Horace Purdy Journal, March 1863 Entry
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3/1 Sunday - Stormy. Snow and rain. I attended church in the morning. After Sunday School, I came home and in the P.M. I wrote to George and to Cousin David Mills. Mother came down just before evening meeting and brought a letter which she had written to George to be enclosed in mine. I went to meeting in the evening. It was a prayer meeting in the basement. An unusual interest was manifest for the country both in prayer and exhortation. It cleared off in the evening with a high wind and growing cold fast. 3/2 Monday - Pleasant. I worked as long as I could in the shop. After tea I mailed a Tribune to George and a letter to Louise Wright for Gussie. 3/3 Tuesday - Stormy in the forenoon; snow. It cleared off after dinner. I have worked very hard and am very tired. I went to the market in the evening. Gussie received a letter from Anne (Edwin's wife) by the morning mail with a Carte de Visite of herself and baby for Gussie. 3/4 Wednesday - Pleasant . When I came home from work at night I found that Mrs. Powell and Mead had come from Brooklyn. They were up home, and I went up there to tea. I went to the market in the evening but it was so late before I went on account of company that I did not get to class meeting. I mailed a Semi Weekly Tribune to George. 3/5 Thursday - A pretty cold night last. Mrs. Mead stayed with us last night while her sister m Mrs. Powel stayed with Harriet. Having a severe headache, I left my work and came home after dinner. Mrs. Powel, Mrs. Mead and Harriet took teat with us. I stayed at home in the evening to lest Gussie go with her company into the street shopping and to meeting. I mailed to George the Danbury Times and a Semi Weekly Tribune, both in one wrapper. 3/6 Friday - A snow squall in the morning. It lasted for an hour or two and then ceased. It remained cloudy during the day. The moon and stars shone in the evening. I received a letter from George in the morning mail. He is flat on his back with a fever. I wrote to him in the evening. Mr. Mallet from Redding called to see me this noon about letting me have some money $1,100.00 with which to take up two notes and mortgages on my place and have any indebtedness on my house in one amount in one place, but to be paid annually at the expiration of each year instead of semi-annually and in advance as I have done on $700.00 heretofore at the Savings Bank. I gladly accepted the offer. Eddie is in a singular manner deprived almost entirely the use of his legs in walking today. We feel some concern about him. 3/7 Saturday - It began to snow before noon and continued all day and in the evening. Mr. Mansfield was buried today. I went to the Post Office in the evening and got a letter for Gussie from Harriet. 3/8 Sunday - It snowed until about noon. I shoveled paths around home and up to Father Griswold's in the morning. I went down to the church in time for Sunday School. Communion in the P.M. I wrote to George after tea. Louise came down and stayed with Eddie and let Gussie and I go to hear Mr. Coe preach his sermon on patriotism at our church. He preached the same sermon on Washington's Birthday two weeks ago in his own church. Text. Deut 34:7-8. 3/9 Monday - About 4 or 5 inches of snow fell last night. I spent considerable time this morning in sweeping paths for Harriet, Father Griswold and myself. A little boy of Mr. Allen's (our first neighbor north) accidently had his foot nearly cut off by Violette Pine (a little colored girl across the way) while cutting wood together. Dr. William C. Bennett who came home today from the army on furlough dressed the wound. I went to Teachers' Meeting in the evening. After I came home, I copied the minutes before retiring. I took a letter from the Office for Gussie from Marianne Underhill, one of her old schoolmates at Armenia Seminary (Ed. Note ' town of Amenia in Duchess County , NY) 3/10 Tuesday - I have worked as usual in the shop. Did not get paid off yesterday on account of Mr. Crofut being in New York, but was paid today $28.00. Josiah Day discharged from the 17th Reg't. Called on me at the shop and handed me a package of George's received letters which he sent home by him. He said that George was some better when he left the Reg't last Thursday. I wrote a letter to George after tea and went down and mailed it. 3/11 Wednesday - More snow last night. It cleared off in the middle of the day. A snow squall in the evening. I received a letter from George by the evening mail. It was written by Mr. Warren, I think. He was better when it was written. I went to class meeting in the evening. 3/12 Thursday - Pleasant . I have worked as usual in the shop. I brought home Mr. Witherspoon's vinegar jug to [let] him have a [gal ??] and carry it to him at the shop in the morning. I went to Dr. Bulkely's in the evening to consult him about Eddie and got some medicine for him I paid him what I owed him $8.30. I then went over to the Post Office and finished a letter I had begun to George and mailed it. At the Office I saw Dr. William Bennett who said that he could take a small parcel to George when he returns which will be on Saturday he says. I went up home and got George's soft hat to send to him. 3/13 Friday - Pleasant. I carried Mr. Witherspoon's jug filled with vinegar to him to the shop this morning. I went over to Mr. Olmstead's for Father Griswold's hams before tea but they were not out of the smokehouse. I went to market in the evening. I carried a small package containing a soft hat over to Dr. Bennett's this morning to carry to George in the 17th Reg't as he returns to his Reg't the 5th tomorrow. 3/14 Saturday - Pleasant. Bell stayed with us last night. After dinner, Gussie came to the shop with a letter from George. He is worse and in the hospital at Brook's Station on the Aquia and Falmouth R.Road, Va. I left my work to go to Bethel to see if Chas. Mills had got home yet as George requested that he should come and take care of him if he could be persuaded to do so. He had not got home. I stayed to tea and took the evening train up. I also went to see Lieut. George Averill before going to Bethel and after my return about getting a pass at Washington to go within our lines if I should go to see George. I received a letter from Cousin David Mills 5th Reg't in the evening. 3/15 Sunday - Pleasant. I attended church in the morning. After Sunday School, I came home and wrote in the P.M. and evening to George and to Dr. William Bennett, Surgeon in the 5th Reg't requesting their influence to get a furlough for George to come home and regain his health or a transfer to some hospital nearer home. I got Lieut. George Averill's signature joining with me in my request to Dr. Hubbard. Gussie went to prayer meeting I the evening. 3/16 Monday - I worked until noon. I ate my dinner and then came home with a sick headache. On my way home, I stopped at the Jeffersonian Office to let Mr. Ashley extract something from David Mills' letter for the issue of this week. I ate no supper. I vomited a good deal in the evening. Gussie went to the Post Office in the evening and got a letter for me from Mr. Warren informing me about George. He visited him last Tuesday at the hospital and again on Thursday, the day he wrote the letter. He says that he is better. The hospital doctor says that he has the Typhoid Fever, but the Regimental Surgeon says not. 3/7 Tuesday - St. Patrick's Day. Not feeling well, I did not go to the shop. I went down to the Post Office. I stayed home in the P.M., went to bed, after which I wrote to David Mills and to Mr. Warren. The Irish turned out in grand style to keep up St. Patrick's day. This was their first demonstration ever made on this day in Danbury. Gussie went downtown in the P.M.I went down and mailed my two letters in the evening. Father Monahan, the Catholic priest lectured at Concert Hall in the evening. 