Horace Purdy Journal April 1867 Entry
13pgs
APRIL 01 MONDAY - Showery during the day. State election. I did not go into the shop. I went into the street about 8:30 o'clock and got $4.00 towards the $5.00 I sent George to come home and vote. I then went down to the courthouse and voted as soon as the polls were opened. I returned home and soon George went down. I went with him to Mr. Harris' to pay him $10.00 which he did. I then went into Burritt & Stone's with him where he bought muslin and bosoms for two shirts. He then went down and voted. I went with him. After dinner, he came down and I went over to Mr. Warren's to help William put up stoves and curtain fixtures. He commences housekeeping today. After this we went into the street where I bought a dozen tumblers and 10 cents worth of nuts for our rag bee tonight. He went home to dress for the evening and I went home and cracked the nuts. I paid Father Griswold my interest money at noon - $14.22. George went over and took tea with William Warren and came from there with Lottie Keeler, Warren and wife to our house. Carrie Hoyt (formerly Francis) and Sister Sarah, John Bouton and Frank, Fanny, Harriet and Louise were present. Just before 9 o'clock, we went down to Military Hall where the Republicans were gathered to hear the returns from the election by telegraph. We could learn nothing definite and we soon came home. It was about 11 o'clock when our party broke up. We had two kinds of cake, six kinds of nuts for refreshments after sewing the rags. APRIL 02 TUESDAY - Pleasant. I have worked in the shop all day. The democrats claim the election. As I came from work, I went to Brush & Griffith's and got a calves' liver. After tea, I went to Hatters' Meeting and paid fines and dues up to April 10th amounting to $1.45. The Copperheads have been firing their cannon and are having a glorification this evening at Concert Hall over their success at the polls ' the first Democratic victory here for 14 years. APRIL 03 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I saw two robins this morning for the first time. George returned to Brooklyn this morning. He came this way and called as he went to the depot. I gave him some apples to put in his bag. Mrs. Cocking came here today and paid their rent. She also brought a present to Georgie from her sister, Mrs. Courtney from Fort Hamilton, Long Island ' material for a dress and sack, very pretty. Anniversary of General Grant's entry into Richmond, the advance column commanded by General Weitzel. I bought a half dozen oranges from a wagon in the street for 18 cents. John Freeland sent his boy for 2 lbs. more of coffee today. Gussie let them have only one pound as we could spare no more. I stayed at home in the evening. APRIL 04 THURSDAY - A lovely day. I worked as usual in the shop. When I came from work at night, I found Uncle Jesse and Harriet Mills here to tea. Bell was with us too. Uncle went up home with Bell to stay all night. The passenger trains of cars which should have arrived last evening at 8 o'clock did not get in until nearly 3 o'clock this morning. They ran off the track at Ridgefield Station. Received a bill of Sunday School Journals for 6 months of Carlton & Porter. I sent the money for one year from last October, but they could not supply the back numbers so they returned half the money, 17 cents of which was enclosed. APRIL 05 FRIDAY - Showery in the morning. The sun shone but little until just at night. I worked as usual in the shop. Gussie went to market in the evening. I helped Mr. Pond in his barn repair a clock. APRIL 06 SATURDAY - Pleasant, but a little cooler. I worked as usual in the shop. I bought a dozen oranges of a peddler at the shop. I borrowed some blocking cord at the shop and brought home to put through the pulley in Father Griswold's flag staff and with it to pull through the pulley a larger rope as a fixture to the staff with which to run up the flag when occasion may require. I have in view (as a reason for putting it in order) the running up of the flag next Tuesday the 9th inst., it being the second anniversary of the surrender of General Lee to Grant which closed the fighting of the Great Rebellion. Mr. Pond assisted me in doing it. I dug some horseradish this morning. Gussie grated a part of it; the remainder I carried over to Mr. Pond this evening. Gussie went into the street this evening while I stayed at home. Mrs. Powell from Brooklyn came by this evening to Father Griswold's. APRIL 07 SUNDAY - Pleasant but rather windy. After breakfast, I went down to the church and brought home one of the Sunday School Librarian's books which I had to write up anew before it could be used this noon. I did it while Gussie was at church this forenoon. Brother