dinner was made for them at Concert Hall. I did not take dinner with them though I understood that nearly all the nine months men did. I came home and took dinner with Father and Mother who spent the day with us. I got McDonald's horse and took Mother down about 9 AM. and took her home again about 6 PM. Foster of New Haven delivered the orations. The Fantastics (?) paraded at 3 o'clock. About that time Mr. Cocking and I went up by Father Griswold's and fired at a mark with my pistol. Fanny stayed with Georgie in the evening to let Gussie and I go and see the fireworks. The shower which came about 6 o'clock wet the fireworks so that all the fine pieces were spoiled. A colored ball at Concert Hall after the fireworks which were put off at Concert Hall what was saved of them. 07/05 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. Did not work in the shop. Went hunting with Bob Dunning in the PM. Went down between Middle and Town Mountain and came home by way of Mountain Pond. He shot 1 woodcock and 1 robin, and I, 1 woodcock. I gave my bird to him. I stopped at his house and drank a glass of root beer and then he came home with me and drank some ale. I went to market in the evening. Received by evening mail a letter from George from Jacksonville, Florida and dated June 27th. Ed Barnum told me that the box that I had been expecting from George had arrived by express. I ordered it sent up tomorrow. Charles H. Hoyt became father of a boy weighing 10 lbs. this P.M. 07/06 THURSDAY - Pleasant. Put up my dinner in a paper and started to go to the shop if I did not conclude otherwise before I got there. I have pretty much made up my mind to play this week and rest from shop work which if I can content myself to do will do me much good for I have worked very hard of late and need rest. I went into Main Street and found Hart Purdy and we arranged to go razzberrying and take the gun and get some woodcock if we could. I went down to Jackson's and got his dog, Milo and we went. We got but few berries. I got 2 woodcock, 1 chipmunk, 1 small rabbit and a guinea hen which I found strayed into the swamp. The dog put it up near the edge of the swamp. It flew toward the swamp. I shot it before it reached it, not knowing when I fired what it was, but upon examination when I picked it up, I found what it was. It was very wild and had doubtless strayed away. After tea, I went home with Milo. Before going hunting, I ordered some pictures of myself at Mr. Couch's and in the evening, Hattie Burr and Gussie went into the street on some errand and brought them home, one of each kind, a Carte de Visite and Vignette for me to take my choice and order which style I would have the four I ordered printed. My object in ordering them now is to give one to Hattie Burr as she is very anxious for one. The box containing George's effects which he sent by express was delivered this morning. I paid $1.05 for expressage for him. Gussie got a letter for her folks from Aunt Ruth. A picture was included of Lauren for Fanny. 07/07 FRIDAY - Very warm though there was considerable air stirring. Did not work in the shop today; am trying to rest from hard work. I went to the shop in the forenoon to get my working shirt in order that Gussie could cut out two new ones for which I have bought the materiel. Mr. Cocking brought 40 celery plants for Father Griswold this morning and I set them out for him as he left home on the morning train for Canton. Gussie received a dress pattern by the morning mail from Cousin Anna Eliza Mills in Canton. The wild game which I shot yesterday, we had for dinner today. Aunt Clarissa and Cousin Hattie Burr, Mother Griswold, Fanny and Harriet all took dinner with us. After dinner I went with Harriet Wheeler and Hattie Burr uptown to the hat factories to show them how hats are manufactured. From there I went to Joseph Ives and bought the chestnut secretary which I looked at this morning. I took it for $9.00 and got trusted for it. After tea, I helped Gussie pick some currants to make jelly. I then hoed the garden for a short time and went downtown to hear the news as the four conspirators connected with the murder of Abraham Lincoln were to be hanged today, viz. Mrs. Surratt, Herold, Payne (ed. note, actually Lewis Powell) and Atzerodt. No news by the evening post but a telegram has been received that all four were hung at ___minutes, ___ o'clock. I called at O H. Swift's and got the Sunday School Advocates and brought them home. 07/08 SATURDAY - I have spent the day in training strawberry plants, pulling weeds, marking off the 74 S.S. Advocates for distribution tomorrow in Sunday School. Went onto tin roof of wing and fitted strips of siding under two windows, etc. Bought # barrel of flour of Crofut & Son. Went to Holley's shop to see Father about directions for washing uniform which George sent home. Carried the Sunday School Advocates to the church. Called at Couch's Picture Gallery for four pictures of self (cards) which I ordered yesterday. Our preacher, Brother Hill came home from a tour which he has been taking for his health. We took dinner up to Mother Griswold's with Aunt Clara and Cousin Hattie Burr. I went to the Post. Office this forenoon and Theodore Fowler brought me home with his horse and carriage and stopped and drank a glass of beer with me. I went to the depot in the evening. Theodore Morris and Seth Northrop came home on the train. They left the 17th Regiment at Hilton Head, Florida (ed. note, actually South Carolina). They being paroled prisoners were sent home first. I did some marketing and came home. The papers today give an account of the hanging of the murderers of President Lincoln. They have all four of them been hung. 07/09 SUNDAY - Pleasant. The bell tolled this morning for Levi Benedict, the father of Starr Benedict, the butcher of the firm of Benedict & Nichols. He died in a fit I learned this noon. Brother Hill had the doctor yesterday after he arrived home. He could not preach today. A local preacher by name of Barnum from New York (an old man) preached for us this morning. Gussie attended and came home as usual directly after the service for me to go to Sunday School. I went in the P.M. It was the Sacrament Service. Brother Crawford administered it. Gussie said that Peter Holmes got up after the sermon in the morning and rebuked the official members for allowing the Camp Meeting tent be in the hands of Smith Barnum over at his hotel. Peter could not stand it to be in the hands of a rum seller. I brought home the Sunday School librarian's books to draw up the names of teachers and scholars anew. Gussie thinks she has a felon (ed. note, an infection of the finger tip) on her finger. She soaked it for an hour in as hot water as she could hold it in and then did it up and kept it wet with spirits of turpentine. After tea, I took a nap and then went to the cemetery with Gussie and Hattie Burr. We carried bouquets for Abel and Eddie's graves. Just as we entered the lot a fellow and his girl came in and took the new seat which has been put up this summer and when we finished at the grave they still occupied the seat and notwithstanding the hints we made them they would not move. The fellow showed plainly the lack of gentlemanly qualities or when the owners of the lot and seat came in they would have vacated the seat for them. It was between sundown and dark when we returned home. I then immediately went up and watered Father Griswold's celery and then filled a quart bottle with ale and started up home with it for Mother who sent word by Bell to Sunday School that she wanted some. There was a prayer meeting held up there at 5 o'clock for Mother's special benefit as she is unable to attend church. On my way up, I met Father coming down for the beer. He turned back with me as we met. I stayed until about 9 o'clock. 07/10 MONDAY - Pleasant but cool for July weather. I commenced work in the shop today after resting about a week. I took my dinner and stayed all day. After tea, I took Georgie in my arms and walked around the yard and garden and Father Griswold's garden also. I went to Sunday School Teachers' Business meeting in the evening which lasted until after 9 o'clock. I came home, copied the minutes of the meeting, wrote in my journal and retired. Alson Smith became the father to a son this forenoon. 07/11 TUESDAY - When I woke this morning, it was raining hard. I worked as usual in the shop. It cleared off in the afternoon. After tea, I went to market and up to S.S. Peck's store to get the price of butter for our butter maker Charles Fowler who we expect tomorrow. I then went to Hatters' Meeting over Benedict & Nichols' store. I being on the Auditing Committee with C. H. Hoyt and Nathaniel Cable, I went early and looked over the Secretary and treasurer's books before business commenced. The meeting held until about 9 o'clock. 07/12 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy most of the day, though the sun shone a little. Gussie's finger is troubling her badly. On that account, we are having our washing done over to Alexander Pines. He came for the clothes this morning for his wife to wash. I worked as usual in the shop. After tea, I dug up the ground where I had dwarf peas and set out three rows of Russell Strawberry plants. At the same time Mr. Carlson came for the plants I promised him, he having prepared the ground for them today. I could not go to class as I intended as Gussie wanted to go down to see Dr. Bulkeley about her finger on which she has a felon. She showed it and he cut it open for her and put on a plaster of Grey's salve and recommended for her to buy a box of it which she did before she came home. 07/13 THURSDAY - The weather rather heavy this morning, but it came off pleasant with sunshine most of the day. Gussie's finger is bad yet there is no doubt but that it is a felon. While she was getting breakfast this morning, I sawed some wood. William Carlson finished getting his strawberry plants this morning and did it mostly before I got up. Mr. Pond got a few of them also. I worked as usual in the shop. Bought a large butcher or bread knife of the old knife man (Perry) today for Mr. Pond and gave it to him after tea. I let him have it for what it cost me 25 cents. I promised some time ago to get one for him the first time uncle Perry came with them again. I worked in the shop until after 6 o'clock. Gussie went to market in the evening and I stayed with Georgie. In the meantime David Bradley came and borrowed my compass saw to do a job at a bedstead for Mother Griswold. Rob Dunning and brother came and picked some currants which I promised him some time ago just as I came home from work. Gussie put some up in cans today. P.T. Barnum's Museum in New York City was burned today. 07/14 FRIDAY - Pleasant but rather cool for the season. I worked as usual in the shop. Gussie went down to Dr. Bulkeley's again today and he cut open her felon again. After tea, I sowed some 'King of Swedes Turnip' seeds', the same that was sent to me from the Department of Agriculture at Washington. I also hoed a little in the garden. I then went to market, the Post Office and home. Aunt Louisa went up home to see Mother today and called here and told us how she was. She is very poorly now. She had another bad turn yesterday, but is a little better today. When I returned from the street, I went up to see her. 07/15 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I worked in the shop until the middle of the afternoon and then came home. Gussie and some of her folks went up to see Mother today. They found her a little more comfortable. After tea, Cousin Louisa and Frank came over for some currants. I went into the street in the evening and received two letters from George written July 8th and 11th at Hilton Head. He says the regiment expects to leave there for the North on the 28th. J. Montgomery Bailey arrived from the regiment this evening. He is to report to the regiment at New Haven when the regiment arrives there. Before retiring, I found our cat 'Prince' in the yard with a robin which he had caught. I took it away from him and put it on a tree in Father Griswold's yard as it seemed to be uninjured. 07/16 SUNDAY - Cloudy most of the day, but not stormy. Edward Barnum, my assistant librarian in Sunday School came down this morning and helped me write up the two librarian account books. W. C. Hoyt preached for us today, Brother Hill being very sick with Typhoid Fever. Gussie went in the morning and I to Sunday School and in the P.M. Mister Dunning preached in the Baptist church this P.M., but I did not go to hear him. 7 o'clock P.M. It commenced raining about 1 # hours ago. I have been sleeping on the lounge the past two hours or more. I wrote to Carleton & Porter in the evening ordering another copy of the S. S. Advocate for a new subscriber from July to October and enclosed 8 cents with which to pay for it. I also wrote to George in Hilton Head, South Carolina. It rained hard all the evening and neither of us went out. 07/17 MONDAY - Stormy last night and this morning. I felt badly nearly all day, produced without doubt from hearty eating yesterday and the lack of my usual exercise to digest my food. I worked all day however. We were paid off this P.M. I drew for my last week's work $26.50. On my way home, I called at the Coal Office of Alden G. Crosby and engaged my winter's coal. Five tons at $11.00 and if the price should be less before the 1st of September, I am to have the benefit of it. I bought # ton for immediate use and had it immediately delivered. After tea, I picked a few currants for Gussie to can up for use next winter and then went downtown. I mailed a letter to Carleton & Porter ordering one copy additional to our number of S.S. Advocates for a new subscriber, paid Mr. Joseph Ives $9.00 for the secretary I bought of him in the 7th instant. I then went to the Depot for Mrs. George Davis to see if there was a package by express for her. Father Griswold came home on the train. He has been spending a week in Canton with Cousin Alfred Humphrey. As I went into the Post Office on my way home, I found Edwin Harris waiting to see me to get some Russell Strawberry Plants which I promised him and though it was dark, we found a dozen which he took home with him. 07/18 TUESDAY - A beautiful day. I have been about sick today with the bowel complaint, but have worked hard all day notwithstanding. On my way to work in the morning, I mailed the letter to George which I wrote on Sunday. Gussie is almost down with a bowel difficulty as well as myself. I went to market in the evening. 