3/18 Wednesday - Pleasant . I worked hard all day in the shop. Bro. Crawford and wife, Charles Stevens and wife, George Miller and wife, were at Father Griswold's to tea. Gussie being there, I also went there to tea. I went down intending to go to class, but was too late. I took a letter from the Office for Gussie from Mrs. Mead Brooklyn and then went to hear Wadsworth speak on the political issues of the day at Concert Hall. 3/19 Thursday - Pleasant. In the P.M. I, with other returned Volunteers under the command of Capt. Wildman, attended the funeral of Patrick Lilly who died in hospital. 1st Connecticut Heavy Artillery, Co. B. We turned out with drum and fife with Jackson's Cadet Muskets. He was buried in the Catholic burying ground. I took a letter from the Office for Mother from Harriet in the evening and went to prayer meeting. 3/20 Friday - Pleasant . I felt in excellent condition for work in the forenoon, but after dinner I was taken with the sick headache and was obliged to leave work about 3 o'clock. I went home by way of Couch's Picture Gallery and got a dollar's worth of Cartes de Visite of wife and baby which I ordered a few days ago. I went to bed after I got home. Bell came down after school to stay all night and tomorrow Aunt Louisa called while we were at our tea. Gussie went to Sewing So(ciety) in the evening. I, not feeling well enough, did not go into the street. 3/21 Saturday - Charles Mills arrived home in Bethel last night. He came up on the train this morning and came to the shop. I stopped work and took him home with me to dinner. Caroline came up on the freight train. I spent the afternoon with them and went to the depot at {??] o'clock as they returned to Bethel. Harriet joined them at the depot and went home too. Bell, who came down last night stayed with us today and went up home again after tea. I received a letter from George by the morning mail. He is still in the hospital at Brook's Station and somewhat better, the fever being broken and changed. 3/22 Sunday ' Pleasant and warm, but the melting snow made it very wet and muddy. I went to church and spent both the forenoon and afternoon at the library checking the book from Carleton & Porter's and the Sunday School Union Catalogues in order to use the catalogues to select some new ones for the library as we have about one hundred dollars to spend for new books for our library. After Sunday School, Bell came up to take care of Eddie so that Gussie could go in the P.M. I finished a letter to George and mailed it with the Times in the evening. John Cosier called just before evening meeting time to see about going to New York to get the Sunday School library books. He wants me to go with him. 3/23 Monday - Sick, Joseph Young drew my pay and brought it to me at night. I went down to John Cosier's office and stayed until the mail came. A letter for Gussie from Ellen Dare. I not feeling able, Gussie went to doctor's and got some medicine for me and to the Post Office in the evening. She got a letter from her old school mate, now Mrs. Wright. 3/24 Tuesday - Cloudy, chilly, southeast wind. Appearance of storm. Sick. I stayed at home and took medicine all day. 3/25 Wednesday - I took a profuse sweat last night. I feel better, though very weak. It rained hard with thunder in the P.M. I received a letter from David Mills and answered it. A Mr. Hamilton from Texas is to speak to the people tonight a Concert Hall upon the political issues of the day to aid in the election of Buckingham for Governor. 3/26 Thursday (Ed note: Purdy calls it 3/25) I went down to John Cosier's office in the morning and we checked off more books on the Book Room catalogue preparatory to going to the city to buy them. Charles Mills came up on the train and stayed to dinner. I went with him to Averill's office to get him to take a pension agency for his friend in Washington. I then went to the Cars and went to New York with John Cosier and wife to buy books for the Sunday School. I stopped for the night with Bro. Pegg in Forsyth Street. 3/27 Friday (Ed note: Purdy calls it 3/26) - In New York. After breakfast, Mr. Cosier came down to Bro. Pegg and we went up to the Book Room to buy our books. We bought some at the Sunday School Union and also at then Tract Societies Room. But the largest portion, we bought at the Book Room. We were very busy all day. We took dinner at a Restaurant. We finished our book buying about 4 o'clock, when we went over to Brooklyn together. I went up Fulton Avenue to Gideon Powell's and Cosier went another way. I stayed to Mr. Powell's to tea. I went with them to hear Cyrus Foss preach in the evening. But we were disappointed. His brother Archibald preached in his stead. I returned with them and stayed all night. 3/28 Saturday (Ed note: Purdy calls it 3/27) ' After breakfast at Mr. Powell's, I went over to the corner of Classon and Greene Avenues to call on Mrs. Mead. From there, I went to Claremont Avenue near DeKalb and stayed with Harriet until noon at her boarding place at Mrs. Boyles. I took dinner with them. After which, I started for New York on my way home. I intended to stop in Pine Street to see Mr. Mead and in Murray to see Mr. Powell, but it began to rain so hard that I did not. I arrived home in the evening. 3/29 Sunday - Pleasant and muddy in the morning. It grew cold in the P.M. and evening and froze up hard. I attended church in the morning. Mr. Coe preached for us. After Sunday School, I came home. After tea, I wrote to George and Harriet. I filled out 3 Certificates of discussion for the Loveland and DeWolfe children. I went to prayer meeting in the evening. 3/30 Monday - Do not feel very strong yet. I ordered 1,000 labels for our Sunday School books at Ashley's (the Jeffersonian office). The books came from New York this P.M. by freight. I went down to the shop just before night and ironed over Father Griswold's silk hat preparatory to going to conference. In the evening I received and answered a letter from George. He is better, or was when he wrote. I mailed to him $1.00 in money and stamps. 3/31 Tuesday - Snow in the morning. Father Griswold and myself went to the Savings Bank about 9 o'clock to do business with Ephraim and Alfred Gregory and Mr. Mallett of Redding. I took eleven hundred dollars from Mr. Mallett and gave him my note and a mortgage deed together with my insurance policy to secure him. With the said $1,100.00 I took up Gregory's note of seven hundred at the Savings Bankand my note of Four Hundred with Alfred Gregory and took quit claims from the parties. D.B. Booth executed my papers for me. The mortgage deed required a Revenue Stamp of $2.00, the Note, 60 cents. I sold some specie (silver) for 23% premium which amounted to $1.37. I sold it to Robinson the Jeweler. I went to market in the evening. When I returned, I did some writing for the Sunday School and retired about 10 o'clock. The snow storm continued all day.