Crawford preached, we having no preacher today, it being Conference Sunday. Gussie came home at noon. I went down to Sunday School and stayed to prayer meeting in the P.M. Bell came here to tea and went to the 'Band of Hope' at 8 o'clock. After tea, Gussie took Georgie and went up to Mother Griswold's to visit with Mrs. Powell. Susan Brayman called, but finding her gone, went away again. Father called also and stayed a little time with me. Gussie stayed home in the evening and I went to church. Brother Crawford preached. APRIL 08 MONDAY - Pleasant and warm. I worked as usual in the shop. About 6 o'clock this evening, we had a little shower. I bought 38 feet of small rope and brought home to rig as halyards on Father Griswold's flag staff, preparatory to running up the flag tomorrow. I did it before tea. I attended Teacher's Meeting in the evening at the church. After the meeting, I recorded the minutes of the meeting and went up to Mother Griswold's to visit with Mrs. Powell before retiring. As I came home from work this evening, I paid David Chichester $3.00 for eight months' expressage for the Sunday School during the year, the other four months being payable to O. H. Swift who had the news business a part of the time. I intend to pay him $1.50 tomorrow. APRIL 09 THURSDAY - A beautiful day. The second anniversary of the surrender of the rebel General Lee and his army to General U. S. Grant. I ran up Father Griswold's flag this morning in honor of the day and kept it flying all day. I had a hard headache last night and this morning. I went to the shop, but my head ached so hard that I came home again without doing any work. I paid O.H. Swift for four months' expressage on Sunday School papers, etc. I felt better in the P.M. and raked the covering off my strawberry plants. Georgie has had a good time out of doors today and it has done him good, I believe. I went into the street in the evening and did some marketing, but was too late to go to class. Mrs. Powell and Harriet came in late in the evening, Mrs. Powell wishing to give us a call before she returns home. She starts tomorrow morning. I moved my vinegar barrel from the cellar to the wood house. Got the last of my 30 lbs. of butter from Mr. Pond's this today. Paid my taxes to collector A. G. Crosby by giving him the town order which William Peck gave me when I paid him the money on March 2nd. I wrote to the Book Room ordering for the Sunday School another copy of the Sunday School Journal for Harriet E. Mills. APRIL 10 WEDNESDAY - Cloudy all day with fine rain in the P.M. and evening. I worked in the shop as usual. I did not go out in the evening but stayed at home and wrote to Edwin to see what butter will cost in Elyria this summer. Gussie bought some salve of a no-armed man today to assist him. His arms were torn off in a woolen factory. APRIL 11 THURSDAY - Pleasant. As I went to my work this morning, I mailed the letter I wrote to Edwin last evening. There was a small allowance of work today; I finished mine about 3 P.M. and I came home and trimmed some of my apple trees and got the grapevine Father Griswold gave me last season (Concord) and divided it making two vines and set them out. After tea, I dug the few parsnips I had in the ground and gave Mr. Pond a part of them. Gussie went out in the street in the evening and I stayed home with Georgie. APRIL 12 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I went to the shop feeling badly from a headache and a disordered state of the stomach. I had to wait until about 10 o'clock for my work and then felt so badly that I stopped about 3 P.M. and went over to Sheather & Lacy's to get a new hatters' check from William Witherspoon, the trade secretary. As I left this place, I met Brother Webb on the walk going over to Bartram & Fanton's Sewing Machine Manufactory and I went over with him and was showed with him around the factory. It was quite interesting and I felt repaid for my visit there. Nellie Freeland sent down for a pound of tea today. After tea I helped Mr. Pond hoop a tub in his barn. Gussie went to the Sewing Society in the evening. Before retiring, I marked off the Sunday School papers which I today brought from the Express Office. Lent my map of New York City to Mr. Pond. Mother Griswold had a crazy turn last night. She was a raving maniac for a short time. APRIL 13 - As I went to work this morning, I went to Foster's Carpenter Shop to see if John Brayman could let me have some money on what he owes me. He promised to get some for me by Monday evening if he could. In case I could do no better, Mr. Crofut promised today to the $100 which I am to pay Mr. Pond for George next week. I came from work early and went over to see Mr. Cocking about letting me have the money