07/19 WEDNESDAY - I felt worse this morning than yesterday. I had the Diarrhea so badly that I was up during the night and out twice before breakfast. After breakfast I took an injection of blood warm water which worked like a charm on my bowels. Did not feel able to go to work. I went into the street and talked more with O.H. Swift about the news business for George. Went down to the shop and sold 4 rolls of salve to Sam Parks and bought a piece of enameled cloth to cover the writing table of my secretary. I came home and let Milo (Mr. Jackson's dog) follow me. I covered the table to my secretary and the Gussie dressed Georgie and we took him and we went up home to see Mother. I carried a bottle of ale up to her. We came home by way of Wooster Street and Main at the same time going up to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper. I took Father's over to Mr. Holley's shop to him and then we found Jesse D. Stevens on the street. He came home with us and got a few Russell Strawberry plants which I promised him. Mr. Ashley tells me that a letter has been received from Saul Raymond at Port Royal and he says that the 17th Regiment will sail from there on the 20th tomorrow. Mr. Frisbie, the new Congregational preacher at the 1st church was installed today. The sun shone this forenoon, but in the P.M, it clouded over and commenced raining about 7 o'clock. I went to market and to the Post Office in the evening. 07/20 THURSDAY - It cleared off last night with a thunder shower and today has been warm and pleasant. I have worked hard all day in the shop. Gussie called at Alson Smith's this P.M. near Harry Stone's, corner of Liberty Street and Railroad Avenue where Miss English is nursing Mrs. Smith. When I came home from work and before tea, I drew a glass of ale. After tea, I dug three hills of potatoes, the first for us of the season. I rode downtown with Robert Cocking in the evening. I carried my patent leather boots to D. Benedict's to be soled and capped. Bought loaf of bread. Went to the Post Office and rode home again with Robert. I sold three more rolls of salve today two rolls to William Mansfield and one to another man in the plant shop. 07/21 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warmer than several days past. We gave the baby another injection this morning to move his bowels. I worked hard all day in the shop. On my way to work this morning, I mailed a letter for Father Griswold. As I came home from work at night, I called at D. Benedict's shoe store for my patent leather boots which he has been repairing for me soling and caps on the toes. When I came home, I found Father there. He had just done pressing some currants for me in Father Griswold's hard cider mill. He stayed with us to tea. After tea, Gussie went to market and to the Depot to engage Beatty to come with his carriage for Aunt Clarissa and Hatty Burr, who are going home tomorrow to Bloomfield, Conn. She also went up to Balmforth Avenue to engage Mrs. McNeil to do some dressmaking for her but found her sick and she cannot do it. While she was gone, I walked around the premises with Georgie in my arms until Mr. Cocking came and he drew some beer and I drank with him. Spent the evening up in his room until Gussie came. Fourth anniversary of the Battle of Bull Run. 07/22 SATURDAY - I woke this morning and found it storming hard. Aunt Clara and Hatty Burr started for home this morning with Father Griswold who goes as far as New Haven with them. I worked hard all day until 7 P.M. in the shop. It cleared off about 4 o'clock. After tea, I went into the street walking down with Robert and got the package of S.S. Advocates for Sunday School and my copy of Harper's Weekly and walked up home with Mr. Carlson. I took the lantern and went into the garden about 9 o'clock and dug some potatoes for breakfast. 07/23 SUNDAY - A lovely day, neither too hot nor too cold. I marked off 73 copies of the S.S. Advocate after breakfast. Gussie went as usual to church in the morning while I stayed with the baby. Starr Hoyt Nichols preached for us in the morning and Brother Crawford in the P.M. I went in the afternoon. Brother Hill is very sick yet. A prayer meeting was held up home this afternoon at 5 o'clock for Mother's special benefit. We did not go but took Georgie in his carriage and went up to the cemetery. On the way, I stopped at George Starr's and handed him the list of subscribers in our Sunday School to the Lincoln Monument and the money with it - $20.32. He told me that the old lady, Mrs. Wildman, his wife's mother had just died since the afternoon meeting. We did not go to meeting in the evening, but retired early. 07/24 MONDAY - A little cloudy and some indications of a storm this morning but it finally proved a fair day. Alden G. Crosby, agent for the People's Coal Company, delivered 3 tons of coal this morning of the 5 I ordered a few days ago. I worked hard all day in the shop. The last I did before stopping work was to finish a damaged black hat on the 5deep spring prime block to either wear myself or to give to George when he comes hone. I went into the street in the evening for groceries and went to the depot to see if some of the boys of the 17th Regiment came as we are daily expecting them to arrive in New York for Port Royal, South Carolina. Mrs. George Starr's mother was buried this P.M. Father Griswold attended the funeral at the residence of George Starr where she died. Mr. Stokes came to Father Griswold's today from New York. A School meeting this evening in the basement of Concert Hall. Father Griswold was chairman. It was I believe to take measures for building a new school house. 07/25 TUESDAY - Indications of a storm during the day. A thunder shower between 6 and 7 o'clock P.M. By the New York Herald, I see the 17th Regiment arrived in New York by steamer from Port Royal. They took refreshmnet on the battery and then took steamer for New Haven at 11 o'clock at night. It has been very close and warm in the shop today. I worked until between 3 and 4 o'clock and stopped. I brought home a black spring brim hat, 5# deep, which I have been getting up from a damaged hat. It cost me nothing except the trimming. When I got to Main Street, I borrowed Alden Crosby's horse and buggy and carried Mother's straw bed home. Amos Purdy, Jr. died about 5 o'clock P.M. I helped a little about laying him out and went to the telegraph office and telegraphed them for his wife in Norwalk and paid the fee 40 cents. I went to the depot in the evening and met George who came from New Haven with the others of his company. I brought him around to my house before going up home with him. Mr. Cocking drew a pitcher of ale and we drank a glass together after calling to see Father Griswold. We started up home but found that they had all retired, so George hung his knapsack, haversack, and canteen in the old cart house and returned with me rather than disturb Mother, fearing it would disturb her badly to wake her. It was nearly midnight when we retired. 07/26 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. After breakfast and while Gussie was cleaning up Georgie, George and I went into the street to carry the item of Amos Purdy's death to the Jeffersonian Office for publication and to buy some meat for dining up home. When we returned, Gussie was ready and we too the baby and went up home with George. We spent the forenoon and took dinner after which Father, George and myself started for the cemetery. We stopped to talk with Swift about buying him out when Gussie came along and went to the cemetery with us. When we returned, I bought a loaf of bread and George went around home with me and we got our last jar of peaches and too up home for tea. We had a good time together during the day. After tea, Gussie and I came home. I went to market in the evening and saw Mr. Crofut about money to assist George to buy out O.H. Swift. I then went to class just before it was out where George and Bell were to John Cosier's class. I told George what I had done about the money. I walked up Deer Hill with him as far as Widow Barnum's and then came down home. 07/27 THURSDAY - Did not work in the shop. Spent a part of the forenoon in talking with O.H. Swift and figuring on the store and the news business with it. Mrs. Stone did our ironing in the forenoon, just before dinner. I went up home and carried a hat to George. Before breakfast, I went over to see John Bouton. At 1 o'clock, I attended the funeral of Amos Purdy. Father Griswold officiated; it was at the church. I drove Mr. ____'s white horse with the officiating clergyman (Father Griswold). George and William Warren assisted as pallbearers in uniform, Amos having been a soldier. George left with others of his company to report at New Haven. They took the 4 o'clock train. Bucket lost in the well. I borrowed a well hook of Clark Hickok and fished it out. I paid for soldering a strip of tin on the eves of my new tin roof - $1.75. It was done yesterday. I lent George $2.00 to get back to New Haven with and my pocketbook to put his money in when he gets paid off as he has none, not having any use for it for nearly a year as they have not been paid off in that time. I do not play often enough to know how to do it easily and am very tired. I took a nap after tea and then carried the well hook over to Clark Hickok's and went to market. Bought three quarts of whortleberries and a loaf of bread. 07/28 FRIDAY - Very warm. I worked all day in the shop. Ordered a # barrel of ale at Ferrell's for Robert and myself. Bell was with us to tea and stayed with Georgie while Gussie and I went to the store and to the depot to see if George would come on the train. John Bouton and William Warren came and said that they would not be paid off until next week and George being desirous of economizing much as possible stayed in New Haven and will not be home until the regiment is paid off. Brother Hull left a paper with Gussie today with blanks for me to fill out of the numbers of officer and teachers, number of infant scholars and books in the library. I filled them out after tea and left them at his house as we went into the street in the evening. I saw Mr. Henry Crofut at the depot and he told me that he thought he could let me (or George) have the money needed to buy out O.H. Swift and the paper business of P. Starr. I wrote to George about the paper business before retiring. 07/29 SATURDAY - Pleasant, indications in the morning of a warmer day than yesterday but a breeze finally sprang up and made it quite airy. The letter that I wrote to George last night informing him that I could have the money, I mailed this morning before breakfast. I worked all day in the shop. Saw Mr. Crofut as I left the factory about the money for George. He told me how he proposed to let me have it. I saw O. H. Swift on the street before I got home and he told me that he feared George had lost the paper business as Josiah Day's brother claimed that P. Starr had given him the refusal of it before he left home. Mr. Starr has not yet arrived home. I was at the depot in the evening to see Peter if he should arrive on the train. While there, I saw Day and his three brothers ready to mount Peter when he came. They are evidently determined to have the paper business for the town. By the evening mail, I received a letter from George stating that he has seen Peter in New Haven and he has an opportunity to buy the right for Fairfield County for the patent for a flour sifter. It would take less capital than the paper business and could do far better. After tea, John Bouton and Frank called on us. Just at night Crosby sent another ton of coal making now 4 tons delivered. The # barrel of ale from Ferrell's which I engaged for Robert and myself yesterday came also just at night. 07/30 SUNDAY - Pleasant; either too warm or too cool for comfort. Brother Hill is not yet able to preach though during the last week he has walked considerably. Brother Crawford preached for him today. Gussie went in the morning and I in the P.M. John Bouton and Frank attended church in the afternoon and sat with me. We had tomatoes for breakfast and green corn for supper. After tea, we took Georgie and went up home. They were holding a prayer meeting there. So we stopped at Henry Heinman's to see John Bouton until meeting was over. Gussie wrote to her cousin Eliza Humphrey I California in the evening. I went to prayer meeting and on the way I mailed a letter to George in New Haven in reference to the County right for the flour sifter which he wrote me about Saturday. 07/31 MONDAY - Pleasant. I got breakfast early and mailed a letter for this morning's mail to George. I went from the Post Office to the depot to see the boys who were to return to New Haven. I sent word by them to George that I should be there to see him in the evening. I worked until noon and then came home. After dinner I went back to the factory to get my pay and the money to take to New Haven to assist George in buying the County right for the flour sifter. I could not get the money from Mr. Crofut on account of George not being here to sign the note. So I concluded to go to New Haven and arrange for the right and leave the money matter until George should come home. I accordingly started for New haven on the 4 o'clock train arriving there about 7 o'clock, but was disappointed in not finding George waiting for me at the depot. I inquired and hunted for him but could not find him. I went up to Elisha Dickerman's where I was welcomed as an old friend. John Bouton went with me. The2nd Connecticut Light Battery arrived by steamer in the evening and were escorted by the mayor, the New Haven Brass Band and Light Guard up Chapel Street to the State House where a fine supper was waiting for them. After this John and I went to Mr. Dickerman's to put up for the night after going to an eating house near the Post Office for supper.