1863-03
Horace Purdy Journal September 1864 Entry
10pgs
9/1 Wednesday - I rose and wrote a letter to George before breakfast. I mailed it with a New York Times and went to the Depot to see Charles and Henry Hinman. Louise Jones and Harriet went off on the train, Louise to New York City and Harriet to Stamford. When the train left, I came home to breakfast. I made over the walk from Father Griswold's back door to the barn and the went downtown to the Post Office and got a letter from Charles Parsons with his pictures and a dollar enclosed for the pictures of his brother Phil which I sent to him. We took dinner up to Father Griswold's. After dinner, I went downtown and waited for the freight train in order that I could get some peaches which Parmelee and Bradley effected. They came and I bought one half a crate containing 18 to 20 quarts. The Catholics are having a picnic at Redding today. I wrote an answer to Charles Parsons' letter before tea and while Gussie was away on a walk to the cemetery. Just before retiring, I mailed my letter to Charles Parsons, went to Couch's Picture Gallery to engage him to take Mrs. Davis' boys picture tomorrow. I was at the cars when they came in and Charles and Henry Hinman returned home having been rejected by the surgeon at Bridgeport. Mike Ryan, George Blissard, and John Pollett were rejected also. Mrs. McDonald raised from 5 to 7 cents a quart for milk this morning. Frank Boughton returned the $6.00 I borrowed for her of Alden G. Crosby. 9/2 FRIDAY - No work. Pleasant and warm. After breakfast, I wrote to George about the rejection of the Hinman boys. About 10 o'clock, I borrowed Dr. Buckley's horse and went up for Mother and brought her down to spend the day with us. After dinner, I helped pare and halve peaches for canning. I mailed the letter to George and went to the shop and drew George Davis' money for his wife as he has enlisted in the navy. After tea, I got Parmalee and Bradley's team and carried Mother up home. Gussie and I went with Mrs. Davis to Couch's in the evening to get her pictures to send by James S. Taylor to George on board the North Carolina at the navy yard in Brooklyn. We waited until the cars came to see Mr. Taylor about sending a small parcel to George Davis. James Leuning (sp), William Hickok and others who were accepted yesterday at Bridgeport as volunteers and sent to camp in New Haven came home this evening in uniform on furlough until next Tuesday. As we came home in the evening we found Gussie's cousin, Miss Williams from Kansas up to Mother Griswold's. She came by the evening train. 9/3 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I worked in the shop until after 3 o'clock. Gussie finished putting her peaches in cans today. Atlanta has fallen and is now in the hands of General Sherman and his noble army. After the papers came and the news was read, the bells were rung and the cannon fired. Flags were hoisted and there was a rejoicing time generally. After I came home from work, I gathered my beets and put them in the cellar in order to make room for a strawberry bed. Before tea, I killed a chicken over to Mrs. Davis'. She gave it to me. I offered to pay her but she would not take anything. After tea, Gussie and I went to market. The cars being late, she went home and I stayed to wait for the mail. The train came a little after 9 o'clock. The news of the capture of Atlanta was fully confirmed. Just before retiring, Mr. Cocking brought a glass of beer down to me. 9/4 SUNDAY - Cloudy and rain in the P.M. Gussie did not attend church. Brother Hill preached in the morning from Acts 12:12. In the P.M. from John 2:24. I walked home from church with John Cosier under his umbrella. Talked to the Sunday School at noon. I took a nap after tea. No service in our church in the evening on account of a sermon by Starr Hoyt Nichols to the Young Men's Christian Association in the 1st Congregational Church. I went down about 7 o'clock and mailed letters for Mrs. George Davis. 9/5 MONDAY - Stormy. No work in the shop. I had calculated to work in my garden and set out a strawberry bed, but on account of the storm could not. I went down to Charles Hull's Tin Shop and make some pistol bullets. I came near putting out my eyes by wetting the molds to cool them and then before they were dry pouring in the melted lead which splattered and flew into my face blistering my eyelid a little. The first number of the War Record was sent to me for another year which I had not subscribed for on account of not feeling able to do so and not because I did not like the paper. On the contrary, I like it very much. I ordered it sent back to the publishers again. In the afternoon, I went to the shop for my pay for the last two weeks' work. Went to Sanford's Wood Sawing establishment and got a piece of hickory for a ramrod for Mr. McDonald's gun which I am keeping for him. I shaved it down in Robert Sayer's Undertaking Shop and then came home and finished it off which took me all the afternoon. I retired with the sick headache after which Mr. Cocking returned from the Post Office with two letters for me from George. He acknowledged the receipt of the hat and watch which I sent him on the 16th of August. The Letters were written the 16th and 23rd and postmarked August 27th. News by the evening paper of the capture of the rebel [Raider] Georgia, a pirate. 9/6 TUESDAY - Stormy this morning. John Cosier came up for a gallon of vinegar before I got up. I rose with the headache again. My fingers which I cut yesterday with a wire on my umbrella being pretty sore, I concluded not to go to the shop. After breakfast, I copied some extracts from George's two letters for the Jeffersonian and carried them to Ashley. I waited for the mail which was rather late and then came home to dinner. I went over to McDonald's to repair Emaline Williams' trunk lock after dinner. I went into the street and got short iron, nails straps and buckles and just about made over new her trunk by working nearly all afternoon on it. I went to the depot in the evening to meet cousin Lieut. Charles C. Parsons and wife if they should come as we somewhat expect them. But they did not come. Went to the Post Office and while there listened to Rev. Mr. Shepard talk as he has just returned from the front of our army at Petersburg. I walked up home with Mr. Cocking. Brought a letter for Father Griswold from Canton. Stayed up there a short time to visit with Cousin Emaline. The celebrated Guerilla John Morgan who was formerly captured and broke jail has been killed and his staff captured. So says the Evening Post. A letter in the office from Harriet from George which I remailed to her in Stamford where she is visiting. Commenced a letter to George in the evening. 