I am in want of next week; he will do so if I can do no better. I went with him to look at his hot beds. He gave me three heads of lettuce which I divided with Father Griswold and Mr. Pond. Mrs. Cocking sent a nice bouquet to Gussie. Mother Purdy was with us to tea. Mother Griswold came in also. Bell came down after tea to go home with Mother. I went into the street in the evening to see D. B. Booth about George's bounty money. He offered to loan George $50 towards the bounty. Father Griswold came home in the evening. APRIL 14 SUNDAY - On account of Gussie wanting to take Georgie to church this P.M. to be baptized, I went to church in the morning and heard Brother Birch preach for the first time as our new preacher. I stayed to Sunday School which was a Sunday School prayer meeting after which Gussie made her appearance with Georgie. We tried to get him into the church in the afternoon, but he insisted upon going out in the open air to walk. As we could not get him in quietly, we gave it up and I came home with him while Gussie stayed to communion. Bell came in to tea and stayed with Georgie afterward to let Gussie and me walk over to Mr. Cocking's on Mr. Lynes' farm. When we returned from the walk, I wrote a short letter to George stating that I was obliged to pay Mr. Pond $100 on next Tuesday towards the Two Hundred he owes him. I mailed it as I went to evening meeting. Brother Birch preached again. Clark Beers and wife sat with me in my seat. APRIL 15 MONDAY - Warm, smoky and dusty. As I went to work this morning, I called on D. B. Booth about the $50 he promised to advance on the bounty due George. He cannot let me have it as he has not received certain money which he expected. We were limited in our work at the shop today, though mine lasted me nearly all day. I went to Father Griswold before tea about getting the hundred dollars and he promised to endorse for me to get it at the Danbury Bank. In the evening, I went to Fanton's Shirt Factory and got a blank note and filled it out and Father Griswold endorsed it and tomorrow either he or I is to get the money. This morning, I carried a half bushel of apples over to Mr. Pond for Mother Griswold and this evening, he paid me $1.00 for them. Bell came down today and took Georgie up home with her until night when she returned with him. Father came down this evening and borrowed our syringe to give Deacon Ambler an injection. He is not expected to live. George F. Bailey's Circus showed here today previous to starting on their tour for the season. APRIL 16 TUESDAY - It has rained all day and very hard a part of the time. I called to see John Brayman as I went to work this morning to see if he had secured any money for me. He said that he had $10 partly promised to him to let me have but it was very uncertain about it. He was to bring it to me this evening if he got it but he did not come. I came home for dinner and took a note with Father Griswold to the bank as I returned (Danbury Bank) and got $100 for three months I paid it to Mr. Pond this evening on my note of $200 for George and paid interest on the same up to April 5th. From this date, the note stands against me for $100. The rate of 8% on the $200 for three months was $4.00 which I paid and charged the same to George's account. I went into the street in the evening and got a letter from George in which he stated that this evening he would take his washing over to the Express Office and tomorrow I would receive it. Enclosed was 75 cents, 50 cents for Bell and 25 cents for me to pay for expressage home. The expressage, I intend to pay myself so I gave George credit for the 25 cents on his book account. Before retiring, I commenced a letter to George. APRIL 17 WEDNESDAY - It rained this morning but before night it cleared off and this evening has been lovely. I worked late in the shop. As I came from work, I went to the Express Office for George's bag of washing, but it had not come. I went again this evening upon arrival of the train and got it. It had in it a large bundle from Harriet for our folks and his shawl. A letter also was enclosed to me speaking of work, money matters, etc. Lottie Keeler has been here all day dressmaking for Gussie. I finished the letter I had commenced to George and enclosed the 25 cents which he had sent me to pay expressage, he requesting me to do so that he may use the same to pay for the return of the bag. As I had given him credit for it, I charged it to him as I enclosed it. Bell came down today and took Georgie home with her to get him out of the way of Gussie while she had so much work to do with Lottie. Deacon Benjamin Ambler died last night about 12 o'clock. I mailed the letter to George before retiring. APRIL 18 THURSDAY - Pleasant but