1865-07
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal June 1865 Entry
11pgs
06/01 THURSDAY - Pleasant and very warm. National Fast appointed by President Johnson to be observed as a day of fasting, humiliation and prayer. The factory has been closed on that account. The first thing I did this morning was to mow the grass in front of the house in the street. After breakfast I went down to Stebbins's Lumberyard and bought a piece of studding for Father Griswold 16 feet long to make a flag staff on his house, the old one being too short. I spiced on the new piece after which the flag was run up at half-mast in observance of the national fast. Just before dinner Mr. Cocking came home and helped me clean up the front walk and straighten the edges after which we both took a walk up to James Scaitlin's to look at his strawberry beds. I called to for our folks at the same time. They were cleaning house. I brought home the scythe which I lent him last night. The religious services were held in our church at 11 o'clock. Sermon by Mr. Dunham a Congregational preacher. I did not attend. We sent for Dr. Bulkeley about noon and he came to see Georgie. He had a swelling near the left ear which we feel some concern about. Wrote to Carleton & Porter requesting the S.S. Advocates be sent in one package instead of two. Gussie and Sarah Purdy went up to the cemetery and did not return until about 9 o'clock. 06/02 FRIDAY - Pleasant but not quite so warm as yesterday. On my way to the shop in the morning ordered 6 lbs. of Potash to be sent up to Mother Griswold's. She is going to make soft soap. I found Potash and she the grease and I am to have a share in the soap. I worked until 7 o'clock before stopping at night. 06/03 SATURDAY - Pleasant. Before breakfast, I hoed out my Trompe de Gard strawberry bed. I spent a part of the forenoon in finishing over my old Nutria hat making it into a Spring Brim, the latest style. I should have finished over Father Griswold's old block soft hat which I have in the shop to make over into the same style if the new block which has been ordered had come but it did not. It is to be on the 5 deep 7 size. Gussie bought a new dress and shoes this P.M. After tea, I worked in my garden spading between rows of potatoes until 8 o'clock and then went to the Post Office and market. While I was at work in the garden Cousin Mary Purdy and David Bradley's wife called to see Gussie. Before retiring, I drew some beer and Mr. Cocking and I drank some together. 06/04 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm. Gussie went to church in the morning while I stayed with Georgie. Mary Purdy came and stayed with baby and let us both go in the P.M. The first Sunday of David Bradley acting as Assistant Librarian, James Parmalee not being there. I was obliged to help distribute Library books in addition to performing the Secretary and Treasurer duties. After supper, we went up home and drew Georgie. Mr. Charles Starr was up there and sat in the yard with us and talked. Mr. Squires and wife were there also. I went to Baptist Prayer meeting in the evening with Mr. Cocking. Gussie stayed at home with Georgie. When we returned we drank a glass of ale together. The wife of Truman Trowbridge died at 8 o'clock on Saturday (last) evening. The bell tolled this noon. A heavy shower passed around us by the North at about 10 o'clock, but we got no rain from it. 06/05 MONDAY - Sunshine in the morning and very warm, but the wind passed around into the east and soon clouded over so that before noon there was a great change in the atmosphere. I finished over Father Griswold's old high crown black soft hat on a 6 deep Spring Brim style. I felt nearly sick in the A.M. and came home to dinner thinking I would not return to the factory but after dinner I felt so very much better that I went back and worked until night. When I came home and after tea, I helped William Carlson clean out his rain water hogshead and then he helped me clean out mine as both of them were nearly dry and there being a prospect of rain. Mr. ____, Father Griswold's German neighbor joining on the west, mowed his yard today and Father Griswold gave me a little of the grass to put around my strawberry hills which I did just before dark. Mrs. Stone washed for us today and brought her little girl with her. Mrs. McDonald and Elisha Serrine's wife called in the P.M. and in the evening Mr. Swift's wife and mother called. It rained a little this P.M. Truman Trowbridge's wife was buried this P.M. Captain Morris Krasynski of Co. A, 11th Regiment, C.V. arrives home this evening by train having left the service. He declares that he ready to continue in the army when they want him. 06/06 TUESDAY - There have been indications of a storm all day though the sun shone some in the PM. David Scribner's wife who is crazy came into the shop at noon and said she was going to have a donation party this evening down at the County House after which there would be a dance. She went on with her crazy slang until our Foreman V. W. Benedict ordered out at the same time hurrying her by putting his hand on her shoulder and pushing her. After tea, I forked over the ground between my potatoes in the garden and then went to market. There is a meeting this evening at Concert Hall to make some arrangements for a 4th of July celebration. As I came home, the Brass Band was playing on the steps of the hall to draw the people together. Cousin Frank Bouton received a letter today from John mailed at Jacksonville, Florida stating that the regiment was on the way to Tallahassee to do garrison duty. Mother is not so well today. Bell came down this evening with a bottle to get some ale for her. I being away to market, Gussie could not draw it so she returned home and left the bottle. Before retiring, I put some insoles in my new patent leather boots. 06/07 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy but no rain. Edward P. Stevens, an old shop mate had a watch stolen from his home just before noon. I bought home Father Griswold's hat which I have been finishing off for him. I have intended to go to class this evening, but I am very tired so I stayed with the baby to let Gussie go to the milliner's to get a cap trimmed for Georgie. The thief who stole Edward Stevens' watch was caught by Charles Crosby over to Stony Hill. He denied having stolen the watch but upon being taken to the jail confessed it and told where he would find it. Abel Wheeler's father from New Fairfield is at Father Griswold's on a visit and is staying all night. A new railing in the Post Office to prevent crowding. 06/08 THURSDAY - pleasant and very warm. Have not felt very well today. The watch that was stolen from Edward P. Stevens yesterday was found by Charles H. Crosby where the thief told him it was under a stone near where he arrested him. After tea, I went up on the top of Father Griswold's house and with a pole placed the halyards on the pulley of the flagstaff which was off when the staff was erected. I also spliced the halyards to make them reach the window of the observatory. I stayed with the bay in the evening to let Gussie go to the milliner's for Georgie's cap. In the meantime Aunt Louisa and Cousin Frank called. 06/09 FRIDAY - Very warm. I was changed from Drab Hats to Black just before dinner. It was so very warm after dinner that I stopped work between 3 and 4 o'clock and came home. A hard shower came up just as I left the shop and I got wet before I reached home. I went to market in the evening and brought home a blue fish and fixtures for a lamp. It is what is termed the 'Tom Thumb' arrangement. While fixing the flagstaff on Father Griswold's house last night, I left my pocketknife on top of the cupola. I went up for it tonight. We had a fine mess of strawberries for tea tonight. Mary Cable brought the baby's cap up which Gussie went for last night and found it not trimmed. 66 S.S. Advocates came today. 06/10 SATURDAY - I went to the shop in the morning and worked about 2 hours and I then quit as I did not feel able to work. I have a cold and have worked very hard for about a month which I suppose is the reason for my indisposition. After dinner I lay down and slept for about 2 hours and then I went downtown with Gussie. I bought a Weekly Tribune for Mrs. Hancock to send to her husband in the army, and then went with Gussie to Benedict's Shoe Store to exchange a pair of baby shoes for one size larger. I then went to the Danbury Bank and found it closed. I intended to take a hundred dollar U.S. 7 # 30 Loan but was too late as banking hours were past. I intended to take money from the Savings Bank to invest in the U.S. Loan as named. I then went to Joseph Ives and talked with Edmund Allen about a new tin roof on the wing of my house. I came home and worked off the S.S. Advocates and carried them down to the church before tea. A heavy thunder shower came up just after dinner and it was showery the remainder of the P.M. and evening. Mr. Cocking came with team to meet Mrs. Lynes at the depot. I rode down with him. Mrs. Cocking bought some beer in the evening for Robert and he brought down a glass for me before we retired. Mrs. Hancock was taken unexpectedly sick yesterday and today she has had the Doctor and is not able to sit up. She is a new wife and we suspect she has a miscarriage. Thomas Sproul brought another 1/4 ton of coal today for $2.75. I mean to pay him next Monday. Before retiring, I wrote again to Carlton & Porter about the S.S. Advocates to send them in one package. 06/11 SUNDAY - A little cooler after the rain but pleasant. Gussie went to church in the morning while I stayed with Georgie. I went to Sunday School and in the P.M., Sunday School Prayer meeting at noon at which a collection for the Lincoln Monument was taken - $10.62. Sacrament in the P.M. We had lobster for supper after which we drew the baby and went up home to see Mother. John Cosier called to see her while we were there. We sang and he prayed before we left. He walked down with us when we came home. I went to the 2nd Congregational Church in West Street in the evening to hear Brother Hill preach his sermon on Methodism. Wrote to Carlton & Porter to send our S.S. Advocates in one package. This is the second time I have written about it. 06/12 MONDAY - I worked in the forenoon and finished off a dozen hats I had out. I went back to the shop after dinner but did not work. I stayed until they paid off and then went up to Joseph Ives to see about a getting a tin roof for the wing of my house. I came home by way of E. Whaley to see his strawberries and to see him about sending S. Barnum to New York for fire crackers for the 4th of July. They will cost us more than we expected and I am in favor of not sending. I went over to David Bradley's to see about his doing the carpentry work to my roof. He was not home so I left word to have him call and see after which he did. He will not be able to do the work before Friday. While he was here Ed Whaley came along and I drew some ale for them. I went to teacher's Meeting in the evening and was made Secretary and Treasurer of the Sunday School. I had a severe headache in the evening and I retired as soon as I came from the Teacher's meeting. It is now Tuesday morning that I am writing this. I was not able to do it last night. 06/13 TUESDAY - Not feeling very well, I rose late. After breakfast I cut a little grass in my yard and put around my strawberry plants to keep the berries clean. Went down to the Post Office and to the Savings Bank to draw out $100 with which to take a $100 7-30 U.S. Loan but concluded not to do so as I would thereby lose the interest in the Savings bank from April until the present time and besides the Savings bank pays 6 % instead of 5% as I supposed and furthermore I shall probably pay the $100 on my place next April and unless Mr. Mallett was willing to take the 7-30 Loan, I would be obliged to sell it before I could pay him. So I came home without making the changes. After dinner I took a nap on the bed with Georgie and slept until nearly 3 o'clock. I then picked what strawberries there were ripe and rode downtown with Mr. Cocking and bought a gallon of molasses and 1 # lbs. of sugar at B&N and sent it up home. I then went over to the church and looked over the Sunday School classes on the Librarian's books and arranged them on the Secretary's book which I now have the charge of. David Lanigan was married at the Baptist Church in the P.M just before the cars went out and took the train for a wedding tour. He married Miss ___ Comstock from the Boggs District. While downtown this morning, I saw Charles Fowler and paid him $1.75 due him up to date for butter. After tea, I went over to Seth Downs and Dr. Bulkeley to see their strawberries. I came home by way of the Post Office and got a letter from George written at St. Augustine, Florida June 3rd and Jacksonville June 7th. They were waiting transportation to come home. 06/14 Wednesday - Pleasant but a little cooler. Gussie went up to Mrs. McNeil's to get some dressmaking done and I carried my dinner at the shop. I worked all day though I have not been in a condition to do so. I feel nearly sick with my cold and also I have a sore mouth. On my way home from work, I overtook Father and he came around home to get a glass of beer. It has been reported today that David Mansfield has been found dead in a lumberyard in Norwalk. I went to market in the evening but was too tire to stay down to class. The 2nd Congregational Church is holding a strawberry festival this evening in Concert Hall. 06/15 THURSDAY - Cloudy and cool but no rain. The body of David Mansfield came last evening on the train. I have felt better today than for many days past. I worked all day in the shop. I went in the evening to Joseph Ives to see about having my tin roof put on tomorrow. They are to put it on if the day is pleasant. Gussie went into the street with me in the evening. She went home after doing some shopping and I waited for the mail. I received a letter from Carleton Porter explaining about the extra packages of the S.S. Advocates sent to us. I answered it in Parmalee & Bradley's store and mailed it ordering 8 extra copies before I went home. 06/16 FRIDAY - Some appearance of rain in the morning, but at times during the day, the sun shone. I stayed home and with David Bradley ripped off the old shingle roof on the wing and put on new roof boards for a tin roof. After dinner, Mr. James Turner and Mr. William Allen came with the Irishman Mike and succeeded in putting on the tin roof by working until 7 o'clock. David came over after tea and helped me put on the strips of siding which we took off that the Turner's might work. We then went downtown together. I reported to Joseph Ives about the new roof, but they were just closing the store and desired me to call at some other time. I got a $10 bill changed to pat David what I owed him. 06/17 SATURDAY - Pleasant and very warm. I went to the shop in the morning, but feeling rather sore and stiff from yesterday's work, I concluded not to work. I went up to Joseph Ives' store and paid $20 on the bill of ___ for my tin roof. I took a nap after dinner and the Gussie and I took the baby up to the cemetery. While coming home in the morning, I met Louise Jones; she had just been to the house to see Gussie. In the evening, I went downtown and bought a thin vest and coat. Went to the barber's and got my hair cut and then came home. 06/18 SUNDAY - Very warm in the forenoon. A shower came up about noon and rained a little cooling the air very much. The sun was hid from view nearly all the remainder of the day. I stayed with Gussie in the forenoon to let Gussie go to church. She came home after the morning sermon to let me go to Sunday School and in the P.M. Dr. Holdrich preached in the A.M. He is Secretary of the Bible Society. F. W. Jackson preached in the P.M. from the last clause of the tenth verse of the 12th chapter of 2nd Corinthians. We continued the subscriptions in Sunday School for the Lincoln Monument Fund. After tea, I did my writing for the Sunday School and then we put Georgie in his carriage and went over to Aunt Louisa's. I also carried David Bradley's pipe to him which he left here last Friday while at work. I went to hear Dr. Holdrich on the Bible Cause at our church. Rev. Mr. Shepard preached at the West Street 2nd Congregational Church in the evening on Universalism. I walked from the church in the evening with Widow William Bradley as far as the corner of New Street. John Cosier's class met at 5 o'clock up home with Mother. 