9/7 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I had work nearly all day in the shop. Before tea, I finished gathering my vegetables on the place where I want to set out strawberry plants. I got my first Jeffersonian from the printing office on my new subscription for one year. In the evening I went to the depot and got a through ticket to Cleveland by the Erie route of Mr. Williams, the ticket agent, for Cousin Emaline Williams who goes tomorrow morning. Fred Vintz cut his foot badly today. 9/8 THURSDAY - Cousin Emaline Williams left on the morning train for Kansas. Had work in the shop until early night. There was a rainbow circle around the sun just after dinner, a thing which I never saw before or heard of either. It was a circle the same as usual, except that it contained all the colors of the rainbow. Brother Woodruff was at Father Griswold's with George Starr when I came home from work. Cloudy in the P.M. I finished my letter to George and mailed it in the evening with a Harper's Weekly and two Jeffersonians. One back number with the piece in it that George wrote of how the 17th Regt. spent the 4th of July at St. Augustine and the last number. I went to the depot to see if Charles Parsons and lady came. From there, I went to the Post Office and then to prayer meeting. Brother Woodruff was there. The evening post gives us news of the French in Mexico being whipped. When I came home, it was clear and cool with prospects of a frost. 9/9 FRIDAY - Rain early this morning. Cloudy during the day a little broken between 3 and 4 o'clock with an occasional ray of sunshine. After I finished my shop work, I came home and spaded garden to put out strawberry plants. I spaded about half the patch and put out two rows of plants. Gussie went up to Mother Purdy's in the P.M. and was late getting home. A balloon was seen (I saw it) between 6 and 7 o'clock this evening in a northeast direction. I went to the Post Office in the evening. and returned as soon as the mail was opened as I was very tired. 9/10 SATURDAY - pleasant and warmer than before since September came in. I had work in the shop until the middle of the P.M. On the way home, I bought 4 lbs. of excellent coffee of Parmalee and Bradley, the last he had of the kind, and I was desirous of securing it for fear of not being able to get any more of the kind. As soon as I got home, I went immediately back again to Hull's Tin Shop to have a new bottom put into our tea kettle and a top with a lid on our old fruit can. When I returned, I spaded a little more ground and put out two rows more of the Russel Prolific strawberry plants. While we were drinking tea, Aunt Louisa and Mary came in. Gussie went with me downtown to market and to the Post Office in the evening. A soldier who lost one hand at Fort Jackson and Fort St. Philip at the time General Butler took New Orleans came to the shop today soliciting assistance to go to his home somewhere on the North River. I gave him 25 cents. 9/11 SUNDAY - Stormy. I went with Gussie down to the church and then went to Barnum's Hotel to see what arrangements had been made for the Ridgefield Military Company to get dinner, they being here to bury the remains of Captain White, Company I, 10th Regt. Connecticut Volunteers, as if there were no arrangements made to feed them, I was going to ask our friend Rockwell who is a member of the company home with us to dinner. They were to take dinner at the hotel. Mr. Tweedy not having a load, I went down to Long Ridge with him where the religious part of the service was conducted at the Methodist church by Mr. Clark of Georgetown, a protestant Methodist. He preached an excellent sermon from Job 14:14 'If a man die shall he live again. As soon as the service was over, we drove home as soon as possible not waiting for the procession as it was raining in torrents. The service at the church was at 11 o' clock. We arrive home a little before 2 o'clock. I went to the sacrament in the P.M. Brother Woodruff assisted in administering it. He preached in the morning but I, being at Long Ridge, did not hear him. The procession passed up Main Street just after the services in the church were over. I heard the three volleys fired over the soldier's grave at 3 one half o'clock as I was writing at home. Though his house was on Long Ridge, he was buried in our cemetery. After tea, I took a nap until evening meeting time. The meeting was one of thanksgiving in accordance with President Lincoln's proclamation. The three congregations united in our church. The meeting was one of great interest. Remarks were made by the several clergy with occasional prayers and singing by the choir. Brother Woodruff made the last speech which was a good one after his peculiar style. It brought down the house by way of intense interest and laughter. The exercises were closed by the congregation joining the choir in singing 'The Star Spangled Banner'. 9/12 MONDAY - Cloudy nearly all day. It cleared off in the evening or just before night. I had one dozen cheap hats to finish which I did before noon. Received three packages of old letters by from George by mail. After dinner, I cut off each end of Fanny's flower stand to make it small enough to go in their bay window. I then went over to George Starr's for a board with which to make a work bench for Gussie. Mrs. Stone washed for us today. I went to the depot with Bell in the evening to meet Harriet as we expected her form Stamford, but she did not come. 9/13 TUESDAY - Pleasant but a little cool for the season. After breakfast, I took my gun and started for Starr's Plain where I found David Bradley as I expected. We went on Moses Mountain and there and on the way home we spent nearly all day. The game I brought home was as follows: 1 rabbit, 1partridge, 2 pigeons, 2 robins and 2 chipmunks. I was very tired at night. We dressed the game before tea. After tea, I went to the Post Office. Mr. Cocking had a load of wood come today. Charlie, the boy who works for Mr. Lynes with Robert came in the evening and wheeled the wood to the woodhouse and piled it up. 9/14 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant and warmer than yesterday. I finished digging my strawberry ground as far as I could on account of the tomatoes and put out three rows of Poor House seedlings. I pulled up my squash vines and all the corn stalks that had no corn on them and gave them to McDonald. I then went down to the Post Office and came home to dinner. We had Father and Mother Griswold with us to eat a wild game pot pie. I cleaned my gun before breakfast. It is just one year ago this morning since Eddie died. No, I made a mistake a year ago tomorrow. I was thinking today was the fifteenth. Before tea, I wrote to George and put up a Harper's Pictorial with a Jeffersonian and last weeks' Danbury Times with the historical sketches of St. Augustine in it sent by Montgomery Bailey. I attended class in the evening. Brother Hill led