cool. I worked as usual in the shop. Mr. Ambler was buried this P.M. at 2 o'clock. Gussie has been up home today and stayed until 7 P.M. She left Georgie up there for another night. I helped Mr. Pond build a mound in his yard this evening. I went to bed feeling about sick. APRIL 19 FRIDAY - Fast day. No work in the shop. I have had the headache badly today. I forked over my asparagus bed this morning. After dinner, I grafted some cherry trees for Mr. Smith across the way. This was all I felt able to do. I gave Mr. Alban Hurd some Russell Strawberry plants. Georgie has been up home for two nights. Bell brought him home this P.M. while Gussie was away at the cemetery. I have not been away from home today except across to Mr. Hurd's garden. Horace Crofut's daughter ran away from home yesterday (it is said on account of abuse from her stepmother). Her father and neighbors were looking for her nearly all of last night and this forenoon and finally found her at her aunt's in Bethel. APRIL 20 SATURDAY - I worked as usual in the shop. As I went in the morning, I left a pair of old shoes at Charles Reed's to be half-soled. As usual on Saturday, we were paid off. I received from the Great American tea Company several of their adverts printed by themselves. A shower in the evening accompanied by thunder and lightning. I stayed at home and Gussie went to market in the evening accompanied by Louise. APRIL 21 SUNDAY - I went to church and carried the Sunday School papers and returned to let Gussie attend the morning service. She came home about noon and as usual I went down to Sunday School and stayed to prayer meeting in the P.M. After supper we dressed Georgie and let him take a walk with us around into Spring Street, up on Mechanic's Avenue (Dr. Bennett's Hill) and then home. When we arrived, we found our wash woman's two children waiting to get the clothes to wash tomorrow. As I went to church in the evening, I mailed a Jeffersonian to George. Brother Birch preached a good sermon. After meeting, I took the lantern and went with Louise to the barn and killed their old hen turkey, as Father Griswold's folks are to make a dinner on the occasion of Harriet's wedding. APRIL 22 MONDAY - Cloudy and rain about 9 A.M. The sun, however, came out and after dinner it was pleasant and warm until about 4 o'clock when a tremendous thunder shower came up. I came home at noon (bringing as I came my old garden shoes from the shoe makers), there being no shop work in the P.M.I did some apple grafting for Father Griswold until the shower drove me off. Then I wrote to George saying that his clothes would be sent tomorrow. Bell came down with them this P.M. I took them to the Merchants Union Express Office in the evening; as I went, I mailed the letter. I put a few apples in the bag for him. Elias Stevens came today from New Haven. He and Harriet have been busy packing her things for moving to New Haven. They expect to be married on Wednesday morning and then off on the train. I walked from the post office this evening up Main Street with William and Louise Blair. APRIL 23 TUESDAY - Pleasant but cool. I worked late in the shop. When I came home, I found that, unknown to me, Harriet had been married. The affair was all over and I was invited to partake of the leavings for tea. They made a party and I was not only not invited but was not told that the wedding was to come off today. May Joy Go With Them. I went to market in the evening. Gussie went to bed sick. Georgie went up home today to stay overnight. APRIL 24 WEDNESDAY - Cold with rain and snow during the day. Elias Stevens and wife left for new haven this morning to spend their honeymoon and go to housekeeping on May 1st. I had work all day in the shop. I set out some lettuce plants before breakfast which Mr. Pond brought from Robert Cocking's last evening. Deacon Benjamin Ambler's widow died last night, surviving her late husband only a week and three hours. Edgar Wildman's remains (son of Saul Wildman) arrive today from near Savannah, Georgia where he was accidentally drowned. The funeral was attended this P.M. at 2 o'clock. In the evening, I took the picture of General U. S. Grant down to Mr. Swift's and got it framed. It was presented to Georgie by his new uncle Elias Stevens. The price of frame was $2.50. Gussie went over to John Bouton's in the evening and John came home with her. APRIL 25 THURSDAY - Pleasant. I have worked all day in the shop. Gussie went up home with Aunt Louise this forenoon and brought Georgie home after tea. I was very tired and did not go out in the evening. I wrote the marriage of Elias Stevens' and Harriet for publication in the Jeffersonian and sent this evening by Gussie to the office. When she returned, she brought a letter for