06/19 MONDAY - Cloudy all day; misty at times but no rain. I worked all day in the shop. When I came to dinner, I ran up Father Griswold's flag as I promised him I would as he wanted to make a little sport with Aunt Ruth and Anna Eliza when he should come with them on the freight train. They came with him as expected. When I came home, I found the flag caught on the point of the lightning rod. I went to the top of the house as soon as I could and took it down. While doing so, Anna Eliza came up to see me. She had changed so much that I should not have known her if I had seen her anywhere else. When I came down, I went into the sitting room where they had just finished tea to see Aunt Ruth. I stayed there to tea. Anna came down with Gussie and stayed while I went to market. While down to the Post Office, I saw Henry Hoyt who is to be gatekeeper at the Fair tomorrow and the next day and he wanted some of our Sunday School Festival tickets for the Committee at the Fair to use while running out and in. We went over to the church together and I went to the Library and got them for him; he took 35 of them. I took from the Post Office some King of Swedes Turnip Seed sent by Congressman J. H. Hubbard or at least the envelope had his frank upon it. 06/20 TUESDAY - Cloudy but no rain. The wind went around from East to Southwest and our threatened storm will I think prove a dry one. Before breakfast I stuck down some of the vining plants to my Russell Strawberries. I am trying to force a few plants to put out early. The Ladies' Sewing Society Fair of our church commenced today in Concert Hall. Bell came down in the P.M. to take care of Georgie so that Gussie could attend the Fair with Aunt Ruth and Cousin Anna Eliza Mills. I worked hard all day and until after 6 o'clock at night. In the evening, Gussie went to the Fair again with Anna and Eliza Vintz. I walked down with them; as they went into the Hall, I went to the Post Office and to market. I then came home without going into the Hall. When I came home, I took care of Georgie and let Bell go home. There was a Hatters' Meeting which I did not attend to take into consideration an invitation from the Town Committee to participate in a body by joining the procession on the 4th of July. I was notified before leaving the street that I was Chairman of an Auditing Committee, consisting of C. H. Hoyt, Nathaniel Cable and myself to audit the accounts of the Secretary and Treasurer of the Association. 06/21 WEDNESDAY - Foggy, misty and some rain in the morning, but before noon the sun came out warm and pleasant. I was very tired when I stopped work. Gussie and Anna Mills went to the Fair again in the evening. I went to the Post Office and found a letter from the Post Office in Washington, D.C. It was one that Gussie wrote to Emmaline Francis in Leavenworth, Kansas and it never reached its destination and it came back to her by way of Washington. I went into the Fair to carry the letter to her and while there, I bought three dishes of ice cream for Gussie, her cousin Anna and myself. I then came home to relieve Cousin Mary Purdy who was taking care of baby for us. I gave her 25 cents and sent her to the Fair. 06/22 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warm. Being tired out from hard work, I stayed out of the shop. I called at Sheather & Lacy's shop and went from there down to where I work at the Pahquioque Shop, It being then about noon, I walked up with Edwin Whaley. After dinner I took a nap and woke up and found a hard shower coming up. The thunder was heavy, also considerable wind. It rained hard and cleared off between 5 and 6 o'clock. Aunt Ruth, Cousin Anna Eliza, Mother Griswold and Harriet Wheeler spent the afternoon with us. Father Griswold came down and took tea with us while Harriet went home with Josie. After tea, we all took a walk around the corner by Mr. Pond's place and upon the lime rocks. I went to market and to the Post Office in the evening. While down there I found that there was a meeting of the Union League called to vote the use of the cannon to the citizens' celebration on the coming 4th of July. I attended before going home. 06/23 FRIDAY - The day has been pleasant. Last night's shower having cooled the air so that it has been a comfortable day to work. I carried my dinner today in order that Gussie might have more time to visit with her Aunt Ruth and Cousin Anna Eliza. Father Griswold got Beatty's double team and took his company out to ride this evening. When I came home to tea, I found a letter from George which Gussie had taken from the Office. He sent his last bounty check and over $6 in Confederate money for preservation as a relic. After tea, I worked until about dark starting the new plants in my Russell Strawberry bed. Gussie and Anna Eliza went downtown in the evening, while I stayed with Georgie. 06/24 SATURDAY - A beautiful day. I came home to dinner after which I went with Gussie and Cousin Anna Eliza to Mr. Crofut's Forming Shop in West Street and then down where I work at the Pahquioque Shop to show them the way hats are manufactured. From there we went up into Main Street and found Fanny, Harriet and Aunt Ruth. Aunt Ruth went to Dr. Ryder's and had a tooth extracted and then they did some shopping. In the meantime I talked with O. H. Swift about the paper business for George when he should arrive home. After tea (Bell came in and stayed to tea), we all went downtown to show Eliza where General Wooster died. We went by the way of Deer Hill and I called at Father's a few minutes. The Sunday School Advocates came today and before tea I marked them off and carried them downtown with us and came up Main Street when we came home and left them at the church. Mr. Cocking came down stairs and drank a glass of beer with me in the evening. 06/25 SUNDAY - Pleasant and very warm. Gussie went to church in the morning; I stayed with Georgie. She came home at noon. I went down to Sunday School and to preaching in the P.M. Asa Hill preached for us today. I had the headache in the afternoon. We had our first mess of peas for supper, from our dwarf vines. Mr. Mackey, a son-in-law of Joseph Foot, the hatter formerly of this town, who has been lately converted was in our Sunday School and made the opening prayer. He also made some remarks to the school before it closed. I felt so poorly after tea that I lay down until nearly evening meeting time. I did not go to prayer meeting; neither did Gussie, but we spent a part of the evening up home with Aunt Ruth. I felt better before retiring. 06/26 MONDAY - It rained in showers all day and very hard in the afternoon. I carried my dinner to the shop. We were paid off in the P.M. On my way home from work at night I took from the Office a letter from Cyrus Benjamin, giving the intelligence of the death of his youngest brother Joel. He died of consumption. The letter was written yesterday. The funeral will be attended tomorrow. The letter was written to Father, but I opened it to see who was dead. After tea, I went up home and carried the letter. I gave Father $1.00 with which to attend the funeral as I could not go myself. From there I went into the street to pay the balance of my bill for tin roof to Joseph W. Ives for $8.41. I then went to the depot to see Mr. Beatty about coming for Aunt Ruth and Cousin Anna Eliza as they want to start for Canton tomorrow morning. I did some marketing and then came home while it was raining in torrents. Before we retired, it was starlight. While in the street, I called on O. H. Swift to see if he had done anything more about the newspaper business from George. He told me that he had about settled the matter and thought he would be able to let George have the business when he came home. Fred Brinker's wife was buried this morning. 06/27 TUESDAY - Pleasant and cool after the rain. Father took the train for Ridgefield this morning to attend Cousin Joel Benjamin's funeral and Aunt Ruth Griswold and Anna Eliza Mills took the train also for Canton. I worked as usual in the shop. After tea, I helped Mr. Pond grind his scythe and sickle. I ground our scythe also. I went to the Post Office in the evening but got nothing. Father returned from Ridgefield by the evening train. 06/28 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and cool for June. I worked as usual in the shop. Joe Kyle, Ed Whaley and William Norman were off from the shop this morning. After tea, I hoed some corn in the garden and propped up tomato vines. I then went down to the Post Office and to see Dr. Bulkeley about Georgie who is sick from continued constipation. He was not at his office, so I walked around to his residence in Spring Street. He prescribed for him. I came by way of Oscar Serrine's to borrow his syringe, but it was broken so I went to Dr. Baldwin's Drug Store and bought one of Loewe's pattern for $1.50. I came home and gave the baby an injection and the medicine Dr. Bulkeley prescribed. 06/29 THURSDAY - Prospects of a storm in the morning and did rain a little about 6 o'clock, but it finally came off pleasant and warmer than yesterday. There has been considerable wind; otherwise it would have been very warm. The baby is better today. On my way to the shop this morning, I called at Joseph W. Ives to see about the gutter in my new tin roof. He (Mr. Allen) promised to call in a day or two and look at it. Mr. Cocking brought me some cabbage and cauliflower plants this morning; I set the out after supper. I gave what cauliflower plants I had left to Mr. Pond. I set out some cabbage for Father Griswold. Gussie went to the market in the evening while I worked in the garden. 06/30 FRIDAY - Very warm; I worked as usual in the shop. Uncle Joe Rotier, who lives just below Father's at the lower end of Deer Hill Avenue fell dead I Ed Tweedy's shop while drinking some ice water. It is supposed that he was overheated and the ice water caused his death. There is quite a stir in the community about the affair of Orange Beebe and John Rowan's widow. It seems that On Monday evening, June 19th, Beebe committed or attempted to commit a rape upon her. They were riding together. She resisted ad in consequence received such personal injuries that it is feared she will not recover. Beebe is under ____ bonds. When I came from work, I found Georgie sick. After tea, I went to see Dr. Bulkely and he pronounced it mumps and prescribed accordingly. I went to Raymond's and ordered a lobster for Mother Griswold and peck of clams for myself tomorrow. A thunder shower came up in the evening about 9 o'clock
1865-06
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal May 1865 Entry
10pgs
05/01 MONDAY - The insurance runs out today and as I went to work this morning, I took the policy to get it renewed. I called at L. C. Hoyt's office and found that he died this morning at five minutes past 4 o'clock. Some say that it was the spotted fever that killed him and others that it was erysipelas, and some say that it was the plague that is prevailing in Russia, and one account is that Dr. Bennett gave him powerful medicines and poisoned him. He was well a week ago. The insurance on my house and furniture which I wished to renew was in the Aetna Company. I concluded to defer the matter until he was buried and someone began to conduct the insurance business in his stead. Burr Bradley is very sick. He has indications of a fever. After tea tonight, I went over to see him and took a pail at his house and got some ice as I went into the street. 05/02 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. After tea, I pulled some weeds from my strawberry bed until dark and then went over to see Burr Bradley. He is pretty sick, no better than yesterday and last night. He wished me to order through Peter Starr one dozen lesson books, 1st Series. I went to the paper office and did so. When I came home, I walked up West Street with Nathaniel Cable. L. C. Hoyt was buried this P.M. at 2 o'clock. The services were in our church. I did not go, but Gussie did by going up and getting Bell to take care of Georgie. I took the baby carriage over to McDonald's as I went for milk this noon and had it mended. 05/03 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant but rather cool. Gussie got up with a severe headache, tried to get breakfast but could not, so I cooked it myself. I ate, cleared off the table and went to the shop. I found Gussie very much better when I came home from work. After tea, I went over to see Burr Bradley and found him better. From there, I went to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper. Bought my first mess of porgies at Raymond's three large ones for 13 cents. From there, I went down to Billy Kyle's in the Pahquioque Block and bought a large shad for Father Griswold for 18 cents a lb. 05/04 THURSDAY - Pleasant and warmer than yesterday, though there was a white frost this morning. Just as I was starting for the shop, Mr. Stevens, the gardener, came to spade my garden for me. As the manure was not yet on the garden, I stayed to get it out. It was coal ashes, door yard grass and other vegetable matter. The best part of the forenoon being used in getting out the ash heap, I then concluded to spend the day in planting. Accordingly, I went into the street for some garden seeds, June potatoes, etc. I spent the P.M. in planting lima beans, potatoes, sweet corn, string peas, beets and parsnips. Miss English and her friend Miss Brown called in the P.M.; also Bell Purdy. In the evening, I mailed a Jeffersonian to George and called to see Mr. B. Bradley. He is worse than he was yesterday. 