it. After class, I walked up with John Cosier and called to see David Bradley to see how he stood the hunt yesterday and to see if he could go again tomorrow. I stayed about an hour and talked. When I came home Gussie had retired. It clouded up about 6 o'clock and sprinkled a little as it did during the evening. Moses Baxter, who went away to avoid the draft I see is at home today. He doubtless had word sent to him that our quota was filled and that there would be no draft. If the American people were all like him and his father the country would be destroyed before it would be defended. They will not only not fight themselves but will prevent others from doing so if they can and are continually condemning the administration for putting down an armed rebellion by force of arms. 9/15 THURSDAY - Eddie died one year ago this morning at a quarter past three o'clock. I t has been pleasant today. I took up and put in pots Gussie's house plants. Repaired Father Griswold's wheelbarrow. Nailed a strap in Mother Griswold's trunk. It was then noon. After dinner I took my gun and went over to Fish Ware and Mill Plain swamp to hunt for pigeons. I wounded one and could not find him in the swamp and shot at another but the distance was so great I did not kill him. It was dark when I got home. After tea, I went to market and to the Post Office. 9/16 FRIDAY - I have had work all day in the shop. I came home about sundown and found the house locked and Gussie away. I had a fire and boiled tea before she came. She was up home. I scolded some for coming home and finding the house fastened and no one to get supper when I had worked so hard all day and was tired. Mr. Swift occupies his new store for the first time this evening with his newspapers. I attended the Union League before I came home. 9/17 SATURDAY - Had work in the shop until noon. After dinner, I took my guns and started to find David Bradley according to last evening's agreement and found him in company with Hart Purdy and Robert Raymond in Hull's Orchard near the old Isaac Levine place down the road leading to Fox Pond Hollow. From there, we went over near the old David Ambler farm and down across the flat meadows to the edge of Mill Plain Swamp on Granville Amblers Fish Ware land. We came home by way of Terry's Woods and Oil Mill Pond. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. Mr. and Mrs. Cocking, who have been staying out to Mr. Lyne's all the week came home in the evening. Mother Griswold and Fanny started for Bloomfield this morning. A Democratic mass meeting in Norwalk this morning. Harriet came home from New York this morning. 9/18 SUNDAY - Gussie's birthday - 28 years old. The sun shone brightly in the forenoon. Fling clouds and wind in the P.M. I attended church all day. Gussie did not. Brother Hill preached. Text in the morning _______. In the P.M. Colossians 1:17, Isaiah 11:2. After Sunday School, I took Thomas Lyons' team and went up for Mother and brought her to church. She walked home. Just as Brother Hill commenced his sermon in the P.M., Aaron Morehouse's wife was taken faint. He was obliged to leave church with her. After tea, I took a nap until nearly evening Meeting time. We both attended. Just before going, Bell and a little Squires' girl who lives just this side came bringing two letters from Harriet to mail. Gussie had news this evening that Marianne Underhill, an old schoolmate and chum of hers at Amenia School was dead with two of her children also with dysentery. She lived near Gaylordsville on the Housatonic River road. 9/19 MONDAY - Pleasant. I had work in the shop until about 3 one half o'clock. David Mills appeared to me in the shop this forenoon. He came from Bethel on the train. He arrived home on Saturday evening. When I finished work, I went to the Depot to see him off. Carrie came up with him and Harriet returned with them. I went to Austin's store and drew $2.50 the same being my traveling expenses to and from Bridgeport to have my name stricken from the rolls. James S. Taylor, the first selectman left the papers and money there to be paid to all such as myself who went down to Bridgeport for that purpose and had their names taken off. Paid to John Cosier the balance of my seat rent for this year. - $3.00 Reverend Mr. Shepherd, the Universalist minister gave a lecture or rather his experience of what he saw on a visit to our army under General Grant in front of Petersburg and Richmond., Va. Gussie attended with me. After his lecture a collection was taken up for the benefit of the Sanitary Commission. Also he presented a book to take one dollar subscription which is to be circulated throughout the country to buy a house for General Grant as a token of the country's appreciation of his service to the country. It was 10 one half o'clock when we arrived home. 9/20 TUESDAY - Had work in the shop until the middle of the P.M. I then came home by way of Burr Bradley's with him and drank some new cider which he had just got. The shop was called in the forenoon to raise the price on the Round Crown or Smith Block. We got 2 cents extra on soft hats and 3 cents on stiff rims. Mr. John Cosier called before tea to engage a gallon of vinegar for Lucius Wildman. I agreed to let him have it. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. I received a letter from George, the first since he was ordered to join his regiment. He is now with them at Picolata. The evening papers state that a heavy but successful battle had been fought by General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. Also that rebels in Canada have seized small steamers on Lake Erie. I put down my name to give $1.00 toward buying a house for General Grant. 9/21 WEDNESDAY - Pleasant. I had work until noon in the shop. I came home to dinner and ate with Mrs. Jesse D. Stevens and her mother. Jesse's wife was spending the day with Gussie. While we were eating dinner, the commenced firing 34 guns in honor of the late victory by General Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley. The bells were rung also. I went on to Ives Hill after dinner where they were having the salute and went with them to help put up the gun. (Mrs. Lanford who was with us to dinner came in just before dinner having been over to the Sand Hill for some scouring sand). I called at Tweedy Brothers and then came home and got out a piece of hickory for a ramrod in McDonald's gun, the other one which I made being rather small. Between 4 and 5 o'clock, I went out into the street to get my Jeffersonian and met John Cosier who wanted me to go hunting with him a short time over west a short distance which I did. We went over as far as Granville Ambler's land on the edge of Mill Pond Swamp and returned without seeing anything to shoot at. We arrive home after dark. I drank my tea and started for class meeting but so much of