me from George saying he could not find anything of bag of clothing at the Express Office in New York. I immediately went into the street to see Crosby, the express agent about it. He sent it all right on Tuesday morning. I wrote (in D. M. Benedict's Shoe store) to George about it telling when it was sent, how directed, etc. and enclosed 25 cents which I thought I did in my last letter, but he says not. APRIL 26 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I worked as usual in the shop. I bought an extra Jeffersonian in which was the marriage of Elias B. Stevens and Hattie W. Wheeler to send to Eliza in California. Bought ## ton of coal of Thomas Sproule. I brought home the Sunday School papers from the news office. After tea, I finished grafting an apple tree for Father Griswold. Gussie went to the Sewing Society at Henry B. Fanton's in the evening. Louise stayed with Georgie to let me go to the post Office. John Bouton came in about 10 o'clock to wait for his wife to return with Gussie from the Sewing Society. Before retiring, I took three of Soule's pills for headache. APRIL 27 SATURDAY - I have felt rather bad today from taking the pills last night. I have, however, worked nearly all day in the shop. The 'Great European ____ Circus 'came into town this forenoon. They made the greatest demonstration of any circus troop that I ever saw in this place. A large lion rode on top of one of the wagons or cars in the procession. This was something that was never before seen in Danbury. The troop was a large one. All the actors rode on splendid horses and richly caparisoned. All hands left the shop and went up to Main Street for a few minutes to see them. I finished my work in the shop about 3 o'clock ad then came home by way of Tom Sproule's and paid for the 1/2 ton of coal he brought me yesterday - $5.50. I also called at O.H. Swift's and paid for framing picture of General Grant - $2.70, including cord to hang it. I then went over to Benedict & Nichols' and bought a half box of J. M. Littel's bar soap ' 40 lbs. at 13 cents - $5.30 which was delivered before night. When I got home, Gussie was away up home with Georgie where she took him in the morning that she might go and see the circus troop parade the street. It rained nearly all the P.M. and cleared off just at night at which time she came home with Georgie. After tea, I commenced smoothing over the ground under the trees in my garden preparatory to seeding down the same. While we were at breakfast this morning, Mrs. Smith came in to beg some canned fruit for Betsy Roseborne who is nearly gone with consumption. We gave her a jar of quinces. APRIL 28 SUNDAY - Pleasant but cold. It froze the ground quite hard last night. Gussie went to church as usual this morning. I went to Sunday School at noon and stayed to prayer meeting.in the P.M. After tea, we put Georgie in his carriage and went over to Robert Cocking's to give Georgie a little outdoor exercise. As we came back, we called a few minutes at John Bouton's. I wrote a short letter to George and as I went to meeting in the evening, I mailed it and a Jeffersonian to him. Also a letter to Cousin Eliza in California. Harriet's marriage was in the paper. Brother Woodruff has been with us today. He preached in the morning and this evening. APRIL 29 MONDAY - Pleasant this morning but cold. It became cloudy before noon and in the P.M., it rained a little. I felt about sick this morning with my cold. I however worked until about 3 o'clock then came home and finished preparing the ground for grass seed under the apple trees on the north side of my garden and sowed the seed. I feel better this evening than I did this morning. Bell was here to tea, and Gussie went with her to the depot to meet Harriet Purdy who came up for a visit from Brooklyn. I went to the Post Office, but did not go to the depot. Today commences the Teachers' Convention to be held for one week in this place. APRIL 30 TUESDAY - Cloudy again this morning and rain in the afternoon and evening. I worked all day in the shop. Susan Brayman was here today and Gussie made arrangements with her to get some soda ash at Norwalk, as she intends to go down in a few days. After tea, Moses Baxter gave me a species of pie plant called the 'Wine Plant' which I divided and made six plants of and set them out. He also gave me some for Mr. Pond which I took over to him. Gussie went to market in the evening and bought some dye stuff for coloring carpet rags. When she returned, I went to the 1st church to hear a lecture on the interior of Africa by Professor Gilman. The lecture was one connected with the Teachers' Convention being held here. Joseph Furbush died this evening.
1867-04
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