05/05 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I planted more potatoes in my garden before going to the shop this morning. On my way, I carried to Parmalee & Bradley's 5 lbs., 10 oz. of pieplant for Mother Griswold. Gussie drew Georgie up home on Deer Hill this A.M and spent the day. When I came home from work, I found the house locked. I got my supper ready to eat just as she came in accompanied by Bell. After supper, I went over to see Burr Bradley and found him more comfortable than he was last night, though I suppose he is really but little if any better. I then went to the Post Office and home. 05/06 SATURDAY - Stormy. It rained gently all day until just at night and in the evening when it rained very hard in showers. There was some lightning with it but no thunder. On my way to work in the morning, I carried my boots to Reed's Shoe Store to have some pegs drove in the soles to stop them squeaking. I came home to my dinner for the first time since last fall. After tea, I went over to see Burr Bradley. I engaged to go and watch with him tonight. Mr. Pond got some trompe De Gard Strawberry plants of Father Griswold this morning and set them out. I planted a few more potatoes in the garden this morning, also some squash. I took 6 lbs. of pieplant for Mother Griswold this morning and started for Parmalee & Bradley's store with it but sold it to Hoyt Dibble, engineer at Mr. Crofut's Forming Factory in West Street. 05/07 SUNDAY - I watched with Burr Bradley last night. I came home about half past four this morning and went to bed. I slept until 8 o'clock. Gussie went to church in the morning. She came home as soon as church was out and I went down to Sunday School and attended preaching in the P.M. Brother Hill preached upon the providences of God in our own congregation during the past week, viz. the death of L. C. Hoyt, the severe sickness of Burr Bradley, etc. His text was ____. A dispatch was received today that Sally Ames (Sally Keeler it used to be) was dead. She being pregnant miscarried, at the same time had the small pox. She died at 10 o'clock this morning. After tea, Fanny came down to take care of Georgie to let Gussie and I go to call at Burr Bradley's that I might leave the Sunday School collection - 65 cents with him as he is the treasurer. His wife took the money and brought the book so that I could put down the amount taken. I did not see him as he is too feeble to see anyone. From there we called on Mrs. Stone (our wash woman) and at Daniel Starr's. Gussie went to prayer meeting in the evening while I stayed with Georgie. As she went she mailed a Harper's Weekly to George for me. 05/08 MONDAY - Pleasant. Mrs. Stone washed and cleaned the bedroom tearing off the paper preparatory to putting on the new. She made out nearly a day's work. I paid her a dollar. I helped her shake carpets at noon after dinner. In the evening, Louisa took care of Georgie and Gussie went with me and bought some paper for the bedroom. Dr. Bennett and son and Dr. Lacey held a consultation this morning and decided that his disease was erysipelas and that there was no hope in his case. I called a little after 6 o'clock as I came home from work and found him dying. After buying paper in the evening, Gussie and I came that way home. Gussie went home soon after seeing him and I stayed a while and fanned him. I left him fading fast and got home at 10 o'clock. While in the street I left my watch with Captain S. G. Bailey for repairs. Received this noon through the Post Office a blank to be filled out with my income the past year. It was from C.H Sanford, Asst. Assessor of the U. S. Internal Revenue. Showery just at night and in the evening. 05/09 TUESDAY - Stormy all day. I started for the shop and went by way of Burr Bradley's to see what time he died and when he was to be buried as I supposed that he was certainly dead as none expected last night that he would live until morning. But to my surprise, he was still alive. There being no man present except his own family friends, I pulled off my boots and stood over him until he died which was a quarter to 12 o'clock. I gave him his last nourishment and wet his lips the last time. Soon after he was done breathing, I put his false upper teeth in his mouth, closed his eyes and mouth and helped tie a handkerchief under his chin to keep his jaw in place. I took two pennies (large ones) from my pocket and placed them on his eyelids after they were wrapped in paper to prevent them from coloring the lids. I came home to dinner and returned again soon after to assist if necessary in laying him out, but the undertaker, Mr. Holy (?) and Amos Stone had already begun the job and needed no more help. So I then took the blank sent to Burr by the Assistant assessor of the U. S. Internal Revenue and carried it to the Assessor (C. H. Sanford) to see what could be done in regard to it. He was not sure that it could be collected (the tax). I left the blank with him and he is to see if the payment of the tax by the widow can be avoided. I handed in my own receipts for 1864, which were as follows: wages for the year, $773.62, rent upstairs rooms, $36.00making the total receipt $809.62. The deducting from the sum total $66.00 interest money and insurance $4.20 and taxes $3.80, it leaves $735.62. The deducting $600.00 not liable to taxation. It leaves subject to tax $135.62 which at 3 percent tax will make it $6.78 as my taxes under the Internal Revenue law. I went to the shop about 3 o'clock and finished off a dozen hats I commenced yesterday and then quit. I came home by way of Burr's to see about watchers. I took it upon myself to procure two for the night which I did in the Street in the evening by getting George Hamilton and Captain E.E. Wildman. Gussie went over to see the corpse in the evening and I came home that way to come home with her and to tell them that watchers were engaged. 05/10 MONDAY - pleasant but a little cool. I took 12 lbs. of pieplant to Parmalee & Bradley's Store for Father Griswold as I went to the shop. We notified Mr.Crofut this forenoon that if he wished to keep his men he must advance $2 per dozen on his whole bill. He agreed to give it. We worked until noon and then all hands attended Burr Bradley's funeral, which was at 2 o'clock at the house. From there we repaired to the church where Brother Hill preached a sermon. I, in company with several other hat finishers walked up to the cemetery and witnessed the burying. After tea, I went over to Mr. Lynes' and got some lettuce plants which Robert Cocking, his gardener who lives with me promised to give me. I gave David Bradley a few of them on my way home. It took me until quite dark to set them all out. David and Hart then came along and I went with them downtown. I mailed a Jeffersonian to George. In it was the death of Burr Bradley and Uncle Stephen. While in the street, I saw Andrew Knox about papering our bedroom. It is doubtful about his being able to do it this week. I fear we will be obliged to engage someone else as the room is all ready for the paper. I bought some halibut and went with David Bradley around to call on Mrs. Bradley to see how she was bearing the loss of her husband and to get the dress that Gussie had borrowed for her of Mrs. Barnum. 05/11 THURSDAY - Rain last night and this forenoon. It partly cleared away in the P.M. and the sun shone a little. A little splatter of rain about 6 o'clock and a very hard shower with thunder and lightning and a tremendous wind about 7 o'clock. I heard in the evening that it blew over the spire of the Presbyterian Church in Bethel and unroofed one house. Andrew Knox papered our bedroom in the P.M. He finished before I returned from work and lest his l=pocket knife. He consequently went home without his pay. Mrs. Cocking came down and stayed with Gussie in the evening while I went to get my Aetna insurance policy renewed by the General Traveling Agent who is now here to adjust the business that was left by the death of L.C. Hoyt. I then went over to Widow Burr Bradley's to get the list of S.S. Advocate Subscribers to mark off the papers for distribution on Sunday. She not only gave me the list of names but gave all the books pertaining to the Secretary and Treasurer of the School which I took until the School appoints someone in Brother Bradley's place. My insurance policy I put up in an envelope to send to Aaron Mallett at West Redding, but on account of the lateness of the hour I did not mail it. 05/12 FRIDAY - Stormy last night and this morning, but it cleared off about noon, pleasant but a little cool. On my way to work this morning, I mailed my insurance policy to Aaron Mallet, West Redding. Not feeling well, I came home before night. On my way home, I engaged ton of coal of Tom Sproul which came between 5 and 6 o'clock. I also took one dozen lesson books from Starr & Hopkins (through whom we got them from New York) and carried them over to the church. Before tea, I helped Gussie put down the bedroom carpet. Brought our last ham down from Father Griswold's barn after tea and cut a slice for our breakfast tomorrow morning and cut off a piece which we feared was fly blown to boil for dinner tomorrow. I wrote to Aaron Mallett, West Redding notifying him that I had sent him my insurance policy and telling him why I delayed so long before sending it which was that the agent L. C. Hoyt was dead. I sent the letter to the office in the evening by Gussie as she went to the milliner's and to Sewing Society. I spent a part of the evening in looking over the Sunday School secretary and treasurer's books which have been temporarily been given into my hands since the death of W. B. Bradley, out old Secretary and treasurer. The Sunday School Advocates have come and I tried to find among the books and papers the list of subscribers in order that I might mark off the papers ready to distribute on Sunday but I could not make the list which I found agree in numbers with the number of papers received from New York. 05/13 SATURDAY - Pleasant and warmer today. We moved the bed back again into the bedroom from the parlor where we put it in order to clean and paper the bedroom. I helped move the bureau and such things as required my help and then went to the shop. On my way home to dinner, I took three letters out of the Post Office from George. There were two more there, one for Mother and one for Harriet. The two last are written April 21 and 24 and speak of the surrender of General Lee and army to General Grant and the assassination of Lincoln. I worked until nearly 7 o'clock in the evening to finish up the work I had out. Gussie made calls at Mrs. Daniel Starr's and Widow Burr Bradley this P.M. and went up to the cemetery. I met Andrew Knox and paid him $1.40 for papering our bedroom last Thursday. Gussie went to the milliner's in the evening while I went to market and around to Widow Burr Bradley's to see about the list of subscribers for the Sunday School Advocates. 05/14 SUNDAY - A lovely day but it clouded over again in the evening threatening a storm. I stayed with Georgie in the forenoon to let Gussie attend church. Brother Hill having a boil on his foot sat down and preached. Sunday School Prayer meeting at noon. I commenced taking names for the Sunday School Advocate at noon. Brother Bradley began it before he was taken sick but did not complete it before he died. I have taken charge of the books until another Secretary and Treasurer can be elected. On account of Brother Hill's sore foot the sacrament was not administered in the P.M., but Mr. Van Meter who is here with 11 girls and 1 boy from the Howard Mission preached or talked to the church and his girls sang some sweet music. They were arranged inside the altar. Mr. Van Meter talked and his children sang at the Baptist Church this forenoon. Mother came home to our house to tea. At 4 o'clock the three Sunday Schools, 1st and 2nd Congregational and Baptist, assembled at our church to hear Mr. Van Meter and his girls. I went to hear them again. When it was over I got George Cosier to take Mother home from my house. Bell came home from the 4 o'clock meeting and stayed until evening meeting time and went to hear them again at the 1st church with Gussie. I sent a letter and Harper's Weekly to the Post Office by Gussie as she went and mailed them to George at St. Augustine, Florida. As I was coming from the regular afternoon service this P.M. and got just at the head of our street in West Street, I saw Curtis Hoyt get run away with. He had his Grandfather Hoyt's double team and was coming for Mary Richards to take her up to Pembroke where she teaches school. There was a little girl in with him, his cousin a daughter of Frank Hoyt's. They were thrown out and the wagon turned bottom upwards and dragged as far as the corner of George Street by Mr. Pond's where the horses were stopped; neither of them were badly hurt. Rumors that Jeff Davis and cabinet are captured. 05/15 MONDAY - It has been a beautiful day, though early this morning, I feared a storm. I drew $2.50 for Burr Bradley and $.67 in checks making $3.17 his due at the shop. As I came home from work, I carried it to his widow. The papers today officially confirm the capture of Jeff Davis. The first dozen wire brim hats were weighted out today. After tea, I went to the Jeffersonian office to see about the publishing of George's last letter. From there, I went to market and to the Post Office and came home. Mr. Basset's wife died very suddenly today. Dr. Bennett says it was similar to what Clark Hoyt and Burr Bradley died with. I sat up until 12 o'clock preparing a letter for publication in the Jeffersonian for George. 05/16 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warm. I worked hard all day in the shop. Edwin Whaley and William Carlson were shopped after dinner. I sent at noon by Joseph Kyle to have Nathan Farrell send me a # barrel of ale beer which he did in the P.M. I gave Mr. Cocking a glass in the evening and then rode down to market with him. Sarah Purdy called just as I went downtown with Robert. Before retiring, I worked awhile at Cosmopolite's letter for publication. 05/17 WEDNESDAY - Very warm, the warmest of the season. It has been almost intolerable in the shop. Edwin Whaley and William Carlson worked for the first time in the shop today; the first since they were shopped which was yesterday. William Patch was buried this P.M. After tea, I went into the street and got my Jeffersonian and mailed one to George. I returned immediately for fear of being caught in a shower which threatened. As I came home, I overtook Miss English who was coming to call on us and walked home with her. She talked awhile and played with Georgie and then returned to Dr. Ryder's where she is stopping. I did not go to class on account of the threatening shower. Before retiring, I completed arranging George's letter to the Jeffersonian for publication. After tea and before going downtown, I planted some cucumbers. 