the evening was taken up with finding a daily paper to send to George and mailing it together with the Harper's Weekly and Jeffersonian that I did not go but attended the Union League which kept me out until 10 one half o'clock. I sent the daily paper in order that George might read the news of Sheridan's victory at Winchester. Mr. James Fowler brought us but 1 one half lbs. of butter this week instead of two as usual and notified us that he could bring us butter but once more. 9/22 THURSDAY - Cloudy all day. I had work in the shop until noon. I ate my dinner which I had with me and came home by way of Alden G. Crosby's coal office and paid him the $6.00 I had borrowed of him some time ago for Frank Boughton to pay her interest with. When I got home I finished the ramrod to McDonald's gun, it being the second one I made, the first being too small. Wallace Hyatt, one of the boys at the shop, climbed the flagstaff on the shop this morning to put in some new halyards. The flag was then run up and kept flying during the day. After tea, I wrote a letter to George and intended to mail it in the evening, but before mailing it, I concluded to wait for the evening mail to see if another letter came from him and sure enough there was one. While reading it in the post office, there was an alarm of fire. It was a linty (sp) on the rear of Heurie's (sp) Tobacco Store. For a few minutes prior to the arrival of the hose, there was every prospect of a large fire. But the hose soon extinguished the flames. I having just previous to the fire bought some scallops for breakfast, I took them and came home. Before retiring, I answered the letter from George just received and enclosed the letter I wrote before going to market. 9/23 FRIDAY - Cloudy with some mist in the P.M. Had work all day in the shop. I collected money in the shop for powder to fire on the first occasion we have such as a victory or the capture of Richmond. Before breakfast went down and mailed the letter to George which I wrote last night. I attended the Union League in the evening. Came home about 10 one half o'clock. 9/24 SATURDAY - Cloudy and rain between 3 and 4 o'clock P.M. A thunder shower about an hour after. I had work in the shop until after dinner. On my way home I called at Louis Moegling's (sp) dying establishment to see what it would cost to get the field of our flag at the factory dyed as it has become so faded that it is not respectable. I came home and commenced making out a letter for George for publication in the Jeffersonian from his last two letters. Gussie went with me to market in the evening. We did our marketing and she came home while I stayed for the mail. I did a little collecting of money with which to buy powder for salutes in our Union Gun. The new Union Club room was to be opened in the evening, but for some reason was not. Further good news from General Sheridan. He continues to whip the rebel General Early very severely. Upon receipt of the news, bells were rung and the cannon fired. 9/25 SUNDAY - Pleasant and cooler. I attended church all day. Gussie came down to Sunday School and afternoon meeting. Brother Hill exchanged with Mr. Stone the Baptist I the P.M. Mr. Stone preached from Luke 23:42-43. Before and after supper, I finished copying from George's letter for publication in the Jeffersonian. I then finished also the letter I commenced writing to him this morning. I mailed also in the evening with the letter, The Harper's weekly and Friday's Tribune. Also a comic picture of Lincoln, Little Mac, General Grant, Richmond, and Weldon R. Road. There being prospects of frost, we gathered what few dwarf pears there were remaining in the trees, a dozen perhaps. In the letter to George, I requested that he send me a list of the names of those in his Company who are 21 years old but who have not been made freemen, on account of coming of age since entering the army. There are measures being made to get them home to vote for president in November. Just before meeting time, Gussie and I went over to Burr Bradley's and went from there to prayer meeting with him and his wife. We got their card pictures. 9/26 MONDAY - Pleasant. My work in the shop lasted until about 2 one half o'clock. I came home by way of the Jeffersonian and left a letter from George for publication. He thinks it cannot be printed this week as the paper is full of matter for this issue. I bought one pound of shot on my way home to go hunting tomorrow with Burr Bradley. I picked beans before tea to save them from the frost. I got the one half dozen Army and Navy Dictionaries at Swift's News Office in the evening and mailed them to George. At the same time, I wrote a letter with pencil and mailed to him, stating the price of the dictionaries. After which I went to the Union meeting in Concert Hall to organize a Union Campaign Club. I was organized in due form making John Tinely (sp) president. We had speaking from Rev. Mr. Shepard and Chaplain Ambler. Also the song 'Rally Round the Flag, Boys' led by Mr. Jackson. The meeting was well attended and enthusiastic. I carried cartes de visite of Gussie and myself to the shop and gave them to Burr Bradley in exchange for theirs received last night. 9/27 TUESDAY - I rose about 5 o'clock and found it raining hard and with that gave up the idea of hunting with Burr Bradley and went back to bed as I was in no hurry having no work in the shop. I lay half an hour and then got up again, but found it pleasant, the rain being but a little shower passing over. I then hurried as fast as possible about breakfast, but Burr came before it was ready. I ate such as was ready and started with Burr. We went over to Jacob Fry's. He had promised to carry us over to Pine Mountain with his team. He not being ready, we went on and followed the stream from E. Hull's up to Fish Ware looking for ducks. While I was hunting partridge, Burr saw three ducks, but did not get a shot. Mr. Fry overtook us on the Miry Brook road just beyond Fish Ware. We rode up the old Spruce Mountain Road by Thomas Smith's and then hunted around crossing over to Pine Mountain, paying a visit to the U.S. Coast Surveyors. From there we hunted the woods down coming out in the vicinity of Starr's Plain Pond. We then went on the mountain the other side of the road up to Hawley Branson's farm over Moses Mountain across by Charles Starr's wood and home. My game was one partridge, one pigeon, one chipmunk, and a Brown Thrasher. We arrive home at 2 o'clock. At 5 P.M., went down to see the Lincoln and Johnson banner flying to the breeze. Speeches were made by John Tweedy, Silas Ferrel and Mr. H. Francis. Having a severe headache and feeling lame after my tramp, I came home and retired early, feeling quite used up. Harriet Purdy left a letter here for Gussie from Eliza Humphrey in California. Gussie being out with me to the banner raising, she put the letter in at the window beside the casing some way, how we could not imagine. This morning, while Burr Bradley was waiting for me to eat breakfast, Sarah Purdy came in to tell me that George wished her to tell me that the Regiment had received their instrument for a Regimental Brass Band. He wanted me to have it inserted in his letter for the Jeffersonian. 