05/18 THURSDAY - Cloudy with a cool East wind during the day. It began to rain a little in the evening. On my way to work this morning, I left George's letter at the Jeffersonian for publication. I also dropped a line in the Post Office to Andrew Knox for Mother Griswold this morning. 05/19 FRIDAY - Still cloudy; no hard rain but misty. I planted some evergreen corn in the garden before breakfast. After dinner the shop was called and a vote passed that we Have $2.50 extra for a scoped faced block finished on a scope band. Mr. Crofut was sent for to talk up the matter. He finally agreed to give the $2.50 extra for a scope faced block which was designed to cover the Spring Brim. I worked until nearly 7 o'clock. Received a letter this noon from Aaron Mallett acknowledging the receipt of the insurance policy. 05/20 SATURDAY - I pulled weeds from my strawberry bed before breakfast until the rain drove me off. It rained very hard for a time in the morning. I worked as usual in the shop. This is the third day I have been on the Spring Brim hats. We have just announced that style of a hat. There is a prospect of a large run on them. I came home for dinner and found Mrs. Stone cleaning house for Gussie. The bedroom upstairs and the bedroom has been her work for today. Mother Griswold was with us to dinner. I helped Mrs. Stone shake carpet before returning to work. I worked until 6 o'clock to finish off a dozen. I went to market in the evening. I waited for the mail before coming home and received a letter from George. Miss English came for some pepper plants which Robert left for her. Mr. Cocking lost his pocketbook today with about $8.00 and some papers of more or less value. He purchased an article at George Hurd & Sons and that is the last he remembers of the pocketbook. 05/21 SUNDAY - South wind and warm. A little rain in the morning. Flying clouds so that we had but little sunshine. I stayed home in the forenoon and let Gussie go to church. She came home at noon and I went down to Sunday School and to the afternoon service. I wrote to George; sent a Harper's Weekly to him also. Wrote a note to the editor of the Connecticut War record in New Haven and enclosed a copy of George's letter in the Jeffersonian for publication in the War record. It is to be printed in the Jeffersonian this week. _____ from the Five Points Mission reached for us this morning and took a collection for the mission. A collection was also taken for the Lincoln Monument. After tea, Father called to see us. I gave him a glass of ale. From here he went over to Aunt Louisa's. I stayed with Georgie in the evening and let Gussie go to Prayer Meeting. As she went, she mailed my letters and papers. Mr. T. Scofield's adopted child Charlie died this P.M. at 5 o'clock. 05/22 MONDAY - Lowery all day. A very little rain in the P.M. I worked hard until 7 o'clock in the evening and earned the largest wages ever in my life - $7.00. Dwight Rogers became father to a little daughter this forenoon. Our old nurse Miss English is nursing Mrs. Rogers. I went to market in the evening and down to Mr. Thompson's to get my truss repaired, cleaned, covered and a new pad. He charged me $2.00. Charlie Scofield was buried this P.M. at 3 o'clock. Gussie went to the funeral. While I was down to Mr. Thompson's in the evening, Sarah Purdy called. 05/23 TUESDAY - Lowery in the morning. The Masonic Order of this town went to Norwalk this morning by a special train to attend a celebration. It cleared off about noon; a little cooler. Mrs. Stone washed and cleaned the parlor today. After dinner and before returning to the shop, I helped her shake the carpet. After tea, I nailed down the carpet and Gussie put the room in order. Mr. Cocking came to bring his wife home from Mr. Lynes' and I rode downtown and back again with him. By evening mail I received a note from John W. Norris, editor of the War record acknowledging the receipt of George's letter for publication. Bell came down about 4 P.M. in a great fright about Mother who had a poor turn. After I returned from market about 49 o'clock, I went up home to see her and found her rather poorly but to all appearances at least not more so than she has been for some considerable time past. I feel rather old today on account of working hard yesterday and setting up until midnight to repair my truss. 05/24 WEDNESDAY - A beautiful day. Mrs. Stone cleaned the sitting room and sink room today. I have felt nearly sick today from a hard cold. I worked all day nevertheless. After tea, I helped Mrs. Stone put down the sitting room carpet. I went down to the Post Office and to the news Office for the Sunday School Advocate. I being very tired retired early. Father Griswold up to Mother today. He thinks her to be in a worse situation than ever before. 05/25 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I worked until 7 o'clock in the evening to finish off a dozen hats. After tea, I sharpened some Pea Bush. I broke the crystal to my watch last night while putting down the sitting room carpet and carried it in my hand as I went to the shop this morning until I got to Robinson's store where I got it repaired. Susan Hancock came on the evening train to make a visit to Father Griswold. Report from Miss Barber had a letter from ___ of the 7th regiment that they were soon coming home. 05/26 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop but came home earlier than usual to bush my peas. After doing it, I pulled weeds from my strawberry bed until nearly dark and then, to let Gussie go to the Sewing Society at Dr. Brown's, I came in to take care of the baby. Louisa came in however, and sat by him to let me go see if Mr. Barnum on the corner wanted by yard grass for the mowing. I did not see him but while returning, met Nathaniel Gable and he came in with me to have me refer to my journal and see when it was that George Davis enlisted. We found it was about September 1st, 1864. Gussie drew Georgie up home this P.M. to see Mother. She found her quite cheerful though poorly. 05/27 SATURDAY - Cloudy during the day; rain just at night. I left the shop about 4 o'clock and came home and borrowed Mr. Pond's scythe and mowed my dooryard. Jacob Fry (one of my shop mates) came and raked it up, I having promised it to him for raking up. After tea, I went downtown and brought home a pair of patent leather boots to try them tomorrow if I concluded to keep them. A fellow from New York State named Nichols was run away with this evening in Delay Street this evening. Upon turning the corner at Liberty St., the wagon struck a tree at which time the horse broke one hid leg. The last seen of him, a fellow was leading him up West Street and was reported that he was going toward the Bogg's to kill him. The leg was so badly broken that it dangled about and he was obliged to go on three legs. 05/28 SUNDAY - Rain last night, lowery all day and some fine rain. Gussie went to church in the morning and I to Sunday School in the P.M. I acted as Secretary and Treasurer of the School and arranged with David Bradley to take my place at the library. The Superintendent (George Starr) wishes me to take Brother W. B. Bradley's place as Secretary-Treasurer. I am acting in that capacity though no appointment has yet been made since Brother Bradley's death by the Board of Officers and Teachers. I distributed the Sunday School Advocates for the first time since Brother Bradley's death. After tea, Father came down and brought a bottle to get some ale for Mother. I went up home with him to see Mother. I found Mr. and Mrs. Squires there. I went into the parlor and sang with Bell a little while she played and came home again about 7 o'clock. I mailed a Harper's Weekly to George in the evening. I sent it to the Post Office by Fanny as I did not go to meeting. I took care of baby and let Gussie go to the 2nd Congregational Church in West Street to hear Dr. Hanley deliver a discourse on the Protestant Episcopal Church. 05/30 MONDAY - Rainy this morning. The wind got around into the west after dinner and the sun shone for a while, but just at night and in the evening it was cloudy again. I drew for my last two weeks work $62.00, the largest wages I ever earned before. I worked until 7 o'clock before coming home to tea. After tea, I returned the grindstone up to Father Griswold's barn for Mr. Carlson to grind our scythes that he might mow his door yard. While we were grinding, David Bradley was putting casters on Mother Griswold's kitchen table legs. We were until dark grinding the scythes and sickles. I then went to market, at the same time taking my new patent leather boots Mr. Benedict's (where I bought them) and paid for them $6.50 and left them to have some steel nails put into the heels on the outer edges. Mr. Cocking brought me some pepper plants this morning and I set them out at noon. He brought some for Father Griswold at the same time with some eggplants. I got another package of Sunday School Advocates for Sunday School. 05/31 TUESDAY - Pleasant and warmer. I worked hard all day until 7 o'clock in the evening. When I came home to tea, I found Miss English, our old nurse, talking with wife and baby. She just called for a few minutes; she is now nursing Dwight Roger's wife. Mr. Pond has been trimming up his sidewalk today. I went to market in the evening and walked up the street with John Cosier. 05/31 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warm. On my way to work in the morning I left my 5 gallon can at B&N's for 5 gallons of oil. I paid him for it and he sent it up before noon. From there I went up to S.G. Bailey's Jewelry Store to get a hand on my watch which got off last night. He put it on and charged me nothing. Mr. Fowler sent up 3 lbs. of butter today. While we were drinking tea, Father came down with a bittersweet vine for Mother Griswold and wanted to borrow Father Griswold's scythe. I helped him grind it. Also Mr. Pond's which I intend to use tomorrow. I drew some ale and Father and I took a glass. I went to market in the evening. When I returned, I drew some more ale for Mr. Cocking.
1865-05
Western Connecticut State University
Horace Purdy Journal April 1865 Entry
13 pgs
04/01 SATURDAY - Pleasant in the morning, but cloudy again in the evening. We had but one dozen to finish at the shop; I got through before dinner. I brought home a little paint for the edge of some picture frames and painted them after which I went to caucus at 3 P.M. in the basement of Concert Hall. David P. Nichols and Mr. H. Tweedy were nominated for our two representatives. L. C. Hoyt was chairman of the meeting. Edwin Harris and John Tweedy were appointed Tellers. I expected Aaron Mallett of Redding here to get his interest money, but for some reason he did not come. After I returned from Caucus, I helped Father Griswold trim some trees in his yard and move a bird house from under the cornice of his house to the sweet apple tree near the barn. When I came from Caucus however, I went to B. Cable's and got a large sized clothes dryer to use in place of the one we have been using which was a small size. The small one I am going to store until Mr. Wing or his agent calls for it. In the evening, I went to Dr. Buckley's and got a change of medicine as Georgie has some indications of croup. I went to market (after talking with Dr. and his son about politics, the war, etc.) and bought some oysters for our breakfast. By the evening Post, gold is 151. Gussie went to the dressmakers (Mrs. McNeil) in the P.M. Louise took care of the baby. Bell called this P.M.; Mother is no worse. Our new neighbor, Mr. Pond moved in today. 04/02 SUNDAY - Pleasant. Father Griswold preached for us today. I attended in the morning. His text was 1st Corinthians 3:21.22.23rd. George Cosier went up for Mother in the morning and brought her to church. After class meeting, he carried her to our house where she stayed in the P.M and to tea. I came home to let Gussie go in the afternoon. At evening meeting time, I went to the church and borrowed Mr. Levi W. Bartram's team to take Mother home with. Mr. S.W. Platt, the Newtown Methodist preacher gave a scientific temperance lecture at our church. He illustrated it by charts. The other churches were closed and all attended the lecture. A collection was taken up to help pay for the Newtown parsonage as this is the object for which he now lectures. I mailed the Harper's weekly to George as I went to the church. At the close of the lecture, the telegraphic news just received from General Grant was read to the audience. After three days hard fighting, our troops have been completely successful. Sheridan is sweeping everything before him capturing large numbers of prisoners. Grant has ordered an advance of his whole line and has captured the enemy's whole line of defenses. As the news was read the audience could with difficulty restrain their joy. President Lincoln is at City Point and directed the above dispatches to be sent. Julia Pine died this morning. She has been nearly or about a year been sick with consumption. 04/03 MONDAY - Election day ' Republican majority ' 208. The papers today confirmed the reports received by telegraph last evening. About noon we received by telegraph the intelligence that that Richmond and Petersburg had fallen with 40,000 prisoners. About 4 P.M. the cannon was fired 36 times in honor of the event. At the firing on Ira's Hill, I saw Andrew Knox for the first time to speak with him since his return from the army. He was 1st Lieutenant in the 1st regiment Heavy Artillery, C.V. His time of service had expired. He left his regiment near Petersburg. I have had no work in the shop. I worked around the house a great part of the day. Mr. Mallett of Redding came about noon for his latest interest on $1,100. I paid him $59.40 having paid his tax for him on the amount last summer, which was $6.60 the same being deducted from the 66 dollars. Later 10 o'clock at night I have just returned from Concert Hall where we have had a gathering to rejoice over victory in the field and to receive returns from the election. We have heard from nearly all the state and we have increased Union majorities and falling off of Copperhead majorities in strong Copperhead towns. The indications are that Buckingham is elected by a larger majority than ever before. By the evening post, gold is 145. During the day, it varied from 141 to 149 closing as above named. 04/04 Tuesday - I had work all day in the shop. On my way to work in the morning I took Gussie's shoes to C.H. Reed's to be mended. Buckingham is elected by about a 12,000 majority. The war news is good. The evening paper quotes gold at 146. 13,000 rebel prisoners have arrived at City Point. General Lee with what is left of his army is skedaddling and strewing the roads with the implements of war. Grant is in hot pursuit. Our prisoners are released. Libby is empty. Hatters' meeting in the evening. I got excused and left before it was over. Julia Pine was buried at 2 o'clock this afternoon. Gussie attended. We made up a purse at the shop for William Pine of about $4.20 with which to pay funeral expenses for his wife. 04/05 WEDNESDAY - Hager's barn was burned about 3 o'clock this morning with a wagon and sleigh and hay cutter belonging to Dr. Brewer and some books belonging to Mr. Robertson. We were limited in our work in the shop today. I came home about 3 o'clock and washed down my fruit trees with a solution of Salsoda. A fight today between two Dutch merchant tailors named Zarkowski and Harris. Two of their men took up the cause of their employers and had a clinch in Parmalee & Bradley's store. They were immediately parted by Bradley and Charles Hadden taking each of them one and taking them away. Thomas Stone was yesterday arrested by A.B. Hull (the freight agent at the depot) for adultery. His case was examined today and his trial put over to the next court and he was bound over under $500 bonds. John Bussing cut my hair at the shop after I finished my work. While we were at tea, Bell came in and said that Mother wished to see me up there as soon as I could come after tea as her business was important. I accordingly went up. It was about a gravestone for John and having his, Abagail's and William's remains moved from Mill Plain here to the cemetery. We concluded to let the matter rest for the present until a more convenient time. By the evening post, gold is quoted at 152. There is a rumor that Jeff Davis has been captured and that Abraham Lincoln has been taken by rebels at Richmond, but these need yet to be authenticated. I mailed the Jeffersonian to George in the evening. On account of going up home, I did not get to class. 04/06 THURSDAY - Rain a little at times, sunshine and wind. No work in the shop. I bought a little more Salsoda and finished washing my trees. Set out some horse radish roots under the drain. I filled out where plant had died in my Trompe de Grand strawberry bed. Raked leaves off the door yard. Sawed my 4 foot wood in the woodhouse once in two and piled it away in a smaller compass to make room for Mr. Cocking's wood. Gussie received a letter from Cousin Eliza in California. I sorted over the apples in the cellar. I went to market in the evening and walked up West Street as I came home with Rev. Mr. Shepard (Universalist clergyman). Good news in the evening post. Grant has cut off Lee's retreat. Gold at 150. 04/07 FRIDAY - No sunshine during the day, a little rain. There were enough rays from the setting sun to produce a rainbow. The grass has taken a fresh start today. It looks fresh and green. I have been at work on Full Stiff Drab Brush hates today. The papers tell us today the Sheridan has occupied the R. Road junction at Burkesville ahead of General Lee and Grant being close in Lee's rear there is all about a certainty of the destruction of the rebel army under Lee. Gussie went to the Sewing Society at Mrs. Alberta Hoyt's in the evening. Before retiring, I commenced a letter to George. News by the Evening Post that Sheridan has handsomely whipped Lee again near Burkesville and captured six rebel generals, a large number of prisoners, cannon, etc. Gold 147 by the Post. 04/08 SATURDAY - pleasant and a little cooler. About a half days work for the men, but I being on Brush hats had all that I could do. The news by the Evening Post last night was fully confirmed by the morning papers. Gussie made mince pies today. After tea, Louise came down and stayed with the baby and let Gussie go with me to market as she wanted to do some shopping. I bought meat, oyster crackers and two collars for myself. Nothing new by the evening papers. Gold quoted at about 149. After we came home, Fanny came in to make some arrangements about presenting books to the Sunday School Superintendents tomorrow. Brother Pegg and wife came to George Starr's this P.M. by freight train. He is to preach for us tomorrow. 04/09 SUNDAY - pleasant but cool; a heavy frost last night. Fanny and I went to church early and took the books for presentation to the Sunday School Superintendents from the parsonage into the Sunday School room. At noon, they were presented by Brother Pegg. 'The History of Methodism' in two volumes was presented to Brother William White and George Starr, Supt. and Asst. Supt. 'Biographical Sketches of Methodist Ministers', imitation of Moroccan Gilt price $3.00 was presented to Sisters Holmes and Bartrams, female Supt. and Asst. Supt. It being Conference Sunday and Brother Hill being too sick to go to conference or to preach, Brother Pegg came and preached for us. Text in the morning, Hebrews 12th, first 3 words of the second verse, viz. Looking Unto Jesus. Sacrament in the P.M. After the morning service Mary Purdy came up and stayed with the baby to let Gussie go to the presentation at noon and the Sacrament in the P.M. I went over in the morning and engaged her to come. She stayed and went with Gussie in the evening to hear Brother Pegg preach. I stayed at home with Georgie. I finished a letter to George and sent it with a Harper's weekly and yesterday's tribune to the Post Office by Gussie as she went to meeting. A prayer meeting was appointed to Mother's at 2 o'clock. 04/10 MONDAY - A day of rejoicing, General Robert E. Lee yesterday surrendered to General Grant. This morning's papers brought us the news. Stores and factories were immediately closed and notwithstanding the rain, the streets were filled with people all carrying happy faces. The bells were rung and cannon fired; the Brass Band and Drum Corps was out. In the evening, Concert Hall was illuminated and a large enthusiastic crowd assembled. Music by the Glee Club and Drum Corps. and Brass Band. Speeches were made, etc. I bought some sperm candles and illuminated father Griswold's cupola. The girls helped and also illuminated the whole house. We lighted up the lower part of our house also. I went up home and got Bell to come down and stay with baby to let Gussie go with me to Concert Hall. The evening mail brought us a letter from George. Bell stayed all night. Teachers' meeting in the evening. Mary Purdy came over before tea, and I cut her hair for her. 04/11 TUESDAY - Cloudy in the morning, a little sunshine in the middle of the day, cloudy again in the evening with a chilling atmosphere. On my way to the shop this morning, I called and paid Fred Bradley $1.00 for the sperm candles I bought there yesterday to illuminate Father Griswold's cupola. I also went to the Jeffersonian office and gave Ashley the item of Lieutenant Colonel Wilcoxsen's death for publication. I worked late on some brush hats in the shop. It was about 7 o'clock when I came home to tea. After tea, I went to market and bought some table salt. There was an adjourned Hatter's meeting, but I was too tired to attend and came home as soon as the mail was opened. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. At the Sunday School Teacher's Annual Meeting last evening, the same officers were elected except the male Supt. and Asst. which was only changed. George Starr was made Supt. and William S. White, the former Supt. made Asst. 04/12 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy most of the day. The sun shone a little after dinner though faintly. I am completely tire out finishing badly cleaned Brush hats. I burned one a little on the brim this P.M. and may have it to pay for. I stopped and would not take any more of them. I came home with the headache. An article in the Jeffersonian from George speaking of the death of Lieut. Col. Wilcoxsen of his regiment who died in Tallahassee, Florida in the rebels' hands, a prisoner of war. Inflammation set in his wounds and caused his death. After tea, I finished my letter to George and mailed with it in the evening a New York tribune of Monday and the Jeffersonian rolled up together. It is reported that William Seward, the Secretary of State in Washington is dead. He died from injuries received from being thrown out of a carriage. It is also reported that Lynchburg, Va. is taken by General Thomas. Gold by Evening Post is quoted at 145. Father Griswold returned from conference (which was held in the 17th Street Church in New York City) by the evening train. 04/13 THURSDAY - Pleasant. D.L. Chichester called the shop this forenoon to get an advance on some hats that were heavy, called B&W Hats. It is certainly harder and heavier work than we ordinarily have and we ought to have more for doing it. But as we had said nothing about it when trade was good, we thought it an unfavorable time now to ask an advance just as trade was over and a prospect of dull times coming on. It being late before I got to the shop this morning, I did but little during the day, only 1 dozen and then came home. Robert Lewis was off today, has gone to Lacey & Sheathars. I bought glass for two picture frames at O.H. Swift's. Gussie drew the baby over to Mrs. Lynes this P.M. to see Mrs. Cocking. She stayed to tea. Hattie Mills came to see us before she returned. She stayed until evening when Gussie went into the street with her. I understand that Theodore Flagler and Fred Wildman arrived home last evening, their term of service of one year having expired. 04/14 FRIDAY - A beautiful day. Fast day, no work in the shop on that account. I did some grafting for Father Griswold and myself. Before breakfast, I carried home the bottle of cut rubber and other ingredients called cement which a long time ago I borrowed of John Cosier to mend my rubber boots. I got Mr. McDonald's horse and carriage and carried Mother to church and home again. After dinner Father and Mother Griswold took the same team and rose over to Mill Plain to engage butter for the summer for themselves and us of Chris Fowler. They also spoke for Mrs. Cocking. Mr. Fowler agreed to furnish us ___ . At the same time that they went over there, Harriet, Gussie and myself went up to the cemetery to repair the flower beds and set out some plants. On my return I brought home a 3 # pound shad at 20 cents/lb. from Avery Raymond's, our first this season. It came from the North River. I finished grafting for myself before tea. In the evening, I intended to attend the Union League, but the room was not lighted, so I waited for the mail and came home. Gold 146. 04/15 SATURDAY - Pleasant in the morning; began to rain about 4 P.M. I finished grafting for Father Griswold in the morning, and while at it about 9 o'clock, a dispatch was received saying that president Lincoln was shot last night while at Ford's theatre in Washington. He died this morning about the same time the President was shot, an assassin, perhaps the same one, went to Secretary Seward's room where he lay sick in bed and cut his throat at the same time lunging his knife into his side. As he left, he stabbed ___. Upon the receipt of the news, all the bells commenced tolling. Flags are at half-mast and many houses are dressed in mourning. A general sorrow pervades the people and indignation is aroused anew against the rebels. A later dispatch this evening states that the murderer has been caught. I raked off my garden and burned the rubbish. I dug around my trees and destroyed worms. Mr. and Mrs. Lynes having come home for the season today, Robert and wife returned to their rooms and furniture. Her sister, Mrs. Courtney is visiting with them. She is to occupy our bedroom upstairs while she stays. Mrs. Lynes gave Mrs. Cocking a basket of eggs as she came away. When she got here with them she gave Gussie a dozen of them. Later, 10 o'clock in the evening I have been downtown. Received 2 letters from George, Gussie one and Harriet one. There was no evening papers come. There are rumors that Secretary Seward is not dead but that his son is and then right the reverse that the secretary is dead and not the son. Taking all the reports together we are yet in the dark as to the safety of Seward. While we were eating dinner this afternoon, Harriet Purdy called. Aunt Louisa called also a short time afterwards. 04/16 SUNDAY - Pleasant, a shower about 6 P.M. Mr. Stone, the Baptist preacher, preached for us in the morning. Gussie attended; I stayed with the baby. Father Griswold being home, he exchanged with Mr. Stone. Gussie came home at noon and I went to Sunday School and to preaching in the P.M. Brother Hill preached for the first in quite a time. He has been prostrate with inflammatory rheumatism. He looked like a ghost as he stood at the desk and preached. The church was draped in mourning at the death of President Lincoln. The galleries were hung in black. The pulpit was covered in a large American flag, draped in mourning. A solemn mournful feeling pervades the people. Father Purdy was at church and came to our house to tea. Mr. Cocking and myself bought a Sunday Times to get further news about the murder at Washington. The paper cost 20 cents. Henry E. Comes and Allison Smith went to Brewster Station for them. They sold like hotcakes even at that price. I completed my letter to George and Gussie mailed it as she went to meeting in the evening. A Harper's weekly and yesterday's Tribune also at the same time. I had dreadful sick headache and could not go out in the evening. There was a Union meeting at the 1st Church in the evening; I was too sick to go. I went to bed. Fanny came down and took care of Georgie. 04/17 Monday - Pleasant but a little cool. I am over my sick headache and have worked all day. I bought a New York Tribune to send to George and mailed it this evening. The papers today give an account of the taking of Mobile with a large number of cannon and 3,000 prisoners. Ezra Wildman was off from the shop today. Theodore Flagler called at the shop today. He has been in the Navy for one year. He came home one day last week. Harriet Mills called in the evening. The shop today was dressed in mourning by hanging black and white festooned together out the trimming room windows and the factory flag trimmed in black hung over the front entrance. Secretary Seward is better and his son Fred out of danger. The assassins not yet caught. 