9/28 WEDNESDAY - Had work until noon at the shop. A subscription came to the Copperheads at the shop this morning for a McClellan banner to match and without doubt will excel ours for Lincoln and Johnson. We had the game I shot yesterday for dinner today. A little rain about 2 P.M. It soon stopped and then Burr Bradley as he promised at the shop came along with his gun and we took a little stroll to Oil Mill Pond, Terry's Woods, Fish Ware and Mill Plain Swamp, across to Thomas Lyons, from there across in the rear of the old Captain Fairchild Ambler's estate, up toward Edward Mack's, the old Benjamin Ambler orchard opposite the Levine(sp) place, the across to Charles Starr's woods and home arriving about 6 o'clock with 2 High holes and a chipmunk, which I gave to Burr. I then dressed, took tea, went up to the Jeffersonian Office for my paper and one to send to George, which I immediately mailed with a New York Times of today. I then went to class, had a good meeting, after which I went to the grocery store for some things, to the Post Office, and for the first time visited our Union Club rooms over Harvey's new store, 3rd floor. I put my name down as one of the club. Sat a few minutes and walked up home with John Green and Rev. Mr. Shepard. 9/29 THURSDAY - Stormy in the forenoon, but pleasant in the P.M. I worked all day I the shop. Frank Cornwall's (colored) house on Turner Street fell down over his head this morning about 6 o'clock. It stood on a side hill and fell for want of proper underpinning. I went to hear Henry C. Demming of Hartford speak in Concert hall in the evening upon the issues of the day. He arrived by the cars in the evening and in consequence was late in commencing his speech. I got home at 10 o'clock. Demming was the late colonel of the 12th Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers. 9/30 FRIDAY - Stormy again in the morning, but some sunshine in the P.M. and pleasant in the evening. I had work all day in the shop. Gussie spent the afternoon up to my fathers. T. H. Bond of New Haven spoke to the Copperheads in Concert Hall in the evening. They made considerable display by escorting their speaker from the cars to the Hall with a band of music. I went to the Union League in the evening. Father Griswold was initiated with a large number of others. Fido was close to his heels all the time.
1864-09
Horace Purdy Journal July 1868 Entry
6pgs
JULY 01 WEDNESDAY - I have been to New York. I came home by steamer to Norwalk to bring a looking glass frame for Mr. Jackson. I sat up until about midnight, cutting plate and fitting and fastening in the new frame. Mr. Pond assisted me. JULY 02 THURSDAY - Very warm. I have worked in the shop. After tea, George helped me to carry the glass to Mr. Jackson's and hang it. JULY 03 FRIDAY - Very hot; a heavy shower commencing little before 4 o'clock and lasting an hour or more. The rain fell in torrents accompanied with hail. The mercury stood from 90 to 100 in the shade. JULY 04 SATURDAY - Another hot day. I went to New York and took to William Hayes about 3 quarts of strawberries. I returned on the 12:15 Express from New York and arrived here at 3:45. The Catholics held a picnic in Keeler's Orchard on Deer Hill. The 'Grand Army of the Republic' held one in McDonald's Woods at Oil Mill Pond. Gussie attended the G.A.R company. With what was expected, it was a failure. It has been very hot. Georgie has been up home on Deer Hill today in order to let Gussie attend the picnic. He is to stay overnight. The Democratic Convention meets today in New York at the new Tammany Hall between 3rd and 4th Avenues on 14th Street. A salute was fired this evening at sundown at Rose Hill by members of the G.A. R. JULY 05 SUNDAY - Very warm again. After breakfast, George and I went over to Oil Mill Pond to wash. Georgie being up home, we all attended church in the morning. While we were at tea, Father came with Georgie. Showers around us with heavy thunder and lightning but no rain here. Georgie has a bad cough. I went over to West Street to Mr. Wood's to get a recipe for a cough syrup to make for Georgie. JULY 06 MONDAY - A pleasant warm day though more comfortable than yesterday there being more breeze. I had work in the shop until nearly 6 o'clock. I went down to Swifts with two 10x12 one inch Rose and Gilt frames and cut them down for Fanny to make 8x10's of them. I went to market in the evening. JULY 07 TUESDAY - Cloudy. No work in the shop. I took the 12 o'clock train and went to New York, arrived a 3:20. I took the 4:30 train back again. The shone when I got to the city. Before I arrived home, we had a summer shower. George met me at the depot with my overshoes and an umbrella. JULY 08 WEDNESDAY - Lowery; muggy and hot, but little sunshine. I have worked in the shop. I have filed my saw which belongs to the store after I came from work. After tea, George went to market for me and I took F. G. Jackson's old looking glass frame to his house which I have had since I made his new one. Before bedtime, I went up to Father Griswold's and had a talk with him about my business affairs. JULY 09 THURSDAY - Thunder shower this morning early. Went to New York. William started today with his regiment for Norwich. Horatio Seymour was today nominated for President and Blair for Vice-President. JULY 10 FRIDAY - Pleasant. I have been to New York. We had Dr. Bulkely for Georgie. I talked with Mrs. Willard about learning Gussie to preserve flowers. I brought a package from John Carpenter in New York to Charlie, his brother, in Burnett & Stone's store. JULY 11 SATURDAY - Pleasant but hot. I have been to New York. As I went to the depot this morning, I carried to Charles Carpenter at Burnett & Stone's store, 4 rolls of salve. The store not being open, I left them at Benedict's Shoe Store. William returned this P.M. from his excursion with the New York 7th Regiment to Norwich. I delivered 6 Bead Walnut and Gilded frames to N. Tibbel this P.M. I came near being left by the train in New York this P.M. Gussie moved our bed upstairs today and put my secretary in the bedroom. JULY 16 SUNDAY - Before breakfast, George and I went over to Oil Mill Pond and washed. I went to church in the morning and to Sunday School. Gussie went in the P.M. to the Communion Service. Before its close, it was nearly broken by an alarm of fire. A Mr. Beers on Balmforth Avenue owned the house. A part of the house was nearly destroyed. After tea, Gussie went with Mrs. Rowan to see Mary White, an old schoolmate. JULY 13 MONDAY - Very warm. HOT! I have worked in the shop. After tea, George and I trimmed the edges of the walk in front of the house. Father Griswold's and Mr. Pond's front also. I wrote to Southmayd & Company, my agent for selling my store and enclosed $2.50 for advertising in the Herald, which with $2.00 given him when I arranged with him to try and sell the business makes $4.50. George took it to mail for me. I also wrote to E. Wing, West Goshen to send an improved washing machine for the one we have had of the first lot, it being imperfect. JULY 14 TUESDAY - Pleasant but very warm. The mercury stood at 95 in the shade. I worked until after 3 P.M. in the shop. As I came home, I bought a quart of Old Stock imported ale for Georgie. The doctor ordered it for him. I sent to the office this morning the letter I wrote to Mr. Wing. JULY 15 WEDNESDAY - Very warm again today. I have been to New York. I left our washing machine at Ridgefield Station for Mr. Wing this morning; he is to send another in its place. I delivered more frames to Tibbels' and received $34.00, the amount of his bill. Hannah Gregory and Mary White from Dover, New York were here to tea. They were old Amenia school mates of Gussie's. George and I went across to Mr. Green's about 11 o'clock and took a wash in the brook and then retired, being nicely cooled off. JULY 16 THURSDAY - Warm, but more comfortable there being a breeze. I have worked in the shop all day. JULY 17 FRIDAY - Pleasant but a little cooler. I have worked in the shop all day. I went to market in the evening. JULY 18 SATURDAY - Pleasant. I have been to New York. I took a small bundle for Elisha Morris to be called for at my store. I put in a 10x17 looking glass plate for Robert Cocking and built two small ones. I brought them home with me and delivered them this evening and got my pay for them. Dan Rice's Circus has been here today. George went to Yonkers. JULY 19 SUNDAY - Pleasant. As I went for milk this morning, I carried to Mr. McDonald the 3 cents worth of Children's Tracts which I got for him yesterday in New York. George went to Yonkers yesterday and is consequently not with us today. I went to church in the morning. Brother Burch preached to the Sunday School. I came home after school. Gussie came down at noon and stayed in the P.M. After tea, Father came down with Georgie who has been up there since yesterday. We stayed home in the evening. JULY 20 MONDAY - Cloudy; east wind and misty and fine rain just at night. I have worked in the shop. William Carlson drew my pay - $12.00 ' on Saturday and gave it to me today. Bell drew George's pay at Montgomery's today and left $10.00 with Gussie for board. He expects to return from Yonkers tomorrow. Gussie went to market this evening. JULY 21 TUESDAY - Cloudy; east wind but no rain. I have worked in the shop. George came home from Yonkers on the evening train. Thought I lost my pocketbook at A. E. Fuller's Market, but found it at home. The seventh Anniversary of the 1st Battle of Bull Run. JULY 22 WEDNESDAY - I have been to New York. Cloudy in the morning with fog. Sunshine in the middle of the day. Warmer than the last two or three days. Mrs. Stewart went home this morning from Father Griswold's. I escorted her to the city. I saw her on a 3rd Avenue and Fulton Ferry Stage and left her. Elisha Morris' wife was put in my care also. She took the boat at Norwalk where I turned her over to John Cosier who was going to the city. I framed and brought home Hanson Smith's and George's Soldiers testimonials and brought them up with me at night. JULY 23 THURSDAY - An east wind and cloudy most of the day, but no rain. I have worked in the shop. In the evening, I went to market and paid Charles Griffing for the ## ton of coal I owed him for. JULY 24 FRIDAY - I have worked hard in the shop. JULY 25 SATURDAY - A heavy rain last night. I have been to New York. The day has been fine in New York, though it has rained here about two o'clock; also about 7 this evening and again between 9 and 10 o'clock. I had some conversation with William Hayes in the store about buying me out. Gussie met me in the street after the train arrived and I went with her to market. JULY 26 SUNDAY - Before breakfast, George and I went over to Oil Mill Pond and took a good wash. I went to church in the morning. Gussie came down at noon with Georgie to Sunday School. After school, I came home with him and left Gussie to the afternoon meeting. After tea, Gussie, Georgie and I took a walk up West Street into Stevens and Spring Streets. JULY 27 MONDAY - Pleasant. I have worked in the shop. After tea, I went up to F. G. Jackson's to see about the $20.00 he owes me for the looking glass frame I made for him July 2. He promises to pay it this week. From there, I went up to Agnes Keeler's to see the size of the three pictures I framed for them last summer; also to inquire the price of braiding a hair watch chain for John Cave in New York. From there, I went to market. The proprietor of the Turner House failed this morning. The sheriff was there and attached his property. JULY 28 TUESDAY - I have worked in the shop. A shop call after dinner to put the price of No. 7-6-8-and 4back again to the old price, we having made a deduction on these qualities during dull times about 6 weeks or two months ago. We got the price on all except the No. 6 which Mr. Crofut would not give the 2%, but we agreed on 1% advance. Elijah Morris and myself were the committee to wait upon the boss. I worked all the P.M. in misery with a sick headache. Gussie went to market in the evening. I cut George's hair and helped Mr. Pond set out celery plants. JULY 29 WEDNESDAY - Went to New York. Levi Wildman came to the store to see my business. He thinks of buying a business of some kind. I got two pounds of coffee and one pound of tea at the Great American Tea Company. I brought up two pictures to Oscar Serine which I framed for him ' 'Lost' and 'Saved' in Rose and Gilt. I delivered them after tea and then went to Mr. Richards for my boots and shoes for Georgie which he has mended today. JULY 30 THURSDAY - Pleasant. After breakfast, I turned grindstone for Mr. Pond to grind his scythe up to Father Griswold's barn. I have worked in the shop. Today has been the first for a long time that we have had full work in the shop. After tea, Bell came home with Georgie. He has been up to Grandmas since yesterday. Gussie went to market in the evening, while I, being tired, stayed home. Gussie bought a pair of heeled slippers - $1.15. JULY 31 FRIDAY - Pleasant and warm. Real Dog Days' weather. I have worked in the shop. Oscar Serine cashed my account - $20.00. In the evening, I called to see F. G. Jackson per agreement to get my pay for looking glass frames but he was away to New York. I went to market in the evening.
1868-07