04/18 Tuesday - A little colored boy about 10 years old came to the door just as we were retiring about 11 o'clock and wanted to stay overnight. I refused and soon after heard him crying near Mr. Pond's east gate. I went to him and he said his feet were cold. My sympathies were aroused and after considerable questioning as to where he was from and how old he was, I took him in, gave him some supper and let him sleep in the lounge. His name is James Martin. He has no parents living. He is from Peekskill and is the same boy who about a year and a half ago stayed all night with us. I called him up this morning and set him at work sawing some wood for me to pay for his lodging, supper and breakfast which I thought he could do as well as me anyway. When breakfast was ready, I called him in to eat. After which I gave him as good a written recommendation as I could to help him get employment with some farmer. He promised to go into the farming districts and with his paper to get employment. I went to the factory and soon saw him with two other Negroes on the railroad tracks after having been kicked out of the boiler room by Hiram Haddam the engineer. I send Orlando Morris, the errand boy, after him. He brought him up into the finishing room where I talked to him and took away the papers which I gave him in the morning, not wishing the little vagabond as he proves to be to carry around a recommendation with my signature. It was cloudy in the morning, rainy in the middle of the day and cleared off before night. It is reported in the evening post that the man who attempted to murder Secretary Seward has been caught. An extra meeting of the Union League was held to make arrangements for the observance of tomorrow which is the burial of President Lincoln. All business is to be suspended and stores to be closed from 11 o'clock. What further was done at the meeting, I know not as I left before business was over on account of the lateness of the hour. They concluded, however, I believe to call a meeting of the citizens tomorrow forenoon and have it a citizen's affair rather than confine it to the League itself. I bought a shad for Mother Griswold and when Fanny came home she bought another, so I took one of them off their hands. 04/19 WEDNESDAY - The anniversary of the Wooster Guards tendering their services to Governor Buckingham under president Lincoln's call for 75,000 troops for 3 months in April, 1861. NO! It was 4 years ago yesterday and 4 years ago today that the Guards left home on the afternoon train for the rendezvous at New Haven. It is also the anniversary of the first blood shed in the revolutionary war at Lexington as well as the first of this war by the killing of a Mss. Soldier in Baltimore. President Lincoln was buried today or rather the funeral obsequies were held in Washington. All over the land services were held in churches and a sermon preached. Our churches as usual on all such public occasions united. The service was held in the First Congregational Church. Father Griswold preached the sermon or delivered the discourse as he had no text. At 11 o'clock, a meeting of citizens was held at Concert Hall to make arrangements about badges, a procession, etc. They voted to wear a badge of mourning during the day. (The Union League or its members are to wear one for 30 days.) and after the service in the church which commenced at 12 o'clock (the same hour as the services at the Presidential Mansion) a procession was decided upon which according to arrangements was formed at the church at the close of the service about 2 o'clock in the following order Band (Drum Corps), soldiers who had served in the war, ladies, next gentlemen and ladies and brought up with gentlemen. The procession was a long one. We marched down to the Courthouse and then up to Franklin Street and back again to the place of starting where we broke up in the churchyard with a benediction from Bishop Williams of the Episcopal Church. In the morning, I put coal ashes around my trees and decorated the front door and piazza with emblems of mourning. I mailed a Jeffersonian to George in the evening. Gussie put Georgie in his carriage and drew him down to Brother Hill's where she witnessed the procession. I went into the street in the evening, but there being no evening papers, we got no news. Bell came down at noon for some vinegar. Smith Terrell was this morning married to Margaret Dibble. Mr. Townsend officiated. They went off on the train. Saul Mallory was marshal of the procession at A. Lincoln's funeral, or rather at the demonstration made here at Danbury at the time of the funeral. The day has been lovely. In the evening in the post office I paid my taxes, $13.79 to Charles H. Crosby. 04/20 THURSDAY - A little sunshine during the forenoon, but after dinner, it clouded over and commenced raining about 5 o'clock. I have had no work in the shop today and have worked around the house. I trimmed the edges of my walks in the yard, made the flower bed by the piazza, set out a few Poor House Seedling Strawberry Plants which Mr. Cocking brought me to fill out my bed where a few had died out. Mr. Cocking took two dozen perpetual bearing raspberry plants from Father Griswold to set out over to Mr. Lynes. They are 50 cents per dozen. He is to let Father Griswold have tomatoes and eggplants in exchange. After dinner, I took a nap and then put out some myrtle in the tubs for that purpose in the yard. I went to the Post Office in the evening and got a letter from George from St. Augustine, Florida. I also received by ail the insurance policy for renewal from Aaron Mallett, West Redding. He holds the policy as additional security with a mortgage on my place for $1,100. Before retiring, I helped Gussie commence a shell frame for John's picture. It rained hard when we retired. 04/21 FRIDAY - Cloudy and misty but only a little rain. I have not felt well today and did not go to the shop. I went into the street in the forenoon and talked with O. H. Swift about buying out his business picture framing, stationary, books, etc. After dinner I lay on the lounge and took a nap. About 3 o'clock, I went downtown again and helped Mr. Swift carry a large picture of the deathbed of Daniel Webster (which he had been framing) up to Mr. R. White's. I then went to the shirt factory to see Edith Newman about making a general exchange for George of pictures. Letters, etc. for which purpose I came downtown. She and George had held an intimate correspondence since he has been in the army and now she has engaged herself to be married to one Samuel Main of Georgetown. George wishes me to make the exchange of letters, pictures, etc. She promised to come to our house next Monday evening and bring the letters, etc. to make the exchange. I stayed with baby in the evening and let Gussie go to the sewing society up to Mrs. Fanton's on Balmforth Avenue. While she was away, I commenced a letter to George. 04/22 SATURDAY - It rained hard last night. Cloudy but a very little rain before dinner. It cleared off about 10 o'clock. There is but a few men left in the shop, they having left and gone to Tweedy Brothers, Mallory's, and Sheather's & Lacey's to get more work and better prices. What men there are left have all the work they can do. At 4 P.M. a meeting was held in Concert Hall to nominate a man for Postmaster in the coming term. Dr. Brown was selected by a majority of over 50 above all others. Fanny stayed with Georgie in the evening to let Gussie got to the stores with me. Elias Fay's remains came in the evening train and were taken over to his father's. He died last Monday April 17that Chatfield Minnesota. News came today that Fred Vintz was dead and buried. He was wounded and taken to Harewood Hospital, Washington, D. C. where he died with a fever. We sat up until 12 o'clock working on a shell picture frame. 04/23 SUNDAY - Pleasant this morning. Our new presiding Elder, Nathaniel Mead preached for us this morning. A love feast was held a t 9 o'clock this morning. We rose too late to attend. Gussie went to church in the forenoon while I stayed with the baby. She came home after the morning service and I went down to Sunday School. It took so long to put on anew the numbers which were off from some of the books that I did not go to church in the afternoon. When I got there at noon, I found Saul Main in the seat by the library with Edward Barnum. He is to be married to Edith Newman before long. Next month, I believe. After supper, I finished my letter to George. There were three sheets full. A Mr. Dorman who preached for the 1st Congregational Church 4 weeks ago and also again today preached this evening at their church and the 3 other congregations, viz. 2nd Congregational, Baptist and ours united and I went to hear him. It was a eulogy on Abraham Lincoln. His text was Revelations 18:8. It was a good thing. It was fitting the occasion of the nation's grief and he did justice to Lincoln. As I went to church, I mailed a letter and a Tribune to George. The Harper's weekly did not come yesterday as usual. I expect them tomorrow or the next day. 04/24 MONDAY - I was informed wrong about Elias Fay's remains coming home Saturday evening. It did not arrive, but is expected every day. The day has been pleasant but cool; a heavy mist last night. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. I had all I could do in the shop and worked until sundown. Georgie is cutting his teeth and is very worrisome. Gussie went in the evening to the Baptist Church to hear Mrs. Bingham, the southern refugee speak. While she was gone I sorted Edith's letters from other letters of George's in order to return them to her in exchange for his in her possession as he requested me. I somewhat expected her here this evening to make the exchange. She partially promised me that she would come. 04/25 TUESDAY - Pleasant. Elias Fay's remains came on the train last evening and were buried this afternoon at 2 o'clock. On my way home from work tonight, I borrowed a pair of trimming shears of Charles Hull to make a knuckle fender for my irons. I returned them in the evening. The Harper's Weeklies came today. I sent one to George and mailed it with a letter I finished after tea. Edith Newman sent the old letters she received from George with pictures, relics, etc. including a white handkerchief with blood stains on it from his wound received in the trenches before Fort Wagner on James Island. Her Mr. Saul brought them and took hers written to George in exchange. Mrs. Burr Bradley called on Gussie this afternoon. I bought some halibut for my breakfast for the first time this season. 04/26 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warmer than yesterday. Nothing unusual in the day. When I came home from work at night, I found the house locked up and wife and baby gone with Mother Griswold's folks up to Mrs. Bartram's. I got my own supper and was about starting for class when Mrs. Bartram drove up with them all. Just at that time Sarah Purdy came along and took Georgie and came in to the house with him. Mrs. Bartram also came in. The consequence was that I did not go to class, though I rode down with Mrs. Bartram to get my Jeffersonian and to mail one to George which I did, putting it up and directing it in the Jeffersonian Office. 04/27 THURSDAY - Warmer than yesterday. It has been like midsummer. News by telegraph this noon that J. Wilkes Booth the murderer of President Lincoln was shot dead in a swamp in Maryland. They were doubtless obliged to shoot him in order to get him at all. He was shot through the head. The cherry blossoms are coming out fine. Some trees were blossomed out full yesterday. Others have blossomed today. When I left the shop I came by way of George Hull's and got some pieces of tin for upright partitions in our Sunday School library and went to the church and put a part of them in before I came home. After tea, I took the lantern, went up to Father Griswold's barn and made a pair of cleats for a drawer which I brought home from the Sunday School room which was not of any use there and intend to put it up under my bench at the shop. After I did this, I went up home to see if I could get Father to come and make my garden for me. He is too busy in the shop and cannot. Mrs. Cocking's sister, Mrs. Courtney went home to Fort Hamilton, Long Island this morning. In the evening, Father Griswold wanted to borrow $10.00 until next week. I let him have it and $4.90 of it to balance my account with him. He gave me back 10 cents leaving my due borrowed money $5.00. 04/28 Friday - Very warm again for the season. I put up my dinner at the breakfast table but finally concluded to stay at home and commence making my gardens as I wanted to dig up a certain spot and plant dwarf peas as well as make the flower borders which I preferred to do myself rather than hire it done as I could suit myself much better though I could have earned in the shop more than enough to pay a man for doing it. I accomplished the task I laid out to do though working in the sun gave me a severe headache which I was obliged to endure until the heat of the day was over. After tea, I carried a drawer down to the shop which I intend to put up under my bench and then came home by way of Avery Raymond's and bought a shad for 12 cents per lb. I bought a New York Daily Times with the account in it of the capture of J. Wilkes Booth and one of his accomplices named Herold. They were found secreted in a barn near Port Royal on the Rappahannock in Virginia. Herold gave himself up but Booth would not surrender. He said they would never take him alive. They set fire to the barn to drive him out. As he was coming out and in the act of shooting, one of the men shot him through the neck. He lived only two or three hours after being wounded. He murdered President Lincoln with a bullet and came to his end in the same manner. Gussie mailed the New York Times to George as she went to the Sewing Society in the evening up to Mrs. Fantonӳ on Balmforth Avenue. I stayed with Georgie while she was away and in meantime, David Bradleyӳ wife, Frank Bouton, and Mary Purdy called to see her. I heard a Bob oҠWhite this morning for the first time this season. I planted dwarf peas and some radishes. I commenced a letter to George while staying with Georgie in the evening. 04/29 SATURDAY - Showery through the day, though there was a little sunshine in the P.M. I put up my drawer under my bench at the shop at noon time. While we were drinking tea, it thundered hard. It rained hard in the evening. I went to the church and finished putting up the tin partitions between every ten books in the library. I worked at it until 4 oӣlock; when I came home the stars were shining. The wind has blown hard all day. 04/30 SUNDAY - Pleasant but colder. Gussie went to church this morning. I stayed with Georgie. She came home at noon and I went to Sabbath School and to the quarterly Sunday School Concert at the 1st Church. Sunday School books were taken in but none were given out. After tea, Father came and gave me the particulars of Uncle Stephenӳ death of the 2nd Connecticut Light Battery at the Battle of Mobile when the city was captured. He went safely through the battle and while helping to carry the wounded from the field stepped on a secreted torpedo which blew up taking clean from his body one leg and badly shattering the other. He lived about an hour. Fanny came down and stayed with Georgie and we went up to the cemetery leaving Father with her. I mailed a Harperӳ Weekly to George ֠wrote a little in a letter I had begun to George speaking of Uncle Stephen's death. We being tired when we returned from the cemetery neither went to church in the evening.
1865-04
Western Connecticut State University